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Thousands of Philadelphia municipal workers are off the job as a citywide strike continues, disrupting essential services like trash pickup, recreation center hours, and 911 dispatch. The walkout, led by AFSCME District Council 33, stems from stalled contract talks over wages, benefits, and working conditions. While the city has offered a 13% raise over four years, union members argue it's not enough to address the rising cost of living. With no new negotiations scheduled, the labor standoff highlights growing tensions over public-sector compensation and respect for frontline workers.

More than 600 workers at the Oregon Department of Transportation are facing layoffs after the state legislature failed to pass a long-anticipated funding package. With a $300 million budget gap and no legislative solution in sight, the agency says it has no choice but to cut a significant share of its operational workforce, including those responsible for road maintenance and inspections. Unionized employees and labor advocates have raised alarms about both the suddenness and scale of the cuts. The situation underscores growing tensions between budget constraints and the protection of public-sector jobs in essential services.

A federal appeals court has temporarily allowed President Trump to remove Democratic appointee Susan Tsui Grundmann from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), pausing a lower court ruling that had reinstated her. The court suggested that statutory limits on removing FLRA members may unlawfully restrict the president’s authority over executive agencies. Labor advocates worry the removal could deadlock the board, which is central to resolving disputes between federal unions and agencies. The case highlights broader legal battles over presidential control of independent labor-related agencies.

The D.C. Circuit upheld an NLRB finding that George Washington University Hospital engaged in bad-faith bargaining with 1199SEIU, emphasizing how aggressive employer proposals can violate labor law. The court found the hospital’s persistent push for expansive management rights, a no-strike clause without arbitration, and elimination of binding dispute resolution reflected unlawful surface bargaining. The ruling reaffirms that even during tough negotiations, employers must uphold the integrity of the bargaining process and avoid tactics that would render union representation meaningless.

Dozens of federal labor mediators have returned to work at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) following a court order halting mass layoffs, but the agency’s future remains in jeopardy. The Trump administration is pushing for a 2026 budget that would slash FMCS funding from $50 million to just $7 million, effectively dismantling the agency and eliminating most staff. Labor advocates warn that shutting down FMCS will especially harm smaller employers and lead to more frequent and prolonged strikes. The move has drawn criticism from both union and management-side attorneys, and further litigation is expected.

Roughly 9,000 jobs are being eliminated in a new round of layoffs as part of a broader restructuring effort at one of the tech industry’s largest employers. The cuts—impacting less than 4% of the company’s workforce—span multiple teams, regions, and experience levels. Leadership says the goal is to streamline management and improve agility in a shifting market. This move follows earlier layoffs in May and June, reflecting continued cost-cutting trends across the tech sector.

Starting today, nearly 3 million Australian workers will receive a 3.5% pay raise under the Fair Work Commission’s decision, resulting in a real wage increase above inflation. The Albanese Labor Government advocated for this change, which boosts the national minimum wage and benefits one in four Australian employees—many of whom are low-paid, casual, part-time, or young workers. Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth emphasized the government's commitment to lifting wages to ease cost-of-living pressures.

A day after Sharp HealthCare announced over 300 layoffs, 40 medical office workers across six San Diego County locations voted unanimously to join SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. They join 6,000 other Sharp employees already in the union, many of whom recently secured a contract with pay raises up to 34% and stronger benefits. Workers cited the desire for better patient care and job stability as key reasons for unionizing amid rising economic pressures. The layoffs, largely targeting nonclinical roles, come as the health system struggles with labor costs and declining reimbursements.

Nearly 10,000 Philadelphia municipal workers went on strike Tuesday after contract talks broke down between the city and AFSCME District Council 33, the city’s largest blue-collar union. The walkout is disrupting trash collection, rec center operations, and 911 call centers. Workers are demanding higher wages, better health coverage, and bonuses for essential work during the pandemic. City officials offered a 13% raise over four years, but union members say it’s not enough to match rising living costs. The strike highlights growing frustration among public sector workers seeking livable wages and respect for their service.

Labor leaders are warning that the Senate’s proposed clean energy cuts could trigger massive job losses. Sean McGarvey of North America’s Building Trades Unions called the bill “the biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country,” equating it to canceling over 1,000 Keystone XL pipeline projects. The legislation threatens construction jobs tied to renewable energy by slashing subsidies and imposing new taxes on wind and solar.