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October saw an uptick in U.S. services activity, marking the strongest expansion in eight months even as hiring remained sluggish amid tariff pressures and the ongoing government shutdown. The Institute for Supply Management’s index rose to 52.4, reflecting solid demand in sectors like retail and transportation. Economists noted that while new orders surged, weak employment and rising input costs suggest a mixed outlook for the broader economy heading into the fourth quarter.

Unionized Starbucks baristas have voted to authorize an open-ended strike if a contract with the company isn’t reached by November 13, coinciding with Starbucks’s Red Cup Day. Starbucks Workers United, representing over 9,000 employees nationwide, said potential strikes could begin in more than 25 cities and expand if negotiations stall. The union accuses Starbucks of stalling talks and committing unfair labor practices, while the company maintains that any agreement must reflect its already strong retail jobs.

Musicians with the True Concord Voices and Orchestra in Tucson remain in limbo as the federal government shutdown stalls their unionization efforts. The National Labor Relations Board, which has been unable to rule on disputes due to a lack of quorum, has left the musicians’ petition for recognition unresolved. True Concord’s management has declined to voluntarily recognize the union, frustrating players who say collective bargaining would protect their rights, improve pay and safety conditions, and bring parity with other unionized orchestras in the region.

Just days before a planned strike, Temple University Health and two major hospital unions reached a new three-year contract covering more than 2,600 nurses and staff. The agreement includes wage increases of over 3% per year, expanded safety measures such as new panic buttons and security officers, and commitments to hire more staff to ease workloads. Union leaders called the deal a defensive but meaningful victory that preserves key benefits and improves conditions for hospital workers.

As Tesla shareholders prepare to vote on Elon Musk’s proposed $1 trillion compensation package, opposition from labor unions and Democratic state officials is intensifying. Critics argue the plan would cement Musk’s control and reward unchecked power, while Republican-led pension funds, including Florida’s, have expressed support. Despite resistance from major proxy advisers and public pension leaders, observers say the deal is likely to pass given Musk’s strong retail investor base and loyal following.

A new Department of Homeland Security rule will end automatic extensions for immigrants renewing work permits, forcing many with pending applications out of the workforce as backlogs persist. The policy, effective Oct. 30, eliminates the 540-day grace period introduced under the Biden administration and will affect asylum seekers, refugees, and dependent visa holders. Immigration advocates warn the change will harm workers and employers alike, while DHS officials argue it’s necessary to strengthen vetting and security.

Severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers caused more than 20 disruption incidents at U.S. airports on Saturday, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who called it one of the worst days since the government shutdown began. Major hubs like Los Angeles International Airport issued ground stops, while thousands of flights were delayed nationwide. Union leaders warned that unpaid controllers are exhausted and overworked, heightening safety risks as the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight.

As the U.S. government shutdown enters its fourth week, American Federation of Government Employees president Everett Kelley urged lawmakers to immediately pass a clean funding bill and restore pay to federal workers. The union, which represents more than 800,000 employees, warned that missed paychecks have forced many to rely on food banks while political gridlock continues. Kelley called the ongoing shutdown “a national disgrace,” emphasizing that public servants should not be caught in partisan disputes.

Unionized workers in the St. Louis area voted to reject Boeing’s latest five-year contract proposal, extending their strike into a 13th week. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers said the deal failed to meet demands for better retirement contributions and bonuses, while Boeing maintained its offer was already “market-leading.” The strike has delayed deliveries of F-15EX fighter jets and intensified pressure on the company ahead of its upcoming quarterly earnings report.

Contract talks between Seneca County officials and the Sheriff’s Police Benevolent Association appear to have stalled after more than a year of negotiations. The union filed an impasse notice with the New York State Public Employment Relations Board, which could lead to mediation and possibly arbitration if no deal is reached. Deputies have been working without a contract since December, and the union argues that low pay is driving recruitment and retention problems. County leaders, meanwhile, say they must balance fair wages with maintaining financial stability for taxpayers.