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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.

A coalition of major labor unions and advocacy groups is urging pension funds and other large investors to reject Tesla’s proposed $1 trillion pay package for CEO Elon Musk. The campaign, announced Wednesday, comes ahead of a Nov. 6 shareholder vote on the deal, which could grant Musk the full payout over 10 years if Tesla meets certain performance goals. Union leaders argue the plan concentrates too much power in Musk’s hands and diverts value from workers whose retirement funds are tied to Tesla stock. The American Federation of Teachers and the Communications Workers of America are among those leading the effort, joining proxy advisors Glass Lewis and ISS in opposing the proposal.

A federal judge approved the Amazon Labor Union’s request to intervene in a lawsuit over New York’s new labor law that expands state authority in private-sector labor relations. The law, similar to one passed in California, is being challenged by Amazon and the NLRB as conflicting with federal labor statutes. If upheld, these state laws could reshape how union disputes are handled nationwide.

A tentative labor agreement has been reached between commercial producers and the union representing thousands of actors, dancers, and stage managers, bringing some relief to Broadway. However, musicians represented by AFM Local 802 remain in active negotiations and have authorized a strike. While actors await a ratification vote, the musicians’ union continues pushing for a deal, with both sides hoping to avoid a disruptive work stoppage.