Catherwood LibraryILR School

A new survey found that roughly one‑third of UK employers expect to reduce hiring because of upcoming labor reforms. Businesses say the changes—such as expanded worker protections and new employment rules—will raise costs and administrative burdens. Supporters of the reforms argue they will improve job security and workplace standards. The findings highlight ongoing tensions between employer groups and policymakers over labor regulation.

A labor dispute involving Kenya Airports Authority workers caused delays at Nairobi’s main international airport. Staff raised concerns about pay, job security, and working conditions, prompting slowdowns that disrupted passenger processing. Management said it was working to resolve the issues and restore normal operations. The government urged both sides to continue negotiations.

New federal data shows the U.S. added 130,000 jobs in January, far surpassing expectations and easing fears of a sharp labor‑market slowdown. Health care, social assistance, and construction drove most of the gains, while some white‑collar sectors continued to shed jobs. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, suggesting continued resilience despite high‑profile layoffs. These numbers will likely influence upcoming labor‑policy debates, including wage standards and workforce‑training initiatives.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ended its multi‑year case accusing SpaceX of firing engineers involved in an open letter critical of Elon Musk. The agency said a recent National Mediation Board opinion places SpaceX under the Railway Labor Act, not the National Labor Relations Act. This shift removes the NLRB’s authority over the company and effectively ends the complaint. The decision marks a major win for SpaceX and signals the NLRB will avoid future cases involving the firm.

A planned multi‑day rail strike in Spain was halted after unions reached an agreement with the government addressing safety and infrastructure concerns. The strike had been expected to disrupt travel nationwide, with operators already adjusting schedules and canceling services. Union leaders argued that deteriorating safety conditions and insufficient maintenance required urgent action. The last‑minute deal allowed train services to resume, easing pressure on commuters and travelers.

A breakdown in contract negotiations between educators and the San Francisco Unified School District led teachers to launch their first strike in decades. The union is seeking higher wages, better healthcare coverage, and staffing increases, particularly in special‑education roles. District officials cite a significant budget deficit and say they cannot meet the union’s full demands, offering a smaller raise instead. Talks are ongoing as schools remain closed and both sides work toward a compromise.

Spain’s train drivers, represented by the Semaf union, are launching a three‑day national strike to protest what they describe as a dangerous decline in rail safety. The walkout comes after two deadly derailments in January that killed nearly 50 people and exposed widespread maintenance failures across multiple routes. Semaf argues that chronic understaffing, insufficient investment, and deteriorating infrastructure have created unsafe working conditions for rail employees and passengers alike. The union says the crashes mark a breaking point and is demanding immediate hiring, stronger safety protocols, and major upgrades to the network. While the government insists it has invested heavily in the system, workers maintain that the recent tragedies show those measures have not been enough to protect staff or the public.

Jess Berthelsen, the longtime head of SIK—Greenland’s largest labor federation—strongly rejected Donald Trump’s renewed push to annex the territory, emphasizing that Greenland’s workers and communities want control over their own future. Representing thousands of public- and private‑sector employees, Berthelsen said Trump’s claims about foreign military presence in Greenland’s waters do not match what workers and local industries actually see. He stressed that SIK’s priorities are improving wages, working conditions, and long‑term economic independence through agreements with Greenland’s government and Danish employers. Berthelsen warned that U.S. threats of force undermine the cooperative relationship Greenland’s labor movement has historically maintained with American partners. He reiterated that Greenland’s workforce is committed to self‑determination and will not accept outside attempts to dictate the island’s political or economic direction.

Nearly 900 Google employees signed an open letter urging the company to be more transparent about how its technology is used by U.S. immigration enforcement agencies. Workers expressed alarm that Google continues providing cloud services and other support to agencies like ICE and CBP, especially as recent federal operations have become more aggressive and resulted in civilian deaths. Several employees said they felt misled about Google’s involvement in government surveillance and enforcement work, arguing that the company is drifting away from its stated values. They also criticized leadership, including CEO Sundar Pichai, for not addressing the extent of Google’s government partnerships. The letter calls for Google to withdraw from all DHS‑related work, protect employees from immigration enforcement, and hold an all‑hands meeting to address concerns.