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Japan's Immigration Services Agency has proposed allowing certain highly skilled foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 program to receive residence periods of up to five years. Currently, these workers generally receive permits ranging from six months to three years depending on factors such as employment stability and tax records. The longer status would provide greater stability for foreign workers and employers that rely on skilled international labor. The proposal reflects Japan's efforts to address labor shortages while creating a more predictable system for workers who plan to remain employed in the country long term.

A new round of layoffs at Google is eliminating 52 jobs across Washington state, with affected employees working primarily in the Seattle, Kirkland, and Redmond areas. The cuts include workers in technical and engineering positions and come as the technology company continues restructuring its workforce amid heavy investment in artificial intelligence. Several Seattle-area Google offices are affected, including locations on Boren Avenue, Mercer Street, and Westlake Avenue. The layoffs reflect the continued restructuring of the technology sector as major companies shift resources toward AI and other strategic priorities.

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in schools, teachers' unions are pushing for greater involvement in decisions about how AI is introduced and used in education. Unions argue that teachers should receive meaningful training and have a voice in determining how new technologies affect their workload, teaching practices, and working conditions. The issue is part of a broader labor debate over whether AI will complement educators or ultimately change or reduce the roles they perform. The push for teacher involvement demonstrates how unions are adapting collective bargaining and workplace advocacy to address the effects of emerging technology.

Nearly 1,300 pilots at Allegiant Travel have ratified a new two-year collective bargaining agreement negotiated with the Teamsters union. The agreement provides pilots with higher hourly wages, improved retirement benefits, and changes to workplace rules. The deal follows years of contentious negotiations, including pilot pickets at 22 U.S. airports in 2025 demanding better pay and scheduling conditions. The agreement illustrates how sustained union pressure and collective bargaining can result in improvements to compensation and working conditions.

A federal appeals court has revived a former Austin police officer's sex discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against the City of Austin. The Fifth Circuit ruled that the allegations—including claims that the police department forced the officer to quit and placed her on a performance improvement plan—could support a discrimination claim and should be decided by a jury. The ruling also relied on circuit precedent broadening what can qualify as an adverse employment action under Title VII. The case could have implications for how courts evaluate workplace discrimination and retaliation claims brought by employees.

A planned restructuring of the U.S. Department of Agriculture would relocate more than half of its 4,600 Washington-based employees to regional offices, prompting strong resistance from workers and their unions. Surveys indicate that most affected employees do not intend to relocate, with many citing family responsibilities, spouses' jobs, and the financial burden of moving. Unions warn that large-scale departures could disrupt agricultural research, international trade programs, food aid, and nutrition assistance. The situation demonstrates how government restructuring can create major labor-relations challenges when employees are asked to relocate or risk losing their positions.

Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss the remaining criminal charge against David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who was arrested during a protest against federal immigration raids. Huerta and his attorneys argued that the prosecution was an attempt to silence labor leaders and immigrant rights advocates, while prosecutors cited his compliance with court conditions in seeking dismissal. His arrest prompted widespread support from labor organizations and renewed attention to the relationship between immigration enforcement and worker advocacy. The case underscores the prominent role unions continue to play in defending both labor rights and immigrant workers.

Workers at London's Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum are voting on whether to strike over concerns about pay, working conditions, and protections during extreme heat. The Public and Commercial Services Union is calling for higher wages, guaranteed access to drinking water, and stronger workplace policies to address increasingly frequent heatwaves. Union members argue that existing safety measures are inadequate, while museum officials say they have already taken steps to protect employees. The dispute demonstrates how climate change is becoming an increasingly important issue in collective bargaining and workplace health and safety.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft risk evaluation concluding that the industrial solvent 1,1,2-trichloroethane poses an unreasonable risk to workers exposed to it during manufacturing and industrial use. The chemical is commonly used in the production of plastics and other industrial products, with exposure linked to serious health concerns. The finding could lead to new federal restrictions requiring employers to reduce workplace exposure or phase out certain uses of the solvent. The decision highlights the role of workplace safety regulations in protecting employees from hazardous chemicals.

The ABA issued a formal ethics opinion stating that government attorneys have a professional obligation to report colleagues who engage in unlawful conduct or serious ethical violations. The guidance emphasizes that lawyers working for the government remain bound by professional responsibilities even when facing pressure from supervisors or political officials. Legal experts say the opinion reinforces accountability and ethical standards within public service. Although not directly focused on collective bargaining, the guidance has important implications for workplace ethics, employee responsibilities, and professional conduct within government agencies.