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NLRB Challenges California’s AB 288 as Preempted by Federal Law

October 22, 2025 // Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP for JD Supra

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed suit against the State of California and the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) seeking to block enforcement of Assembly Bill 288, a new law that would allow California to step into the NLRB’s shoes under certain conditions. The NLRB contends that AB 288 is preempted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and that it violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. As discussed in our prior update here, California recently joined New York in passing legislation that would allow state agencies to assume powers delegated to the NLRB by Congress

Arkansas teachers union’s dues revenue drops 36 percent in one year

October 21, 2025 // Maxford Nelsen for Freedom Foundation

A new Freedom Foundation analysis of tax returns filed by the Arkansas Education Association (AEA), the state teachers union and an affiliate of the Washington, D.C.-based National Education Association (NEA), shows a modest decline in AEA’s revenue from membership dues following the collective bargaining ban, but reveals a staggering 36 percent decline in union dues collection in the first full year following passage of SB 473. As a baseline, the AEA’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 tax return for the tax year ending August 31, 2020, reported nearly $2.4 million in revenue from membership dues.

Caregivers sue state over ‘false’ public employee classification

October 20, 2025 // Jamie A. Hope for Capitol Confidential

The practice drew widespread condemnation when the Mackinac Center brought it to light early in the previous decade. But the SEIU refused to accept defeat after the Legislature ended the practice. The union struck back with a 2012 ballot initiative that failed by a 56% to 44% vote. Following that failure, SEIU used various means to keep alive the idea that home care workers are employees of the government. The union got its second chance last year, when the Democratic trifecta under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer quietly enacted laws classifying home care workers as public employees and opening caregivers’ personal records to the union. As happened in 2005, the SEIU got its win, but with a very small vote.

Dollar store workers fight to improve jobs, even without a union

October 17, 2025 // Jesse Baum for Capital & Main

In 2022, Williams joined an organization that seemed, to him, like his best shot: Step Up Louisiana. Like several successful campaigns before it, Step Up organizes workers to improve their jobs, but stops short of calling for a union under the National Labor Relations Board. The approach, sometimes referred to as “premajority unionism,” is a natural fit for places like the South, with histories of public hostility to unions. Today, suggest experts, it may also be workers’ best bet for building power amid the hostility of the Trump administration.

UAW President Shawn Fain: “We Need More Than A Party – We Need A Movement”

October 14, 2025 // Jenny Brown for Jacobin

Fain, Speaking At A Center For Working-Class Politics & Jacobin Event, ‘Emphasized The Need For A Political Program That Addresses Workers’ Most Basic’ Issues - And ‘How A Broad Strike In 2028 Could Put Them Front & Center’

Former UAW president pleads guilty to embezzling union funds

October 14, 2025 // Ben Klayman for Reuters

Former United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams on Wednesday pleaded guilty to trying to embezzle union funds that prosecutors said he spent on Palm Springs vacations, golf, liquor and cigars. Appearing by video in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Williams entered his plea and apologized to the members of a union that faces a corruption probe by the office for Matthew Schneider, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Featured Research

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

NLRB Challenges California’s AB 288 as Preempted by Federal Law

Jamie A. Hope

Michigan Capitol Confidential

Caregivers sue state over ‘false’ public employee classification

Chip Rogers

Americans for Fair Treatment

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Jonathan Jones

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Bradley Byrne

Labor Unions Are Chipping Away at Worker Freedoms One Bill at a Time

Jenny Brown

UAW President Shawn Fain: “We Need More Than A Party – We Need A Movement”

Sean Higgins

Competitive Enterprise Institute

Impasse over NLRB nominee may be just what unions want