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In the News
Opinion: The Left Hid César Chávez’s Rapes And Turned Him Into A Saint
March 20, 2026 // Ariana Guajardo for Daily Wire
So why is a street in Austin named after César Chávez? Why did his statue watch me as I walked to class? The answer is clear: ethnic tokenism. It was fitting for Bill Clinton to award him a Presidential Medal of Freedom and for Joe Biden to display his bust in the Oval Office. Chávez represents the Hispanic worker the political Left wishes we all were: obedient to a union boss and beholden to collectivist ideology. The UFW announced it will not be celebrating César Chávez Day this year amid the allegations. The idol all Hispanics were once expected to adore is finally falling from his pedestal. My hope is that we do not replace him with another.
About 200 South Jersey healthcare workers vote to unionize
March 20, 2026 // Zach Blackburn for New Jersey Globe
Health Professionals and Allied Employees, the state’s top healthcare labor union, said about 160 workers at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice will unionize after a 95-27 vote. The group — which includes registered nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, and others — said they sought unionization due to unrealistic workloads. In a separate election, registered nurse case managers at Inspira Health voted 22-2 to unionize. The RN case managers, who help set up post-hospital care for patients, are based in Inspira’s medical centers in Vineland, Elmer, and Bridgeton.
Opinion: California’s Kitchen Nightmare: Union Demands Rise as Enrollment Falls
March 20, 2026 // Michael Hartney for The 74
Even though public school enrollment has fallen sharply since the pandemic, most California districts have continued adding staff. Now teachers unions are pressing districts to commit to more expensive labor contracts, even as the funding they receive remains tied to the number of students they serve. Earlier this month, teachers in two Sacramento-area school districts walked off the job after contract negotiations stalled, bringing the number of teacher strikes in California to six this school year. And more may be on the way. Unions in Los Angeles and Berkeley have already authorized strikes if negotiations fail. These strikes are not isolated incidents. They are part of a coordinated statewide pressure campaign by the California Teachers Association (CTA) called “We Can’t Wait,”
Harris County becomes first in Texas to allow employees to organize with new ‘consultation policy’
March 19, 2026 // John Lomax V. for Houston Chronicle
Harris County commissioners voted 3-1 Thursday to let many county workers choose a labor organization to advocate for workplace policy changes, elevate grievances and make recommendations to Commissioners Court. The "employee consultation policy" does not permit employees to engage in collective bargaining, which state law blocks most government employees in Texas from doing. Government employees in Texas cannot strike.
Arbitrator rejects police union’s retaliation claims against Whitehall chief
March 19, 2026 // Joe Durbin for Fox 28
An independent arbitrator has rejected claims by the police union that Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen retaliated against officers, issuing a ruling this week regarding the discipline of former officer Brooke Cano. Arbitrator Jonathan Klein ruled there was no evidence to support allegations by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 that the chief targeted officers involved in union activities or those who failed to meet alleged ticket quotas. The decision follows a three-day hearing that reviewed union claims dating back to 2016.
Special Legal Notice for Michigan-Based Corewell Health Nurses Facing Teamsters Strike Threats
March 19, 2026 // Author for National Right To Work Foundation
In short, nurses who want to work during a union-ordered strike should ensure that they are not members of the union before they work during a strike. Unions can only fine their voluntary members for working during a strike. If an employee is not a union member, union officials have no power to fine or otherwise discipline him or her. Employees have a legal right not to be a member of the Teamsters or any other union. Employees who are union members, or are unsure as to what they might have signed, have a legal right to resign their membership at any time. So if an employee who joined a union wants to work during a strike, the employee can resign from the union before returning to work.
LAUSD teachers union says it will go on strike April 14 if no contract is reached
March 19, 2026 // ByJory Rand, Abigail Velez for ABC 7
The district has offered about an 8% raise plus a bonus. The district says it's also proposed reducing class sizes but warns the cost of a larger deal could strain its budget long-term. Teachers have been working without a contract since last year. Even though they just reached a new deal less than three years ago, the 30,000-plus members of the teachers union say it's not enough.
Largest rail union backs $85 billion Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger
March 19, 2026 // Tom Joyce for The Center Square
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) sent a letter to lawmakers backing the deal. Union leaders said they evaluate railroad mergers based on how they impact workers’ jobs and long-term stability. “SMART-TD evaluates every merger based on how it will affect our members’ jobs, livelihoods, and long-term stability,” SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson wrote. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announced the proposed merger last July. Supporters argue that the deal would create a freight rail network spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast, modernize freight transportation, and improve the country’s supply chain.
Connecticut: Lamont’s Golden Age; Commentary
March 19, 2026 // Red Jahncke for The Red Line
A few days ago, CT Mirror reported that “The administration recently reached tentative, four-year agreements with 10 [union bargaining] units that collectively represent nearly 20,000 state employees [almost half the workforce].” Lamont released only wage increase information, nothing about reform of COVID-era remote work privileges. Lamont’s spokesman said “Because these negotiations are still underway, we are unable to provide additional comment.” Lamont wants union members to know he aims to give them four more years of robust 4.5% annual pay raises comprised of a 2.5% general wage increase (GWI) plus a 2.0% “step increase,” a deal identical to the one he gave them four years ago, which followed two years of 5.5% increases. These ten increases compound to about 60%.
NIH Withdraws Recognition from Union Representing Grad Students and Postdocs
March 19, 2026 // Proskauer for JD Supra
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has withdrawn recognition from the union representing its postdoctoral and graduate student fellows. In the email announcing the decision, the NIH stated it withdrew recognition because the fellows are not “employees.” Unionization at federal agencies like the NIH is regulated by the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), rather than the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which oversees labor relations in the private sector.
BP to Begin Lockout of Union Workers at Indiana Refinery, Expects No Impact on Operations
March 19, 2026
The lockout as retail fuel prices have surged on uncertainty over the Middle East conflict. It's unlikely that the planned lockout will affect fuel supply given that BP has prepared for more than a year to take over refinery operations if it couldn't reach an agreement with it union workers. BP said negotiations with the local union have led to no progress on proposals it views as critical to the refinery's future. The company also cited a continued state of labor uncertainty, including possibility of a walkout after 24-hours' notice.
CBS News union members hold 24-hour walkout over failed contract negotiations with management
March 19, 2026 // Brian Flood for Fox Business
Unionized CBS News 24/7 staffers believe they need "to protect their livelihoods during a period of uncertainty in broadcast news," pointing to "layoffs, editorial interference and political pressure" that have become "existential threats" following last year’s Paramount-Skydance merger, according to the guild.
US Department of Labor launches data visualization tool for union reporting forms, providing valuable insight on union spending
March 19, 2026 // author for Department of Labor
The data visualization tool release follows the department’s launch of a modern open data portal at data.dol.gov that is providing more transparency and efficiency for users to access data related to the American workforce. Both updates help bring the department into alignment with the Federal Data Strategy established during President Trump’s first administration.
The Rise of Portable Benefits
March 19, 2026 // Liya Palagashvili for Labor Market Matters
States like Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming have already enacted voluntary portable benefits frameworks. Others—including Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Georgia—have launched pilot programs. And a growing number of states—from Connecticut to Kansas to Hawaii—are actively considering legislation.
Cesar Chavez allegations prompt UFW to skip Cesar Chavez Day events
March 18, 2026 // Cecilo Padilla for CBS Sacramento
The United Farm Workers union on Tuesday acknowledged allegations against co-founder Chavez, calling reports involving possible abuse of young women or minors "crushing." "Some of the reports are family issues, and not our story to tell or our place to comment on. Far more troubling are allegations involving abuse of young women or minors. Allegations that very young women or girls may have been victimized are crushing," the union stated. In response to the allegations, the UFW noted that it would not be taking part in any of the upcoming Cesar Chavez Day activities.
Over 100 Windstream North Carolina Employees Vote to Free Themselves of Unwanted CWA Union
March 18, 2026 // author for National Right To Work Foundation
Employees of telecommunications provider Windstream North Carolina LLC have successfully voted Communications Workers of America (CWA) union officials out of power at their workplaces across North Carolina. Windstream worker Grant Diorio kicked off his coworkers’ effort to oust the union by filing a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in January, impacting his work unit of roughly 120 Windstream employees. Diorio filed the petition with free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys.
Teamsters nurses authorize strike against Michigan-based Corewell Health East
March 18, 2026 // DeJanay Booth-Singleton for CBS Detroit
Corewell Health East nurses, who are represented by the Teamsters union, voted on Tuesday to authorize a strike against the health system over their contract. According to the union, the vote from 10,000 nurses at nine hospitals and campuses received 90% approval for authorization. The union says that the nurses, who have been discussing their contract since June 2025, demand a safe nurse-to-patient ratio, fair wages, affordable health insurance and better workplace safety.
174 Workers Employed At The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest In Nevada ‘Go Union’ With The International Association Of Machinists
March 18, 2026
Public defenders bring fight for unionization to Beacon Hill
March 18, 2026 // Trajan Warren for WGBH
On Monday, those state workers pleaded their case for the right to unionize and advocate for higher pay. Workers at the organization that oversees the state public defender system, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, have been discussing unionization for years and took their concerns to the state lawmakers.
California Teachers Association president denies organization ordered coordinated strikes | California Politics 360
March 17, 2026 // Ashley Zavala for KCRA
"CTA doesn't line up contracts," said CTA President David Goldberg, stating local unions coordinated the effort that was then supported by the statewide group, not mandated. "It's the result of the conditions in which educators are working under decades of disinvestment." Goldberg noted that teachers statewide are asking for better pay and more resources for students. He said school districts in the Sacramento area, such as Twin Rivers and Natomas, are "hoarding millions." But school districts are not cash cows or revenue generators. Several school districts impacted are struggling financially, and they rely on state tax dollars. California has been grappling with back-to-back-to-back state budget deficits that are expected to persist over the next several years.