Posts tagged unionizing
KU pharmacy techs narrowly lose union election, claim some votes weren’t counted
May 26, 2026 // “Disliking the results of an election objectively administered by an impartial state agency should not lead to baseless claims by the IAM Union intended to misinform employees and the public,” the health system’s written statement said in part. The larger bargaining unit, which includes the health system’s 39th Street main campus, voted 19-20 against unionizing. The unit had 105 eligible voters. Two ballots were voided. The second bargaining unit, including a specialty pharmacy in the Southlake Business Park in Lenexa, voted 9-10 against unionizing. That unit had 43 eligible voters.
Matt Hardy explains how pro wrestlers unionizing could put smaller companies out of business
May 19, 2026 // Hardy would go on to say that getting unionization would be great for the performers at bigger companies, as it could also mean that the independent contractor status at smaller promotions might have to TRULY be independent contractor deals: “As far as being able to have some sort of unionization, where there was some sort of control and people were regulated, that would be great. The smaller companies, I feel like they would have to kind of carve out their own niche where you would have to be independent contractors, but you would truly be independent contractors. I feel like myself and Jeff, we are like the epitome of independent contractors right now at TNA. As long as we do their TV dates, we’re all good. We can do whatever we want.”
Local orchestra members one step closer to unionizing
April 25, 2026 // The group decided to unionize under the American Federation of Musicians in the spring of 2024. However, their status has not been formally recognized by TCVO’s board of directors.
Teamsters Secure UPS Buyout Cap; NLRB Calls Amazon to the Bargaining Table
April 9, 2026 // Under the Driver Choice Program (DCP), UPS employees can opt to receive a $150,000 payment to accept early retirement from the company. The severance package would also include retirement benefits earned over their tenure, including pension and healthcare... The NLRB and Amazon have had an ongoing feud as unionization efforts across the company have popped up. In a separate complaint filed in September 2024, the Seattle-based Big Tech firm alleged that the NLRB improperly influenced the 2022 Staten Island election, and said the board’s structure was unconstitutional. That suit is still pending.
Op-ed: Local control in jeopardy if Virginia mandates collective bargaining
March 29, 2026 // Virginia used to prohibit collective bargaining for state and local employees. In 2021, Democrats changed the law to allow local governments to engage in collective bargaining. Fewer than 20 jurisdictions have chosen to do so, and it hasn’t gone well where it’s been tried. That’s why unions made this bill their top priority during the legislative session. It requires collective bargaining for wages, benefits and working conditions for state and local government employees.
Build-A-Bear workers fired for unionizing in St. Louis, dispute claims
March 1, 2026 // The company has said the employees were terminated for “fraudulent activity related to improper use of customer rewards and Bonus Club Reward Certificates,” not for union activity. In a public statement, Build-A-Bear said all individuals terminated acknowledged understanding company policies and that many admitted to violating them. The company said it applies its policies consistently and will present its case through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) process.
ARIZONA: City High, Paulo Freire teachers say union vote stalled by board
February 26, 2026 // Tuesday’s lesson took place during a rally of about three dozen parents, teachers, staff and students aiming to generate support for a unionizing effort. Teachers at the CITY Center for Collaborative Learning, a nonprofit that includes City High and two middle schools: Paulo Freire Freedom School, University and Downtown campuses voted with a supermajority in December to form a union.
What’s Working: Colorado union membership fell 22% last year. Labor unions say they didn’t see a decline.
February 24, 2026 // Still, 2025 was rough for local labor organizers. It began with President Donald Trump ending collective bargaining rights for workers at many federal agencies over security concerns. In May, Gov. Jared Polis vetoed a union-supported bill to end a state policy requiring workers to vote a second time to start a union. And by the year’s end, petitions to unionize in Colorado fell to 34, down 40% from the prior year when the post-pandemic peak averaged more than one new filing a week.
Sex workers at Pahrump brothel are unionizing, alleging unfair contracts and conditions
February 12, 2026 // To unionize, the workers must first prove to federal labor authorities that they are employees rather than independent contractors, who have limited bargaining rights. Then they will vote on joining the union and begin negotiating a new contract. Sheri’s Ranch, which was established in 2001 by former Chicago homicide detective Chuck Lee, maintains that the workers are not eligible for collective bargaining. “We respect the right of individuals to express their views on workplace structure,” Communications Director Jeremy Lemur told The Indy in a written statement. “At the same time, Sheri’s Ranch remains confident in the longstanding legal and regulatory framework that has supported independent contractors operating their own businesses in association with the resort for decades.”
How unionizing hurt VW (it has nothing to do with wages)
December 19, 2025 // “You’ll find that the pay scales of the non-union automakers in these right-to-work states are pretty competitive with UAW,” Payne says — but in the ability to adapt to changing markets. Unions add a layer of management that makes it more difficult to shift production, change processes, and retool lines.