Labor Relations

Berlin – November 03, 2026 -- Employers in Germany's metal and electrical industry opened the second bargaining round with a 1.3% wage increase effective July 2028, following 20 months without a raise, according to a commentary in nd.DerTag. Over a 26-month term, the commentary calculates, that equals 0.6% per year.

Offer sits below inflation and productivity gains

The commentary cites inflation of 3% and productivity growth of 1.5%, both well above the annualized offer. It also points to extraordinary profits in aerospace, electrical and medical technology and the defense industry. The auto industry also reports profits, though at lower levels.

CHICAGO – November 03, 2026 -- Nearly 1,200 members of Teamsters Local 727 have launched an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike against parking operators across the Chicagoland area, after voting down the employers' "last, best, and final" contract offer.

Union cites bad-faith bargaining and files ULP charges against employers

The employers bargain collectively through the Chicago Parking Association under the Master Parking Agreement. Local 727 says it has filed, or is preparing, ULP charges alleging refusal to bargain, failure to provide information, unilateral changes to working conditions, retaliation and unlawful surveillance.

"These companies broke the law and forced our members onto the strike line," said John T. Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. He said members are prepared to stay out for as long as it takes.

BOSTON – November 01, 2026 -- More than 4,000 registered nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital will begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on November 12 after rejecting Mass General Brigham's (MGB) "last, best, and final" contract offer. The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), which represents the nurses, describes the action as the largest open-ended strike in Massachusetts history.

The Brigham MNA Bargaining Committee issued the 10-day strike notice on Sunday, November 1. Members voted to reject the offer on October 23. Talks with MGB resume on November 9, three days before the strike deadline.

"We are ready to strike but are equally prepared to negotiate a fair contract," said Kelly Morgan, RN, a labor and delivery nurse and chair of the bargaining committee.

Nurses demand limits on temporary staff, a float differential and insurance choice

The union's contract priorities include:

Los Angeles – October 29, 2026 -- A group of 700 Waste Management workers in Los Angeles and Orange counties has ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the company, Teamsters Local 396 reported.

Republic Services deal for 1,900 Teamsters preceded the Waste Management vote

The Waste Management ratification follows a contract ratified shortly before by 1,900 Republic Services Teamsters, also represented by Local 396. Together, the two agreements cover 2,600 sanitation workers in Southern California.

Victor Mineros, Local 396 Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the Teamsters Solid Waste and Recycling Division, said the union is not finished, adding that "the job's not done yet." He said Local 396 is working to secure agreements at other area haulers that are just as strong.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – October 29, 2026 -- Nurses and healthcare professionals at Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association (BVNA) delivered a petition to management at 4 p.m. Monday, demanding a contract that retains experienced clinicians, after the bargaining unit shrank by approximately half over the past several years.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) represents the clinicians. The two sides next meet for bargaining on October 28.

Management has moved on early-career wages, but veteran pay remains open

The union acknowledges progress on wages for nurses and healthcare professionals early in their careers, a step aimed at attracting new hires. Tamaryn Clowdus, a physical therapist and Co-Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee at BVNA, said the unit also needs reasonable cost-of-living increases for clinicians who stayed through difficult years, calling for a focus on "both recruitment and retention."

WASHINGTON – October 22, 2026 -- Former MLB pitcher Tanyon Sturtze says a lockout is coming when Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, citing disputes over a potential salary cap, payroll requirements and player compensation.

Sturtze made the prediction on a special episode of Franchise Value, a sports-business program produced by CrossCheck Media Inc. and distributed through Biz Talk Today TV. Host Shana Orczyk Sissel, CEO and Founder of Banríon Capital Management, conducted the interview. "Unfortunately, it's definitely coming," Sturtze said, adding that he backs the players but expects a difficult fight for them.

Oakland – October 19, 2026 -- Thirty-seven warehouse workers at VISTAR, a subsidiary of Performance Food Group (PFG), voted to join Teamsters Local 853, giving the union wall-to-wall representation at the company's Oakland facility.

Warehouse vote adds to 30 drivers organized in 2025

The new members join 30 VISTAR drivers who became Teamsters in 2025. The warehouse workers organized to secure stronger wages, better benefits and improved working conditions, according to the union.

VISTAR spent more than $146,000 opposing the campaign

The Teamsters say VISTAR spent more than $146,000 on what the union describes as an aggressive union-busting effort during the organizing drive. The workers voted to unionize regardless.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, called the result another major step in building power at PFG.

Bellwood – October 16, 2026 -- Nearly 300 school bus drivers and monitors at Sunrise Transportation, now a subsidiary of Student Transportation of America, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 777 in Illinois.

Local 777 moves to negotiate a first collective bargaining agreement

Local 777 will work with the newly organized group to negotiate its first contract. The workers organized to secure fair pay, improved working conditions and better benefits.

Union cites wages, benefits and workplace protections as priorities

Local 777 President Jim Glimco said the workers transport students to and from school every day and deserve wages, benefits and workplace protections that reflect that responsibility.

Seattle – October 15, 2026 -- Nearly 650 Horizon Air pilots held an informational picket in Seattle and Boise, pressing the Alaska Air Group subsidiary to settle a contract after almost four years of negotiations.

The pilots are represented by Teamsters Local 1224. The union says talks cover wages, staffing and training shortages, and operational concerns affecting both employees and the airline's future.

Union says Horizon pilots fly nearly as much as Alaska Airlines pilots but are paid below industry standards

Local 1224 argues that Horizon pilots perform nearly the same amount of flying as their counterparts at parent-carrier Alaska Airlines. It blames the pay gap on the company's refusal to negotiate a fair agreement.

Henry Simkins, Chair of Local 1224's Horizon Executive Council, said management is "dragging its feet" on a contract and that operational dysfunction has become impossible to ignore in bargaining.

Seattle – October 14, 2026 -- Nearly 650 Horizon Air pilots, represented by Teamsters Local 1224, will hold an informational picket on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. They are pressing the airline to end what the union calls delay tactics and to agree to a collective bargaining agreement.

Pilots have bargained for nearly four years without a contract

The union says negotiations have run for nearly four years. Its priorities are wages, staffing and training shortages, and operational issues.

Union says Horizon pilots fly nearly as much as Alaska Airlines crews but earn less

Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. According to Teamsters Local 1224, its pilots perform nearly the same amount of flying as their counterparts at sister carrier Alaska Airlines. The union says their wages remain behind industry standard because the company is unwilling to bargain a fair deal.