labor_relations

Boston – September 21, 2026 -- Nurses and clinicians across Mass General Brigham (MGB) will stage rallies outside the health system's World Medical Innovation Forum on September 22 and 23, escalating a labor dispute that culminates September 24 when 4,000 Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses vote on authorizing an open-ended strike.

Brigham nurses to vote September 24 on open-ended strike authorization

The vote runs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at multiple locations. A "yes" result would empower the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Bargaining Committee to call a strike, though no date has been set; nurses must give 10 days' legal notice before any walkout begins. The move follows a July 8 strike and a subsequent four-day lockout imposed by MGB, with the hospital system refusing additional negotiating sessions since August.

CHICAGO – September 18, 2026 -- Hundreds of Amazon Teamsters plan to rally at Chicago City Hall on September 15 to demand passage of an ordinance banning Amazon's third-party Delivery Service Partner model, escalating a labor fight that has already produced regulatory wins in New York City.

Alderwoman Julia Ramirez introduces bill requiring direct hire of delivery workers

The Delivery Protection Act, sponsored by Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (D-12th District), would compel delivery companies operating in Chicago -- including Amazon -- to license their facilities with the city and directly employ their workforce. The measure would effectively outlaw subcontracted delivery operations within city limits.

San Jose, Calif. – September 18, 2026 -- Over 60 drivers and mechanics at California Waste Solutions in San José have overwhelmingly ratified a new five-year labor contract, securing substantial wage increases, expanded protections for relief employees, and a ninth week of vacation time described by union officials as industry-leading.

Workers servicing 170,000 households secure long-term wage gains

The ratified agreement, negotiated by Teamsters Local 350, covers employees who provide residential recycling services to more than 170,000 households across the San José area. The five-year term locks in economic terms and revised work rules through the contract period.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- More than 200 sales and warehouse workers at Bimbo Bakeries have ratified a new six-year contract by a 90 percent vote, averting a strike that members had authorized earlier this month.

Workers authorized strike after pay dispute

Members of Teamsters Local 170 and Local 633 voted to strike after Bimbo Bakeries refused to offer area standard wages or real wage adjustments during negotiations. The threat of a walkout pushed the company back to the table with an improved offer.

New contract delivers wage gains and reduced health costs

The ratified six-year agreement includes pension improvements, wage increases, reduced health care costs, and job security protections for the bargaining unit. Jeff Padellaro, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 633 and Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference, said the workforce's determination forced Bimbo to recognize the Teamsters' contributions.

Reedsburg, Wis. – September 16, 2026 -- More than 40 Teamsters at Foremost Farms' butter production facility in Reedsburg, Wisconsin have ratified a new four-year contract delivering a 27 percent wage increase.

Workers secure retroactive pay and preserved health coverage

The agreement, reached by members of Teamsters Local 120, includes retroactive pay, additional vacation time, and preservation of TeamCare health coverage. It also delivers improved overtime protections, enhanced paid leave provisions, and measures addressing chronic staffing shortages at the plant.

Successor clause shields workers from ownership changes

The contract contains strong successor language designed to protect workers in the event of a plant sale, transfer, or change in ownership at the dairy cooperative facility.

Tukwila, Wash. – September 15, 2026 -- Nearly 500 public safety employees across King and Snohomish Counties have voted to affiliate with Teamsters Local 117, shifting representation away from the Public Safety Employees Union (PSEU) Local 519.

Workers approved the switch in an August 31 election

The vote, conducted by the union on Monday, August 31, 2026, resulted in an overwhelming majority favoring affiliation with Local 117. The workers span a range of classifications across numerous worksites in the two counties.

Certification from state labor board expected by year-end

The change in representation must first be certified by the Public Employment Relations Commission. Local 117 anticipates that certification will occur by the end of 2026, at which point the workers will formally become union members and Local 117 will be recognized as their exclusive bargaining representative.

Everett, Mass. – September 09, 2026 -- More than 1,300 workers at Encore Boston Harbor have walked off the job after management refused to bargain in good faith, disrupting operations at a resort that generated $847 million in revenue last year.

Teamsters authorized the strike with a 97 percent vote

On August 20, members of Teamsters Local 25 voted 97 percent in favor of authorizing a strike if a fair contract was not reached. The action jointly involves Teamsters Local 25 and UNITE HERE Local 26, covering roles across warehouse, horticulture, call center, cage cashier, limo driver, dispatcher, traffic attendant, valet, and guest experience positions.

Osnabrück – September 09, 2026 -- Volkswagen's cost-cutting program will not be enough to pull the automaker out of its crisis, according to Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in Bergisch Gladbach. "Savings alone will not save Volkswagen," Bratzel told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (NOZ).

Bratzel says two plant closures would suffice, not four

While VW must cut costs "drastically and quickly" due to mounting overcapacity at its domestic plants, Bratzel called the planned closure of four German sites excessive. "Two locations should be enough," he said, adding that job cuts combined with longer working hours without pay compensation could help lower production costs.

Helm, Calif. – September 07, 2026 -- Sixteen drivers at J.R. Simplot's Helm, California facility have voted to join Teamsters Local 431, launching a first-contract fight at one of the world's largest agribusinesses.

Drivers haul hazardous agricultural chemicals across Central Valley farms

The unit transports herbicides, pesticides and insecticides to retail customers and farms throughout the region. Workers hold Class A Commercial Driver's Licenses with hazardous materials hauling endorsements, a specialized credential required to move regulated agrochemicals on public roads.