Luke Hinrichs is a student at Harvard Law School.
In today’s news and commentaries, Amazon workers launch strike as Teamsters continue labor contract negotiations, Hyundai supplier terminates Alabama prison labor contract, and Starbucks Workers United baristas authorize strike.
Thousands of Amazon workers at seven facilities are on strike as of Thursday, December 19 as part of an organizing campaign launched by the Teamsters union. The workers at locations in Skokie, Illinois, Southern California, New York City, and Atlanta have joined picket lines after Amazon failed to respond to a Sunday deadline the Teamsters set for contract negotiations. As the holiday season approaches, the Teamsters are calling for the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history as Amazon workers at other facilities prepare to join in the nationwide action.
Ju-Young, a car-part manufacturer and supplier of Hyundai, ended its labor contract with the Alabama Department of Corrections after facing scrutiny for the company’s use of prison labor. Under the prison labor program in Alabama, thousands of incarcerated persons are compelled to work at private businesses with the risk of disciplinary action and adverse consequences if they refuse. The Alabama prison system collects 40 percent of an inmate’s paycheck, leaving a worker with an effective wage of only a few dollars per hour.
Starbucks Workers United baristas overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike as collective bargaining continues with Starbucks. 98 percent of voting members support initiating a strike, if necessary, to end unfair labor practices, resolve outstanding litigation between workers and Starbucks, and secure fair raises, benefits, and staffing. Bargaining delegates continue to negotiate with Starbucks for a comprehensive agreement. The Starbucks Workers United union represents workers at more than 525 stores across D.C. and 45 states.
Daily News & Commentary
Start your day with our roundup of the latest labor developments. See all
February 27
The Ninth Circuit allows Trump to dismantle certain government unions based on national security concerns; and the DOL set to focus enforcement on firms with “outsized market power.”
February 26
Workplace AI regulations proposed in Michigan; en banc D.C. Circuit hears oral argument in CFPB case; white police officers sue Philadelphia over DEI policy.
February 25
OSHA workplace inspections significantly drop in 2025; the Court denies a petition for certiorari to review a Minnesota law banning mandatory anti-union meetings at work; and the Court declines two petitions to determine whether Air Force service members should receive backpay as a result of religious challenges to the now-revoked COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
February 24
In today’s news and commentary, the NLRB uses the Obama-era Browning-Ferris standard, a fired National Park ranger sues the Department of Interior and the National Park Service, the NLRB closes out Amazon’s labor dispute on Staten Island, and OIRA signals changes to the Biden-era independent contractor rule. The NLRB ruled that Browning-Ferris Industries jointly employed […]
February 23
In today’s news and commentary, the Trump administration proposes a rule limiting employment authorization for asylum seekers and Matt Bruenig introduces a new LLM tool analyzing employer rules under Stericycle. Law360 reports that the Trump administration proposed a rule on Friday that would change the employment authorization process for asylum seekers. Under the proposed rule, […]
February 22
A petition for certiorari in Bivens v. Zep, New York nurses end their historic six-week-strike, and Professor Block argues for just cause protections in New York City.