Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, penned an op-ed in the New York Times explaining his decision to quit President Trump’s Business Council. Trumka explained that it became clear President Trump “had no intention of following through on his commitments to working people.” Trumka explained that President Trump failed to deliver on his promises regarding an infrastructure bill, renegotiating NAFTA, and “draining the swamp.” Finally, Trumka said that President Trump’s remarks regarding the violence in Charlottesville was the “last straw.”

According to the New York Times, the NAFTA renegotiation began with the United States lecturing Mexico and Canada on the failures of the trade deal. Particularly, the United States representatives are focused on the $55.6 billion trade deficit with Mexico. Mexico and Canada, however, believe the focus on the trade deficit is misplaced. While there may be some symbolic changes, there seem to be real differences regarding substantive issues.

The largest state employees union in Maine has agreed with the Governor on a new contract that increases wages but eliminates mandatory union dues. In other words, workers who chose not to join the union will not be required to pay union dues.