Today's AFL-CIO press clips
POLITICS
Judge rules Trump can’t eliminate federal workers’ union bargaining
The Hill
By Ella Lee
June 25, 2025
“President Trump revoked our members’ union rights in retaliation for our advocacy on behalf of federal workers and the American people, and we are grateful that Judge Donato saw through his disingenuous ‘national security’ justification and has ordered the immediate restoration of their rights,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said.
Federal Worker Labor Contracts Restored by California Judge
Bloomberg Law
By Parker Purifoy
June 25, 2025
The Trump administration may not proceed with its efforts to nullify collective bargaining agreements for federal workers in nearly two dozen agencies after another judge issued an injunction to block an executive order stripping certain federal employees of union protections. The American Federation of Government Employees and other unions showed a “strong likelihood of irreparable harm from the loss of their collective bargaining and allied rights” under federal labor law, that the balance of hardships tips in their favor, and that an injunction would be in the public interest, Judge James Donato of the US District Court for the Northern District of California held Tuesday.
Court Halts Trump Order Curbing Federal Union Bargaining
Law360
By Beverly Banks
June 25, 2025
Several federal agencies must stop enforcing a part of President Donald Trump's executive order that would ax labor contracts covering agencies that have "national security" aims, a California federal judge ruled, finding unions showed they would suffer irreparable harm by losing collective bargaining rights. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge James Donato greenlit a preliminary injunction request from six unions seeking to block several federal agencies and their leaders from carrying out Section 2 of a March 27executive order titled "Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs."
Trump’s anti-union executive order has been blocked, again
Government Executive
By Erich Wagner
June 25, 2025
Afederal judge in California issued a preliminary injunction late Tuesday once again blocking President Trump’s executive order to strip two-thirds of the federal workforce of their right to join and be represented by a union, finding “persuasive evidence” that the measure was implemented in retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment.
Housing Department to Move Headquarters, Booting National Science Foundation
The New York Times
By Madeleine Ngo and Eileen Sullivan
June 25, 2025
“While Secretary Turner and his staff are busy enjoying private dining and a custom gym, N.S.F. employees are being displaced with no plan, no communication and no respect,” union representatives said in a statement. According to the union, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, the new space would include “palatial” amenities for Mr. Turner, such as a new executive dining room.
HUD to move to Virginia as Trump seeks to ‘rightsize’ federal presence in D.C.
The Washington Post
By Katie Shepherd, Laura Vozzella, Rachel Siegel, Teo Armus and Meagan Flynn
June 25, 2025
“This callous disregard for taxpayer dollars and NSF employees comes after the Administration already cut NSF’s budget, staff and science grants and forced NSF employees back into the office,” the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403, which represents many of those NSF employees, said in a statement.
US judge extends block on Trump's bid to eliminate Job Corps program
Reuters
By Daniel Wiessner and Blake Brittain
June 25, 2025
A U.S. judge on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from shutting down Job Corps, a major residential job training program for low-income youth. U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter in Manhattan said the abrupt shuttering of the 60-year-old program by the U.S. Department of Labor without authorization from Congress was likely illegal.
Trump administration is preparing to challenge budget law, U.S. officials say
The Washington Post
By Jeff Stein, Hannah Natanson, Carolyn Y. Johnson and Dan Diamond
June 25, 2025
The Trump administration is preparing to test a 1974 budget law by refusing to spend congressionally mandated funds, senior federal officials say — an escalation that could change the balance of power between Congress and the White House. In both internal communications and interviews, more than two dozen current and former employees across multiple agencies said the administration appears to be readying to push the boundaries of the law meant to prevent the president from unilaterally overturning spending decisions made by Congress.
Senate struggle over Medicaid cuts threatens progress on Trump’s big bill
AP
By Lisa Mascaro
June 25, 2025
One key unsettled issue stalling progress on President Donald Trump’s big bill in Congress is particularly daunting: How to cut billions from health care without harming Americans or the hospitals and others that provide care? Republicans are struggling to devise a solution to the health care problem their package has created. Already, estimates say 10.9 million more people would be without health coverage under the House-passed version of the bill. GOP senators have proposed steeper reductions, which some say go too far. “The Senate cuts in Medicaid are far deeper than the House cuts, and I think that’s problematic,” said GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
Rural communities brace for Medicaid cuts in Republicans' big bill
NBC News
By Julie Tsirkin and Olympia Sonnier
June 25, 2025
But GOP lawmakers have also included provisions in their so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” to crack down on the health care provider tax that states charge health care providers to help fund Medicaid, particularly in rural areas. Under the new proposal, the federal government would limit reimbursement to states, with some conservatives citing “abuse” of the program by undocumented migrants in blue states. A cap or freeze on that fee would cost rural hospitals, like the Hermann Area District Hospital, billions of dollars in funding, according to providers, physicians, hospital associations and even some Republican lawmakers. They include Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who argued the provision would “defund” rural hospitals.
Senate Republicans battle over rural hospital relief fund to offset Medicaid cuts
The Hill
By Alexander Bolton
June 25, 2025
Senate Republicans including Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) say a new proposal to create a $15 billion relief fund for rural hospitals is not adequate to make up for tens of billions of dollars in federal Medicaid funding cuts included in the Senate megabill to enact President Trump’s agenda. Collins told reporters Wednesday that the $15 billion relief fund floated by the Senate Finance Committee is likely not the final offer from Senate Republican leaders to address the concerns of several senators who worry the bill’s cap on health care provider taxes could put scores of rural hospitals out of business around the country.
The Hollywood Reporter
By McKinley Franklin
June 25, 2025
Scarlett Johansson, Matt Damon, Kristin Chenoweth, Danai Gurira and Zayn Malik are among a group of stars who signed an open letter, calling for Congress to reject proposed cuts to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and Medicaid outlined in the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” In the missive published Wednesday by nonprofit organization Feeding America, the entertainment industry figures are urging Congress “to reject cuts to these vital programs that help millions put food on their tables and provide access to health care.”
Some Republicans Join Democrats in Unease Over White House Budget Cuts
The New York Times
By Tony Romm
June 25, 2025
A handful of Senate Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday in sharp questioning of President Trump’s proposed budget cuts, exposing the depth of congressional unease with the White House’s new plan to pare back billions of dollars for foreign aid and public broadcasting. The rare display of bipartisan discord left the fate of that package uncertain at a moment when the Trump administration has signaled that it is willing to circumvent Congress to slash federal spending, potentially touching off a constitutional battle over the power of the purse.
White House’s DOGE spending cuts request runs into criticism, questions from some Senate Republicans
CNN
By Michael Williams
June 25, 2025
The head of the White House budget office on Wednesday defended the Trump administration’s push to enact sweeping cuts to federal funding, even as some Republican senators voiced concerns and raised questions about the breadth of them. In opening remarks in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said the package – known on Capitol Hill as “rescissions” – awaiting a Senate vote was “carefully crafted, with input from Congress, to cut funding the American people find wholly objectionable.” The package, which claws back about $9.4 billion in previously appropriated government spending, was approved by the House earlier this month.
Trump's signature policy bill is facing trouble on multiple fronts in the Senate
NPR
By Deirdre Walsh, Claudia Grisales and Elena Moore
June 25, 2025
Senate Republicans are racing the clock, trying to meet President Trump's demand that they pass his domestic agenda bill by July 4th as they work to resolve major sticking points inside the GOP conference. While Senate committee leaders have made several significant changes to the bill in recent days, the issue of funding for rural hospitals has emerged as a major roadblock.
US Republican senators push back on Trump cuts to foreign aid and public media
Reuters
By Bo Erickson
June 25, 2025
Several Republican U.S. senators on Wednesday pushed back on the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to American public media stations and foreign aid, a sign the request to cancel $9.4 billion of funding could be blocked by the upper chamber. At least five Senate Appropriations Committee Republicans voiced unease with the plan to erase the congressionally-approved funding proposed by White House budget director Russ Vought. None of the five specifically said they would vote to block it in the chamber, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
US Senate committee advances Trump nominee to head FAA
Reuters
By David Shepardson
June 25, 2025
The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted 15 to 13 to approve the nomination Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford to head the Federal Aviation Administration but is not hiking proposed funding to overhaul air traffic control. All Republicans voted in favor, while Democrats voted against after some cited Bedford's refusal to commit to uphold the 1,500-hour training rule for co-pilots.
IMMIGRATION
Returned deportee Abrego to be released without bail, but faces US immigration custody
Reuters
By Luc Cohen
June 25, 2025
A U.S. judge said on Wednesday she would order the release of Kilmar Abrego, the migrant wrongly deported to El Salvador by President Donald Trump's administration only to be returned to the United States to face criminal charges, from pre-trial custody without posting bail but acknowledged he likely would be taken into immigration custody. Abrego wore an orange jail-issued t-shirt and a headset to listen to a Spanish interpreter translate the proceedings in the Nashville courtroom of U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain in jail while attorneys spar whether he’ll be swiftly deported
AP
By Travis Loller, Jonathan Mattise and Kristin M. Hall
June 25, 2025
Kilmar Abrego Garcia will remain in jail for at least a few more days while attorneys in the federal smuggling case against him spar over whether prosecutors have the ability to prevent Abrego Garcia’s deportation if he is released to await trial. The Salvadoran national whose mistaken deportation became a flashpoint in the fight over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies has been in jail since he was returned to the U.S. on June 7, facing two counts of human smuggling.
UNION NEGOTIATIONS
WCIA
By Jack Krumm
June 25, 2025
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees gathered to picket outside of the Champaign County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon. They said the major “sticking points” in negotiations has been about pay and insurance. The union’s previous agreement with the county expired at the end of last year, and a vote last month saw 96% of votes were in favor of a strike if necessary.
Possible strike looms as District Council 33, Parker admin talks continue
Metro Philadelphia
By Jack Tomczuk
June 25, 2025
Negotiators for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration and AFSCME District Council 33 met Wednesday to work on a contract agreement and avoid a strike that could halt trash pickup, shutter libraries and slow 911 dispatch. More than 8,000 municipal employees could walk off the job if a deal is not reached by Monday. Talks were ongoing as Metro went to print Wednesday, but no tentative agreement had been announced. Should DC 33 strike, it would be the union’s first work stoppage since 1986, when workers voted to return without a contract after nearly three weeks as tens of thousands of pounds of garbage reportedly accumulated on Philadelphia streets.
Union reaches tentative deal with Smith’s as Albertsons negotiations continue
KOB
By Jonathan Fjeld
June 25, 2025
A local grocery store workers’ union signed a tentative deal with Smith’s Food and Drug – as negotiations continue with Albertsons Market to avoid a strike at their stores. Smith’s reached a deal with the negotiating committee for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local 1564 earlier this week, according to union president Greg Frazier. Frazier told KOB 4 they can’t disclose the terms of the deal as members will see it for the first time next week before they vote on it.
Nurses picket at two San Luis Obispo County hospitals
KSBY
By RJ Pollock
June 24, 2025
Nurses at Adventist Health Twin Cities and Sierra Vista hospitals held informational pickets Tuesday, citing concerns over staffing levels, retention and healthcare coverage as contract negotiations continue. The nurses, represented by the California Nurses Association, have been in talks with Adventist Health since March. According to union representatives, the goal of the pickets is to draw attention to what they describe as a lack of progress on key issues affecting working conditions and patient care.
Unions, Kaleida Health agree to third contract extension amid negotiations
WIVB
By Katie Skoog
June 25, 2025
Unions representing around 8,000 healthcare workers and Kaleida Health agreed to a third contract extension of their three-year labor deal through June 27, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East announced Tuesday. The agreement involves workers represented by 1199SEIU and Communications Workers of America. It follows contract extensions that took place in May and earlier this month, as workers ask for better benefits and wages.
Philly's largest blue collar worker union plans to strike in 5 days
NBC Philadelphia
By NBC10 Staff
June 25, 2025
Members of Philadelphia's largest blue collar union, which represents 9,000 city employees, are planning to go on strike in just five days. According to the Facebook page for AFSCME District Council 33, the union was in negotiations with the city all day on Wednesday, June 25 but were not able to make enough progress to stop the strike from happening. The strike is scheduled to start on June 30, 2025 at midnight.
Butler Hospital strike deemed lockout while Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro nurses weigh walkout
Rhode Island Current
By Alexander Castro
June 25, 2025
The United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) Local 5098 represents roughly 2,500 nurses, case managers and technical and support staff who work at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, both in Providence. SEIU 1199NE represents the 800-strong Butler workforce which comprises the nursing, clerical, dietary, technical and mental health staff at the Providence psychiatric hospital. Both unions’ contracts expired on March 31, and both will have the chance to hash things out again with their employers.
Local grocer union members rally as final bargaining period begins with companies
10 News
By Ryan Hill
June 25, 2025
Wednesday was day one of the final bargaining negotiations between the local grocers’ union in San Diego and Kroger and Albertsons as both sides try to hammer out a fair labor contract. “I enjoy my job,” Michael Fisher, a local Pavilions employee, said. “We all work here to survive here in San Diego, so it's not the least expensive town to live in, so we're just fighting for our rights.”
SPORTS UNIONIZATION
WNBA players push for better pay as league soars to new heights
Reuters
By Angelica Medina
June 25, 2025
As the WNBA celebrates record attendance, rising TV ratings, and the addition of the Golden State Valkyries, its players are demanding a larger share of the league's growing revenue, citing disparities in pay and broadcast income compared to their NBA counterparts. The league's recent $2.2 billion media rights deal, spanning 11 years, pales in comparison to the NBA's $76 billion package, which prompted the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) to opt out of its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) two years ahead of schedule.
STATE LEGISLATION
Unions want Mass. lawmakers to hit brakes on driverless cars
NBC Boston
By Ella Adams
June 24, 2025
Labor unions rallied Tuesday morning against bills up for a hearing in the afternoon that would create a regulatory framework for driverless cars in Massachusetts. There would be 70,000 app drivers and tens of thousands of Teamsters truck, transport and delivery drivers displaced from their jobs if autonomous vehicles without human operators took to the roads in Massachusetts, according to Darlene Lombos, president of the Greater Boston Labor Council AFL-CIO.
Oregon governor signs bill providing unemployment pay for striking workers
Oregon Public Broadcasting
By AP staff
June 25, 2025
Democratic Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday signed into law a bill that provides unemployment benefits to striking workers, following neighboring Washington state in adopting measures spurred by recent walkouts by Boeing factory workers, hospital nurses and teachers in the Pacific Northwest.
Thousands of San Diego grocery workers threaten to go on strike as final round of negotiations begin
CBS 8
By Kelly Hessedal
June 25, 2025
Grocery workers at stores across San Diego threatened to go on strike, passing out pamphlets to customers at three locations Wednesday. The final round of negotiations with Kroger and Albertsons began Wednesday and will continue until Friday. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 stood outside Ralph's in Hillcrest, Vons in Encinitas, and Albertsons in Lake Murray letting customers know about a potential strike.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Dallas postal worker collapses, dies while on the job
Fox News 4
By Steven Dial
June 25, 2025
A 51-year-old Dallas letter carrier, Jacob Taylor, died over the weekend after collapsing on his route. Taylor's cause of death is still unknown pending the results of an autopsy. The National Association of Letter Carriers fears his death could have been related because of how similar it was to the death of Eugene Gates, who died of heat exhaustion two years ago.