Businesses, White House plan for possible rail strike Friday
Railroads have already started to curtail shipments of hazardous materials and refrigerated products ahead of Friday’s strike deadline.
Labor
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Pressure mounts on U.S. railroads, unions to reach deal
Freight railroads and their unions face a looming strike deadline on Friday, and business groups say a stoppage halting deliveries of raw materials and finished products that so many companies rely on would be an economic disaster.
As deadline looms, railroads say strike would cost $2B a day
The railroad trade group said a strike would idle some 7,000 freight trains a day run by CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, Kansas City Southern and other railroads and disrupt passenger operations nationwide.
Red-hot labor market has helped boost unions
Economists say tight labor markets tend to give workers more leverage to form unions and to demand higher wages and better working conditions, while downturns tend to make workers less willing to make collective demands of their employers.
Starbucks asks labor board to halt union votes temporarily
Starbucks on Monday asked the National Labor Relations Board to halt all union elections at its U.S. stores, citing allegations from a board employee that regional NLRB officials improperly coordinated with union organizers.
Construction industry looks to youth to fix labor shortage
Experts predict the state will need more than 275,000 additional workers by 2026.
Former grocery exec to lead Indiana Department of Labor
David Redden served in numerous executive roles for former grocery chain Marsh Supermarkets for almost 20 years.
Pilots in line for big raises amid global travel disruptions
The largest pilots union has approved a contract that would boost the pay of pilots at United Airlines by more than 14% over the next 18 months, potentially clearing the way for similar wage hikes throughout the industry.
Pilots picket as airline unions leverage summer travel woes
The protest, which the union said drew up to 1,300 Southwest Airlines pilots, was the latest example of airline workers trying to put pressure on companies by taking their demands for higher pay directly to the flying public.
Labor board takes Starbucks to court over alleged violations
The National Labor Relations Board is asking a federal court to order Starbucks to stop interfering with unionization efforts at its U.S. stores. It’s the third time the board has filed a case in federal court against Starbucks since December.
Amazon workers vote against unionization in New York
Labor organizers and experts say they expect the momentum to organize at Amazon’s more than 1,000 warehouses across the country to continue despite the loss.
Indiana BMV leader stepping down, to be replaced by Department of Labor chief
Peter Lacy, commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles since 2017, plans to leave his position May 27 and will be replaced by Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Joe Hoage the next day, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Tuesday.
Amazon staff reject union in Alabama, lean toward it in New York City
If a majority of Amazon workers votes yes in either Bessemer or Staten Island, it would mark the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the company’s history.
Amazon tries to stave off union drive on two fronts
Amazon is gearing up for its toughest labor fight yet, with two separate union elections coming to a head as soon as next week that could provide further momentum to the recent wave of organizing efforts across the country.
MLB players vote to end lockout, salvaging 162-game season
The deal brings major changes that include expansion of the designated hitter to the National League, increasing the postseason from 10 teams to 12, advertisements on uniforms and measures aimed to incentivize competition and decrease rebuilding.
MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout
With owners and players unable to agree on a contract to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expired Dec. 1, Commissioner Rob Manfred canceled the first two series for each of the 30 teams, cutting each club’s schedule from 162 games to likely 156 at most.
UPDATE: MLB delays labor-deal deadline to Tuesday for March 31 start
Players and management started their eighth straight day of bargaining Monday at 10 a.m. and didn’t recess talks until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Rocky Ripple residents push back on demolitions in cost-cutting anti-flood plan
Three years after Rocky Ripple approved a no-demolition plan for a new floodwall, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works has unveiled a tweaked plan that would involve destruction of as many as 14 houses and the Rocky Ripple Town Hall.
UAW votes for direct election of leaders in wake of scandal
Members of the United Auto Workers union have overwhelmingly approved picking their leaders by direct ballot elections, rejecting a system that many blamed for a bribery and embezzlement scandal in the union’s top ranks.
MLB owners lock out players in first work stoppage since 1995
Major League Baseball plunged into its first work stoppage in a quarter-century when the sport’s collective bargaining agreement expired Wednesday night and owners immediately locked out players in a move that threatens spring training and opening day.