Labor unions stories

Oct 30, 2026

American Federation of Teachers sues Trump Education Department over student loan forgiveness delays

The American Federation of Teachers filed a class action lawsuit against Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the Department of Education, alleging mishandling of Public Service Loan Forgiveness applications and improper denial of debt relief to public service workers. Borrowers claim the department lost track of loan payments and reversed previously granted forgiveness credits.

Oct 30, 20266 sources

Oct 29, 2026

NLRB dismisses complaint against Tesla over Buffalo plant IT policies

The National Labor Relations Board dismissed a complaint accusing Tesla of using restrictive IT policies to thwart union organizing at its Buffalo, New York assembly plant. The ruling applied a standard from the first Trump administration in determining the IT restrictions were lawful.

Oct 29, 20262 sources

Oct 9, 2026

Shawn Fain declares victory in UAW presidential reelection

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain declared victory in his reelection bid after a campaign period marked by corruption allegations and election interference claims. The union leader has been a vocal critic of President Trump.

Oct 9, 20263 sources

Sep 25, 2026

Trump administration settles with unions over shutdown mass-layoff policy

The Trump administration reached a settlement with federal unions over a lawsuit challenging reductions in force (RIFs) conducted during the 2025 government shutdown. As part of the settlement, the administration rescinded its mass-layoff policy that had threatened widespread layoffs as a bargaining chip and sent RIF notices to thousands of federal employees during the lapse in appropriations.

Sep 25, 20263 sources

Sep 12, 2026

Federal judge blocks Trump administration's 'loyalty' question on civil service job applications

A U.S. District Judge issued a stay barring the Trump administration from asking federal job applicants to respond to an essay question about which presidential executive orders are most significant to them. Labor unions had described the requirement as a partisan loyalty test.

Sep 12, 20263 sources

Sep 4, 2026

Trump grants clemency to 30 people including union leader John Dougherty and Jay-Z associate

President Donald Trump granted clemency to 30 people this week, including former Philadelphia union leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, whose six-year sentence was commuted, and Emory Jones, a longtime associate of rapper Jay-Z. The clemency grants also benefited drug offenders.

Sep 4, 20265 sources

Trump commutes sentence of Philadelphia union leader John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty

President Donald Trump commuted the six-year prison sentence of former Philadelphia union business manager John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty, who was convicted of embezzlement. The commutation also releases Dougherty from $1.6 million in restitution obligations.

Sep 4, 20264 sources

Aug 18, 2026

Unions and education groups sue Trump administration over new visa time limits for foreign students and journalists

A coalition of unions, including the United Auto Workers and American Federation of Teachers, along with higher education groups, filed lawsuits challenging new Department of Homeland Security rules that would impose fixed time limits on foreign students, scholars, and journalists. The regulations, set to take effect September 15, would end the current 'duration of status' policy and require international students to seek extensions after four years.

Aug 18, 20267 sources

Aug 13, 2026

DHS launched undercover operation targeting Minnesota ICE protesters and labor unions

The Department of Homeland Security launched 'Operation Puppet Master' to surveil and investigate local anti-ICE efforts just days after federal immigration agents killed a nurse in Minneapolis, targeting labor unions and activist groups.

Aug 13, 20263 sources

Aug 7, 2026

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Third Attempt to Cancel VA Union Contract Covering 320,000 Workers

U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose ruled Friday to enforce her preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Veterans Affairs from terminating its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees, marking the third time the court has blocked the administration's efforts to strip federal workers of union rights.

Aug 7, 20263 sources

May 18, 2026

Long Island Rail Road Workers Strike, Shutting Down North America's Largest Commuter Rail System

Unionized workers at the Long Island Rail Road went on strike on May 16, 2026, after failing to reach a new contract agreement with the MTA, suspending service on the busiest commuter railroad in North America. New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged both sides to resume negotiations as tens of thousands of commuters face disruptions.

May 18, 20268 sources

Top claims

▪The American Federation of Teachers and its president Randi Weingarten filed a class-action lawsuit against Education Secretary Linda McMahon over Public Service Loan Forgiveness delays
▪The American Federation of Teachers' October 30, 2026 lawsuit alleges the U.S. Department of Education unlawfully reversed previously approved Public Service Loan Forgiveness payment credits and stopped updating online payment trackers starting in July 2026.
▪The U.S. Department of Education faces a backlog of approximately 90,000 pending Public Service Loan Forgiveness buyback applications from borrowers seeking to pay for past deferment or forbearance periods.

People involved

Linda McMahon Joe Biden Donald Trump

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