National Labor Relations Board

A federal judge blocked New York’s NLRB trigger law, which would have allowed the state labor board to handle private sector labor disputes if the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) couldn’t, ruling it unconstitutional under the 1959 Garmon case. Amazon, which sued to block the law, secured a victory as the judge permanently enjoined its enforcement.

The public defender union in Brooklyn and Queens struck over unresolved wage demands after a 21-hour bargaining session. Union leaders criticized management for refusing terms to sustain low-paid staff, while management claimed they offered a strong proposal. The union represents around 500 staff, including attorneys and support workers, with supervisors handling cases during the strike.

The National Labor Relations Board dismissed 34.7% of unfair labor practice charges filed by unions and 67.4% filed by workers from January 2025 to April 2026, a significant increase compared to 2024. The report attributes this rise to staffing shortages, procedural changes, and a lack of board quorum.

The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump could fire heads of independent federal agencies without cause, except for Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, whom the court allowed to remain in her position during her legal challenge. The decision overturned a 91-year-old precedent limiting presidential removal power, asserting constitutional separation of powers.

The Supreme Court allowed Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to remain in her position temporarily but upheld President Trump's authority to fire heads of independent federal agencies without cause. The decision expanded presidential power, overriding a 91-year-old precedent, and applied to cases like former Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter's dismissal.

The Supreme Court allowed Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook to remain in her position while she challenges President Trump’s attempt to fire her, but upheld his ability to dismiss heads of other independent agencies without cause. The decision expanded presidential power to remove agency leaders, except at the Federal Reserve, where protections against removal were maintained.

The Supreme Court is considering overturning the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States decision, which established congressional authority to create independent agencies. The case could redefine the balance of power between the executive branch and independent regulatory bodies, with liberals and conservatives holding opposing views compared to 1935. The current Court's potential reversal would impact agencies like the Federal Reserve and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, part of SSM Health, voted 511 to 63 in favor of union representation by SEIU Wisconsin in an NLRB election. The hospital disputed the eligibility of 82 charge nurses, with 66 of their ballots set aside, and SSM Health expressed a preference for non-union engagement while committing to collaboration.

Esly Paredes, an Amazon delivery driver in New York City, was fired for violating company social media policies after posting content supporting a City Council bill targeting Amazon’s use of subcontracted delivery workers. She filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board through the Teamsters union, alleging the termination violated her free speech rights.

U.S. Congressman Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia urges Endeavor Health to reinstate two nurses allegedly fired for unionizing. The National Labor Relations Board states retaliating against unionizing workers is illegal, and nurses at multiple Endeavor Health hospitals are organizing with Teamsters Local 743 over pay cuts and staffing issues.

Non-tenure-track faculty at USC voted to unionize after over a year of university opposition. Faculty cited issues like stagnant salaries and job insecurity, while USC challenged the unionization as 'managerial' under its governance structure. The National Labor Relations Board initially approved the vote but faced a last-minute university request for review.

St. John’s University filed a federal lawsuit against the state labor board to avoid state labor laws on religious grounds, following its revocation of union recognition for over 1,100 faculty members. The union alleges illegal surveillance and intimidation, while the university claims government enforcement of labor law infringes on its religious mission.

Nurses at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison, owned by SSM Health, are organizing a union election with the Service Employees International Union. The campaign faces opposition from hospital management, and a rally with U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Black Earth) is planned. The election, supervised by the National Labor Relations Board, reflects broader trends of healthcare workers seeking union representation amid centralized healthcare systems.

Workers at Proper Cannabis in Missouri filed a petition for a union election, citing low raises and poor working conditions. A recent National Labor Relations Board ruling clarified that post-harvest cannabis workers are not classified as agricultural employees, allowing them to unionize. Employees highlighted health risks from mold exposure and sought better pay, job security, and workplace safety.