Rockstar Games, the developer of Grand Theft Auto, is facing accusations of union-busting after terminating the employment of 31 UK-based workers. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) alleges the firings were intended to thwart unionization efforts within the company, leading to protests outside Rockstar’s offices. Rockstar claims the dismissals were due to the sharing of confidential information, a violation of company policy. The IWGB refutes this explanation, asserting the firings were directly related to union involvement, and that Rockstar is prioritizing union-busting.
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The arrest of David Huerta, president of SEIU-USWW and SEIU California, by ICE has galvanized California’s diverse union movement. Huerta’s arrest, marked by alleged excessive force, has ignited widespread outrage and solidarity among unions across the state and nationally. This incident follows a pattern of escalating immigration raids and has spurred a renewed commitment to action against mass deportations, transforming a previously cautious approach into a powerful show of unified resistance. The outpouring of support underscores the deep ties between unions and immigrant communities in California and promises significant future mobilization.
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President Trump signed an executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for over one million federal employees across numerous agencies, citing the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. This action expands upon previous efforts to curtail union influence and affects employees in national security and other critical areas, excluding law enforcement. Unions strongly denounce the order as union-busting and a retaliatory attack, vowing legal challenges to protect workers’ rights and ability to advocate for better working conditions. The White House contends that unions obstruct agency management.
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Amazon will close all seven of its Quebec facilities within the next two months, resulting in the layoff of nearly 2,000 employees. The company claims this decision, impacting its only unionized Canadian workforce, is a cost-saving measure related to a shift back to a third-party delivery model. However, the timing, coinciding with recent unionization efforts at a Laval warehouse, has sparked controversy and accusations of anti-union tactics. The Quebec government has pledged support for affected workers, while the union strongly condemns the closure.
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Amazon will close seven Quebec sites, impacting nearly 1800 employees, and shifting to a third-party delivery model similar to its pre-2020 system. The company cites a review of operations and claims the decision is unrelated to recent unionization efforts at a Laval warehouse, despite speculation linking the two. Amazon is offering affected workers severance packages including up to 14 weeks of salary and transition support. Intelcom, an existing Amazon subcontractor, is reportedly poised to assume some of the vacated roles.
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A Trump presidency will likely reverse recent pro-labor NLRB decisions, potentially reinstating anti-union practices like mandatory anti-union meetings. The incoming administration is expected to replace pro-worker appointees, including General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, and overturn rulings that protect worker rights during unionization efforts, such as the Cemex decision and the reinstatement of “quickie elections.” This could significantly curtail workers’ ability to organize and bargain collectively, reversing the gains made during the Biden administration. Legal challenges to the NLRB’s authority further threaten its ability to protect workers’ rights.
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John Q. Hosedrinker