Last Week in Labor: September 12-19, 2025.

Good morning, Sunday morning. Getting back on a regular digest schedule as we head into Autumn. I hope you've found some time to disconnect from the internet this week; tough to do, I know, given, well...*gestures everywhere*

Here's the digest of headlines and other notable news in the world of labor you might have missed from last week.

Unions, citizens respond to Kimmel getting pulled off-air this week

Last week, Jimmy Kimmel's Late Show was suddenly yanked off-air after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's threats hit the internet. The backlash to the decision was immediate and swift, with Hollywood unions releasing statements of condemnation and protests organized at various locations around Los Angeles.

During the week and through the weekend, the Disney+ subscription page crashed numerous times as angry patrons cancelled their subscriptions, devoted Disney Parks fans cancelled their vacations and getaways, and press rights groups, fellow comedians, politicians, and many more released statements of condemnation. Safe to say Bob Igor might have miscalculated with this one.

A number of my fellow photojournalist colleagues were out and about this week at the rallies, pickets, and other gatherings in response to the decision:

Unions also responded to the decision, with the Hollywood craft unions releasing a number of statements in the aftermath. Here is the joint statement made by the Hollywood unions after decision.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOwOorwgbxE/

Other Notable News in Labor

Ohio Teamsters Endorse Ramaswamy for Ohio Governor

From Semafor,

The Ohio conference within the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is endorsing Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy — an influential pickup for the former 2024 contender in the race.

The endorsement from the Ohio Conference of Teamsters, which represents more than 50,000 workers in the state and is part of the broader International Brotherhood of Teamsters organization, is especially noteworthy because the group is the third labor group to endorse Ramaswamy after previously backing former Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan for Senate. Ryan is considering jumping into the governor’s race, too.

National Labor Relations Board sues to block New York labor law

Check out Jonah Sheridan's reporting here.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) filed a suit against New York State and its Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) earlier this month, accusing the state government of passing an illegal law to regulate private sector labor relations that are already under federal authority.

The suit claims that S8034A/A8590A creates a regulatory system in conflict with the National Labor Relations Act, alleging that it usurps the NLRB’s authority to regulate the private sector. It wants the court to declare the law invalid because it’s preempted by the NLRA under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Union leaders applaud Senate bill to restore collective bargaining rights for federal workers

From People's World yesterday,

The measure has bipartisan House support, as Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., is the lead co-sponsor, with Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine. But it’s sunk from sight since its unveiling there on April 1. Dozens of House Democrats also back it.

In the House, despite the GOP leadership’s blockade, Golden and Fitzpatrick lead the charge for the bill. Labor is lobbying lawmakers to defy the leaders and sign a seldom-used “discharge petition” to bring the bill to the floor for an up-or-down vote. That needs the signatures of a majority of House members—218—to overcome the House GOP leadership’s ire.

Leader says faculty, staff union supporters are making inroads as they seek UW regents’ support

From Erik Gunn at the Wisconsin Examiner,

Universities of Wisconsin faculty and staff employees seeking a voice in UW operations have gained the ears of a number of UW regents, a union leader said Thursday, and want their request for recognition put on the Board of Regents agenda in October.

In March, American Federation of Teachers/Wisconsin leaders had hoped to confront the regents with their campaign to give faculty and staff employees a voice. Their efforts to meet in person then were thwarted.

The National AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department ‘Calls for Reforms’ During Rail Safety Week: “We Renew Our Calls For Comprehensive Federal Legislation And Regulatory Action That Meaningfully Enhances Rail Safety”

Read the release here.

In repealing or weakening these and other long-standing rules, we take several steps back on safety progress in the Rail Industry. As Transportation Labor, we know that the Nation does not run without the Rail Industry, and the Rail Industry does not run without Workers. For Rail Workers, every hour, day and week that they are on the job is spent with rail safety on their minds. During Rail Safety Week we continue to advocate for rail safety through a holistic approach, from preventing catastrophic derailments to ensuring that Workers return home safely to their families each day.

Unions Respond to Trump Administration

Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Union Busting at Voice of America, USAGM

AFSCME, AFGE say move to strip workers of their collective bargaining rights is attempt by administration to silence their First Amendment rights--take a look at the full press release here.

In their complaint, the unions argue that the administration’s union-busting action is a direct attempt to prevent the agency’s employees – who are journalists and other media professionals – and their unions from exercising their First Amendment rights by pursuing litigation and filing grievances to challenge the administration’s closure and dismantlement of USAGM and VOA. The employees are represented by AFGE Local 1812 and AFSCME Local 1418.

Commentary & Analysis

A First Look at Labor’s AI Values: An analysis of recent statements about technology by unions and other worker organizations

UC Berkeley Labor Center has released a short report gathering in information about unions' positions on AI technology in the workplace. It's a decent little read; take a look.

Over the past few years, various unions and worker organizations have published a series of principles, public statements, frameworks, and resolutions articulating a vision for how AI and other digital technologies should be developed and deployed in the workplace. We analyzed 17 of these documents by 15 organizations and identified key values being put forward. This report represents our interpretation of these documents.

Looking Ahead...

Join Railroaders from Across the Country for Houston Rail Labor Solidarity Rally!

Scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 from 12-7 p.m. CT at the SPJST Lodge #88 (1435 Beall Street, Houston), the event fosters collaboration among various railroad crafts and focuses on the shared mission of protecting safety and job security and advancing railroad workers’ rights.

In addition to hearing from a lineup of speakers across the labor and political spectrum, attendees have an opportunity for one-on-one consultations with representatives from organizations such as the Railroad Retirement Board, our fraternal insurance organization, American Journey Financial Life, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Check out the full flyer here, and more details.

Editor's note: I would love to fly in to cover this rally in Houston--if you'd love to see me out there covering the labor news that's important to my readership, please consider a paid subscription or drop a tip in my tip jar so that I can do just that!

Alright, that's it for me this weekend, folks. Appreciate your support.

In love and solidarity,

Mel