Union

Tech giant accused of ‘cynical attempt to bust the union’ in decision to shutter location in Towson, MarylandWorkers at the first Apple store to unionize in the US are pushing back against the company’s decision to shut down the store by June, alleging the company’s decision is rooted in “a cynical attempt to bust the union”.On Monday, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple, alleging unionized employees at the store in Towson, Maryland, are being denied transfer rights and other rights compared with workers at non-unionized stores. The union is also alleging retaliation for being unionized. Continue reading...

Developers at the studio Wizards of the Coast cited AI and layoff protections as some issues driving unionization effortMagic: the Gathering is casting lots for a union. Game developers at the popular digital and tabletop studio Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro that develops online versions of the popular card game and Dungeons & Dragons, are seeking to join the Communications Workers of America.The workers announced their intent to unionize Monday to join the CWA, which has organized thousands of workers in the tech and video game industry in recent years, including the largest certified union in the US video game industry in 2024 representing 600 quality assurance workers at Activision. Continue reading...

• The European Union announced a €2.1 billion emergency aid package for Ukraine on Friday, aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts and civilian needs amid Russia's intensified spring offensive across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine. • EU officials stated the funds would prioritize healthcare infrastructure, food security, and electricity grid repairs, with disbursement beginning within two weeks pending parliamentary approval scheduled for April 30. • Ukraine's finance minister praised the commitment but warned that current assistance levels remain insufficient to offset projected $14 billion in war-related economic losses this year alone.

• The African Union convened emergency sessions Friday in Addis Ababa to address military coup concerns in three Sahel nations and coordinate response to deteriorating security conditions affecting 180 million people across West Africa. • Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced military takeovers since 2020, with suspended AU memberships and international sanctions creating governance vacuums exploited by extremist groups and destabilizing the entire region. • The AU proposed conditional reinstatement frameworks for suspended nations contingent on democratic transition timelines, though France and Western partners expressed skepticism about implementation feasibility given entrenched military leadership.

• The European Commission introduced draft legislation on April 18 to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil, gas, and refining infrastructure, aiming to reduce EU energy dependence by 35% within two years. • The proposal includes price caps on Russian liquefied natural gas imports and expanded restrictions on third-party shipping companies, targeting the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent existing penalties. • EU energy ministers debated the plan in Brussels, with Hungary and Slovakia expressing concerns about potential economic costs to their economies, though Germany and Poland voiced strong support.

Store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market joins growing unionization campaign across the coffee chainWorkers at the historic first Starbucks store are seeking to unionize as the coffee retail giant and its union appear stalemated over their first contract.The first Starbucks store opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and the store serves as a tourist site in Seattle. Continue reading...

‘If we celebrate the impact of physical storytelling, we must acknowledge the artists behind it,’ says Equity body, calling out the lack of movement categories in major awardsChoreographers and movement directors in theatre are undervalued by awards ceremonies and deserve greater acknowledgment, says the Equity group representing both disciplines.At last weekend’s Oliviers ceremony, the award for best theatre choreographer went to Fabian Aloise for Evita at the London Palladium. In a statement, Equity’s Choreographers and Movement Directors Network (CMDN) said it was “brilliant to see choreography recognised on major stages like the Olivier awards” but drew attention to the movement directors who worked on nominated productions yet went unrecognised with their own category. The ceremony “opens up a bigger conversation about what language we use to describe how theatre is made, and questions who gets named in that process – especially when it comes to movement and choreography”, said the CMDN. Continue reading...

• The EU Council approved a new sanctions package on April 11 targeting 28 Russian oligarchs and 15 companies involved in military procurement, freezing assets valued at approximately €3.2 billion. • The sanctions aim to disrupt Russian defense supply chains and increase pressure on Moscow's ability to sustain military operations in Ukraine, with measures including travel bans and financial transaction restrictions. • EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell stated the sanctions demonstrate "unwavering support" for Ukraine, though critics argue they remain insufficient to alter Russian strategic calculations.

The restructuring will close all regional offices, which manages 193m acres of land, roughly the size of TexasSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxUS public lands will “pay the price” of a drive by Donald Trump’s officials to restructure the agency that oversees them, union leaders have warned, accusing the administration of forcing workers to decide whether to relocate or resign.All regional offices of the US Forest Service, which manages 78m hectares (193m acres) of land – roughly the size of Texas – are set to close as part of an overhaul launched by the Trump administration. The service has already shed hundreds of staff members since Trump returned to power last year. Continue reading...

Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement announce four shows at Wellington venue Meow Nui from next week – their first gigs since 2018New Zealand’s self-described “fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo-a cappella-rap-funk-comedy-folk duo” Flight of the Conchords sold out their first shows in eight years in minutes this week, sparking a frenzy among fans.Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement formed the musical comedy act in 1998, soaring to worldwide fame off the back of their HBO comedy series of the same name with tunes including Business Time and Hiphopopotamus vs Rhymenoceros. Continue reading...

• The EU imposed sanctions on three Chinese technology firms and one individual on April 6, accusing them of conducting sophisticated espionage operations targeting European telecommunications infrastructure and government networks. • The targeted companies are suspected of exploiting vulnerabilities in 5G networks; the EU cited evidence of stolen intellectual property and unauthorized access to classified communications. • EU officials stated the move signals zero tolerance for state-sponsored cyber operations; Chinese officials denied accusations and called the sanctions "groundless and provocative."

Senior figures express concerns over medical union’s refusal of pay rise that is higher than offer to other NHS staffTrade unions have privately expressed qualms about the forthcoming doctors’ strikes, expressing frustration at the conduct of the talks and the demands of the British Medical Association.The BMA is pushing for a pay rise higher than the 3.5% offered to doctors by the government, with strikes planned for next week. Continue reading...

Misogynistic abuse of female staff is increasing, leaving teachers feeling ‘traumatised’ and ‘humiliated’Teachers’ leaders have said a “masculinity crisis” is fermenting in schools across the UK, with misogynistic abuse of female staff on the increase, leaving victims “traumatised”, “demeaned” and “humiliated”.Almost a quarter of female teachers who took part in a union survey said they have been the target of misogyny from a pupil over the past 12 months – the highest proportion in the last four years of surveys. Continue reading...

NASUWT says full entitlement should be increased from four weeks to 26 and paternity pay also improvedFull maternity pay for teachers across the UK should be increased to 26 weeks to help stem the exodus of women in their 30s from classrooms, a union leader has said.Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers’ union, said it was a “national scandal” that so many teachers who quit said inadequate maternity support was one of the reasons. Continue reading...

Leader understood to have spoken to 10 trade unions after party claimed working class voters are turning to themZack Polanski has kicked off a charm offensive designed to convince trade unions to stop funding Labour and throw their weight behind the Green party, as he delivered the first in a series of speeches to union conferences.The Green leader has had “good conversations” with 10 trade unions, including some affiliated to Labour, according to party sources, and is due to address the University and College Union and the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, not affiliated with Labour, in the coming months. Continue reading...

Despite resistance from states who had role in chattel slavery, many feel this is an idea whose time has comeJohn Mahama knows a thing or two about beating the establishment. On Wednesday, less than two years after completing a remarkable comeback as Ghana’s president with a landslide defeat of the ruling party candidate, he rallied the world to ratify a landmark vote against transatlantic chattel slavery, despite major opposition from the same western entities that drove it for centuries.The resolution to declare the practice as “the gravest crime against humanity” passed with a decisive majority at the UN general assembly and has been largely welcomed across Africa. Yet the details of the tally reveal a world still deeply divided on the gravity of the sin of enslaving more than 15 million people as chattel over the course of 400 years. Continue reading...

• The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) filed a lawsuit on March 24, 2026, against the Trump administration as part of a coalition for removing scientific signage on climate change impacts from U.S. national parks like Glacier National Park. • Signs detailing climate effects on iconic landscapes, such as retreating glaciers, were censored, preventing public education on environmental changes documented as part of parks' missions. • The suit, represented by Democracy Forward Foundation, demands restoration of accurate climate and historical information to promote scientific literacy and protect public lands for future generations.

• Samsung Electronics unveiled an $82 billion investment plan in chip manufacturing and AI technology while its union warned of potential labor action, signaling internal tensions over worker conditions amid expansion plans. • The company expects to distribute approximately 9.8 trillion won (roughly $7.3 billion) in regular dividends for 2026, with additional returns possible if surplus funds remain available. • Samsung's major capital commitment reflects intensifying competition in semiconductor and AI markets, particularly as global demand for chips and AI infrastructure accelerates.

London mayor also says his party should make clear manifesto commitment on full membership in next parliamentGood morning. Shortly before the general election in 2024, Keir Starmer said he did not think the UK would rejoin the EU in his lifetime. (He is now 63.) At the time he was loath to say anything that implied the Brexit vote was a mistake. More recently, Labour has been happy to talk about the economic damage done by the leave vote, and ministers want a closer relationship with the EU, but ruling out a customs union or single market membership remain firm red lines for Labour. And even more pro-EU parties, like the Liberal Democrats, are a bit vague about when full rejoining might be an option (not least because the last thing the Brussels probably wants is another half-decade of Brexit negotiations hell).But today Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is trying to shift the debate into a different space. In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, he has said not just that rejoining would be good in principle (which is about as far as most pro-European Labour MPs are willing to go), but that Labour should commit to rejoining in its next election manifesto.I see on a daily basis the damage Brexit has done to not just London, but Londoners, the damage economically, socially and culturally. And I’m quite clear in terms of what needs to happen, which is I do think we should join the European Union …So I think there should be a five-stage process in relation to this. Continue reading...

Union says claims involving young women and minors are serious enough to halt annual tributes and open an inquirySign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe United Farm Workers union has cancelled celebrations honoring Cesar Chavez, the organization’s co-founder, following “troubling allegations” that Chavez was involved in the abuse of young women or minors.“We have not received any direct reports, and we do not have any firsthand knowledge of these allegations,” the UWF said in a statement on Tuesday. “However, the allegations are serious enough that we feel compelled to take urgent steps to learn more and provide space for people who may have been victimized to find support and to share their stories if that is what they choose.” Continue reading...

Board members Jørgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford face scrutiny for the coffee chain’s ongoing labor dispute Starbucks shareholders are pushing to remove two board members at the company who they argue have contributed to stalling the coffee chain’s long-fought-over union drive.The SOC Investment Group, Trillium Asset Management, Merseyside Pension Fund, the non-profit Shareholder Association for Research and Education (Share), and the New York state and New York City comptrollers wrote a letter to Starbucks shareholders to vote “no” on the re-election of board members Jørgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford at Starbucks’s annual shareholders meeting on 25 March. Continue reading...

Poll of students of all faiths and none found almost a quarter had seen Jews targeted for their religion or ethnicityOne in five students would be reluctant to, or would never, houseshare with a Jewish student, according to a survey by the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) that says antisemitism has “become normalised” on UK campuses.A UJS poll of 1,000 students “of all faiths and none” found almost a quarter (23%) have seen behaviour that targets Jewish students for their religion or ethnicity and nearly half (47%) have witnessed justification of the 7 October attacks by Hamas. Continue reading...

• Backstage at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, Teyana Taylor and Chase Infiniti were spotted in candid chats while winners like Amy Madigan paused to celebrate and pose for photos. • The area revealed emotional reactions and conversations away from the main stage cameras during Hollywood's biggest night. • These moments provided an intimate glimpse into the excitement, contrasting the on-stage glamour.

• President Trump urged passage of Dalilah's Law in his State of the Union address, prompting Senator Jim Banks to introduce it the next morning and the House to follow with H.R. 7793. • The legislation is moving through Congress, focusing on key freight and transportation reforms named after Dalilah. • Details include provisions promised in the president's speech, alongside elements not originally highlighted and under-discussed components.

The WNBA and its players' union made significant progress in labor negotiations, scheduling the next session for Friday after productive discussions on key issues. Players are pushing for improved salaries, health benefits, and pension plans amid the league's rapid growth. Union president Nneka Ogwumike stated, 'We're closer than ever to a fair deal that reflects our value.' The outcome could impact the 2026 season structure and free agency rules, with both sides expressing optimism for an agreement soon.

Pop Culture Con 2026 kicks off today in Houston at CityPlace Marriott, featuring a 40th anniversary reunion of 'Aliens' cast including Michael Biehn, Mark Rolston, Jenette Goldstein, Ricco Ross, William Hope, Cynthia Scott, and Carl Toop. Additional guests comprise Zach Galligan from 'Gremlins,' voice actors Salli Saffioti and Vic Mignogna, and comic creators like Mark Bagley of Spider-Man fame. The event, running March 14 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and March 15 until 5 p.m., offers panels, cosplay contests with cash prizes, and a vendor hall. Organizers expect thousands of sci-fi and anime fans amid growing convention popularity.

Pop Culture Con 2026 kicks off today at Houston's CityPlace Marriott with a star-studded 40th anniversary reunion for James Cameron's 'Aliens,' featuring Michael Biehn, Mark Rolston, Jenette Goldstein, Ricco Ross, William Hope, Cynthia Scott, and Carl Toop. The event, running March 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 15 until 5 p.m., also welcomes Zach Galligan of 'Gremlins,' voice actors Salli Saffioti and Vic Mignogna, plus comic creators like Mark Bagley. Attendees can enjoy panels, Q&A sessions, a cosplay contest with cash prizes, and a vendor hall for collectibles. Organizers expect thousands of sci-fi and pop culture fans over the weekend.

The WNBA and its players' union held 15 hours of advanced negotiations starting Thursday at 11 a.m. ET, making progress on core and peripheral issues without public updates from WNBPA Exec Dir Terri Jackson or Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Talks, totaling nearly 40 hours this week, continued into pre-dawn Friday with increased urgency after the league's March 10 deadline passed, threatening the regular season start. Sources indicate Friday's session mirrors the momentum, as the league builds toward a pivotal moment. Players stand to secure a brighter future if a deal seals soon.