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Labor

The biggest news about labor, jobs, unemployment, and how America works.

The latest in Labor

The winners and losers of the Biden economy
Politics

Younger workers have done well under Biden. Fast food fanatics have not.

By Eric Levitz
If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.
Future Perfect

The US doesn‘t have federal heat protections. A standard would save lives. As a heat dome suffocates much of the East, it‘s becoming more apparent that we need better standards in the face of climate change.

By Sam Delgado
The unionization fight is coming to the SouthThe unionization fight is coming to the South
Today, Explained newsletter

Workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama are on their last day of voting for a UAW union. Here’s why it matters.

By Sam Delgado
A unionized Volkswagen plant in Tennessee could mean big things for workers nationwideA unionized Volkswagen plant in Tennessee could mean big things for workers nationwide
Money

The UAW is unlocking worker power in the South. An expert explains why it matters.

By Whizy Kim
Want a 32-hour workweek? Give workers more power.Want a 32-hour workweek? Give workers more power.
Future Perfect

German labor history has some tips on how the US could reduce its workweek.

By Oshan Jarow
Why Lyft and Uber drivers did their largest strike everWhy Lyft and Uber drivers did their largest strike ever
Politics

The protests spotlight gig workers’ lack of basic labor protections.

By Li Zhou
How Boeing put profits over planes
Money

The fall of Boeing has been decades in the making.

By Whizy Kim
We’re all addicted to cheap stuff — and Temu knows it
Money

How the new Chinese shopping site came from seemingly nowhere and is changing the way we shop.

By Whizy Kim
It’s just a tip
Money

You can say no to the tipping tablet. That doesn’t mean you should.

By Emily Stewart
The long, long Hollywood strikes have endedThe long, long Hollywood strikes have ended
Culture

SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Why stop at the four-day workweek?
Future Perfect

Companies are opting for shorter weeks. But without worker power, they’re just another employer perk.

By Oshan Jarow
One down, two to go: Autoworkers get a tentative deal with FordOne down, two to go: Autoworkers get a tentative deal with Ford
Labor

The UAW strike isn’t over, but it might be soon.

By Emily Stewart
Going on strike is a riskGoing on strike is a risk
Labor

When workers go on strike, there are no guarantees it will work out.

By Emily Stewart
The actors strike negotiations have broken downThe actors strike negotiations have broken down
Culture

The two big sticking points between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP, explained.

By Alissa Wilkinson
The Hollywood writers’ strike is over — and they won bigThe Hollywood writers’ strike is over — and they won big
Culture

Here’s what’s coming in the WGA’s new contract.

By Alissa Wilkinson and Emily Stewart
Everything you need to know to feel smart about the UAW strikeEverything you need to know to feel smart about the UAW strike
Labor

Why are auto workers striking? What’s their special strategy? And wait, what’s the UAW?

By Emily Stewart and Ellen Ioanes
What’s the state of the Hollywood strikes?What’s the state of the Hollywood strikes?
Culture

On the AMPTP’s identity crisis, Drew Barrymore, the fall TV calendar, and whether this will ever end.

By Alissa Wilkinson
The myths we tell ourselves about American farmingThe myths we tell ourselves about American farming
Future Perfect

“Agricultural exceptionalism,” explained.

By Kenny Torrella
What a UAW strike could mean for laborWhat a UAW strike could mean for labor
Unions

Auto workers at the “Detroit Three” auto companies could stop work on September 14.

By Ellen Ioanes
This summer is giving us a glimpse at the dangerous future of workThis summer is giving us a glimpse at the dangerous future of work
The Vox guide to extreme heat

It’s hot and only getting hotter. Could this be the next big labor battle?

By Whizy Kim and Kenny Torrella
Nobody wins in the Hollywood strikes, including billion-dollar studiosNobody wins in the Hollywood strikes, including billion-dollar studios
Money

CEOs like Bob Iger and David Zaslav seem willing to lose money during the writers and actors strikes. Why?

By Emily Stewart
“Going shopping” is dead
Money

Why going to the store sucks now

By Whizy Kim
It’s not just famous actors and big-name writers the Hollywood strikes are hurtingIt’s not just famous actors and big-name writers the Hollywood strikes are hurting
Money

A look at how workers in and outside of Hollywood are being hit by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

By Emily Stewart
King the Land is a Netflix hit about love and labor rightsKing the Land is a Netflix hit about love and labor rights
Culture

Can romance’s fantasy of wealth survive the labor rights movement? Let’s ask, uh, this frothy K-drama.

By Aja Romano
Why thousands of LA service workers are on strikeWhy thousands of LA service workers are on strike
Politics

Airport employees, sanitation workers, and more have authorized their first strike in 40 years.

By Li Zhou
What a trucking company bankruptcy tells us about labor tensions in AmericaWhat a trucking company bankruptcy tells us about labor tensions in America
Unions

The freight trucking company Yellow struggled for years. It’s blaming its union anyway.

By Whizy Kim
Workers are mad as hell this summerWorkers are mad as hell this summer
Technology

From actors to delivery drivers, why 2023 is a perfect storm for strikes.

By Rani Molla
A UPS strike would have been worse than you thinkA UPS strike would have been worse than you think
Technology

Our reliance on delivery gave the Teamsters union a lot more leverage in UPS negotiations.

By Rani Molla
Telephone operation was a good career for women. Then it got automated.Telephone operation was a good career for women. Then it got automated.
Future Perfect

How automation wiped out a whole career for young women — and how young women adapted.

By Dylan Matthews
Teachers are striking for more than just pay raisesTeachers are striking for more than just pay raises
Education

What Oakland’s teachers union reveals about labor strikes in 2023.

By Courtney E. Martin
Hollywood’s historic double strike, explainedHollywood’s historic double strike, explained
Culture

SAG-AFTRA now joins the WGA on the picket line. What does that mean for viewers?

By Alissa Wilkinson
Hollywood is staring down the barrel of a double strikeHollywood is staring down the barrel of a double strike
Culture

What happens if everybody walks off the job?

By Alissa Wilkinson
Why strikes might disrupt your summer EurotripWhy strikes might disrupt your summer Eurotrip
World Politics

Inflation in Europe and the United Kingdom is prompting a wave of labor action across the continent.

By Jen Kirby
The Supreme Court deals another blow to labor unionsThe Supreme Court deals another blow to labor unions
Supreme Court

The Court’s new decision is a significant blow to workers’ right to strike.

By Ian Millhiser
The Republican push to weaken child labor laws, explainedThe Republican push to weaken child labor laws, explained
Policy

It’s not just about a labor shortage.

By Rachel M. Cohen
Starbucks won’t admit to breaking the law by union bustingStarbucks won’t admit to breaking the law by union busting
Technology

Longtime CEO Howard Shultz testified before a Senate committee as the company’s labor violations stack up.

By Rani Molla
The massive Los Angeles public school worker strike, explainedThe massive Los Angeles public school worker strike, explained
Education

Unions are protesting low wages and “unfair” working conditions during the three-day strike.

By Nicole Narea
Stop requiring college degrees for jobs that don’t need themStop requiring college degrees for jobs that don’t need them
Policy

Employers are finally tearing down the “paper ceiling” in hiring.

By Rachel M. Cohen
Child labor protections are the latest Republican targetChild labor protections are the latest Republican target
Policy

Arkansas is leading the charge against laws that protect kids — despite revelations of dangerous child labor nationwide.

By Ellen Ioanes
The five-day workweek is deadThe five-day workweek is dead
Labor

The calls for something better are just getting louder.

By Anna North