The Labor Beacon • 14th October 2026

AFGE Files National Grievance After Social Security Administration Eliminates Alternative Work Schedules

Following an email, which every Social Security Administration employee received on Oct. 5 from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the government entity’s decision to terminate alternative work schedules effective Nov. 16 — impacting over 35,000 employees nationwide — the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and its SSA General Committee filed a National Level, Union Management Grievance (UMG).

The Labor Beacon • 14th October 2026

Financial Plan for Downtown Baseball Stadium Recieves Green Light from Kansas City City Council

On Oct. 8, three ordinances went before, and were approved, by the Kansas City City Council regarding development and/or parking uses, Tax Increment Financing District plans and construction buildout costs for the looming Kansas City Royals Downtown Baseball Stadium.

The Labor Beacon • 14th October 2026

SEIU Seeks Legal Aid for Immigrant Union Members Following 2026 USCIS Policy Implementation

A slew of 2026 policies released under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency has led to two lawsuits in July and October, respectively, involving the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its 32BJ SEIU local.

The Labor Beacon • 30th September 2026

Is Timber the New Steel? Contractors Search for Data Center Development Solutions

Following trade negotiations with Canada — in which the United States and its northern neighbor announced that it will enforce a 50% tariff, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, on Canadian imports to the U.S. of cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel — data center contractors and developers have begun to seek alternative construction solutions.

The Labor Beacon • 30th September 2026

Starlight Theatre to Complete 1st Renovation Project in 20 Years Following City of Kansas City Funding Approval

On Sept. 24, Kansas City City Council passed an ordinance, which will allow Kansas City Parks and Recreation to reallocate previously approved funds from the first phase of Starlight Theatre Kansas City’s capital renovation project to its second phase — aiding the amphitheatre in its goal to complete construction by spring 2027.

The Labor Beacon • 18th September 2026

5 Members in 2 years — Meet the New Leadership at SMART Local 2

Over the past two years, Sheet Metal (SMART) Local 2 has promoted five of its members into leadership roles, including Adam Brandmueller, Jared Borden, Carl Tharp, Joseph Kimmel and Aaron Murray. 

With each of these five members starting in their current roles no earlier than 2024, it has led the local to conduct revisions to various programming, including adjusting its apprenticeship curriculum, among other aspects.

The Labor Beacon • 10th August 2026

Former BAC Local 15 Union Hall Business Agent Concludes First Semester as Apprenticeship Program Training Director

While he was growing up in a non-union town of 7,550 residents, 80 miles from Kansas City, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 15 Apprenticeship Program Training Director Josh Franklin could not have pictured he would one day hold his current role.