Welcome to the first edition of “This Week in Employee Relations,” your fast-scan digest of the stories shaping policy, culture, and compliance. Catch up in five minutes; walk into Monday with the context—and the talking points—your organization expects.
🛠️ Labor Talks Tense at General Dynamics Electric Boat
What happened
Contract negotiations between General Dynamics Electric Boat and the United Auto Workers (UAW), representing approximately 2,500 marine drafters, remain unresolved. The union has set a strike date for May 19 if a tentative agreement isn’t reached. Key issues include wage increases, healthcare costs, and demands for profit sharing and full pensions.
ER Insight
Labor relations are heating up across industries. Join the discussion in our Labor Relations group on empowER — it’s where ER professionals are sharing real-world strategies.
Join real-time peer discussion inside empowER.
🤖 IBM Automates HR Roles with AI
What happened
IBM has automated several human resources functions, replacing “a couple hundred” HR roles with AI agents. The move allows the company to reallocate resources toward areas driving growth, such as hiring more programmers and sales staff.
ER Insight
AI is transforming HR functions. Use it smartly to enhance efficiency, but ensure the human element remains central to employee relations.
📉 Microsoft Cuts 6,000 Jobs in AI Pivot
What happened
Microsoft is laying off approximately 6,000 employees, about 3% of its global workforce, to streamline operations and invest more heavily in artificial intelligence. The cuts affect various roles across the company, including management positions.
ER Insight
Organizational changes like these underscore the importance of robust documentation. Ensure you can defend decisions about who was selected for layoffs and who stays.
Stay a step ahead of every employee relations headline.
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