THE HOT STORY

UPS replaces union drivers with gig workers

UPS is increasingly using gig drivers in personal vehicles for small parcel deliveries as part of a major cost-cutting strategy. The shift comes alongside buyouts and layoffs affecting 34,000 unionized drivers and warehouse workers. While full-time UPS drivers can earn over $145,000 annually in pay and benefits, the company is under pressure from shrinking profit margins—its U.S. unit’s operating margin has dropped from 14.2% to 6.4% in a decade. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters accuses UPS of replacing older, higher-paid workers with lower-wage labor and diluting union jobs. UPS insists it’s honoring union agreements and only uses gig drivers in select units like Mail Innovations. CEO Carol Tomé says the company is on track to cut $3.5bn in costs this year. As e-commerce demands surge unpredictably, UPS is leaning on gig labor to maintain efficiency and profitability.

Wall Street Journal

WORKFORCE

Vance warns Thanksgiving travel ‘could be a disaster’

Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have warned of a potential holiday travel 'disaster' if a government shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving holiday travel season. “Look it could be a disaster. It really could be, because at that point you’re talking about people [who] have missed three paychecks. They’ve missed four paychecks. How many of them are not going to show up for work?” Vance said, adding: “That’s going to lead to massive delays. We want people to be able to get home for Thanksgiving. We want people to be able to travel for business.” Vance said that the only way out was for Democrats to pass a clean spending bill to reopen the government.

CNN

HEALTH & WELLBEING

AI researchers burn out in race to keep pace

Top AI researchers across firms including Anthropic, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are working up to 100 hours weekly to keep pace with rapid breakthroughs. Josh Batson of Anthropic likened the work to "speedrunning 20 years of scientific progress in two years," calling it the most compelling scientific challenge today. Google DeepMind’s Madhavi Sewak described a relentless cycle: “Everyone is working all the time, it’s extremely intense.” Despite earning massive salaries, many lack time for their personal lives. Work culture includes grueling “0-0-2” schedules, near-constant in-office presence, and company support systems for around-the-clock development.

Wall Street Journal

STRATEGY

Fannie Mae announces department restructuring amid streamlining

Fannie Mae has announced the elimination of over 62 positions across various departments, including IT and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as part of a strategy to streamline operations. William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, said: “We, like any business, must eliminate positions that are not core,” as he emphasized the need for efficiency amid ongoing evaluations regarding a public offering of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The restructuring follows a difficult period for the mortgage giant, which has been under conservatorship since the market collapse in 2008.

Reuters

Eli Lilly expands Puerto Rico site

Eli Lilly will invest over $1.2bn to expand its manufacturing plant in Carolina, Puerto Rico, aiming to boost U.S. drug production amid potential tariff risks. The facility will support production of the weight-loss pill orforglipron and treatments for diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. “The investment is part of Lilly's previously announced $50 billion plan to expand its U.S. manufacturing capacity,” the company said. Construction begins in 2026, with drug production expected by late 2028. The project will create 100 permanent high-tech jobs and up to 1,000 construction roles.

Reuters

LEGAL

Trump administration targets nonprofits in loan program

The Trump administration is advancing plans to remove certain nonprofits from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if their activities are deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose.” The policy, set to take effect in July, primarily targets organizations involved with immigrants and transgender youth. Organizations could be expelled based on legal rulings or settlements, and even without a legal finding the education secretary will have the power to independently decide on exclusions. “Illegal activity by its very nature runs contrary to the public good,” the Education Department wrote in a fact sheet. “Congress focuses on public service, and the Trump Administration will not direct taxpayer dollars from hardworking Americans to organizations that are breaking the law.” The American Bar Association said the proposal could decrease the ranks of public defenders and those in public interest law.

U.S. News

Iowa panel approves $4m in sexual harassment payouts

The Iowa State Appeal Board has approved a $4.15m settlement for two women, Beth Mahaffey and Ashley Jared, who accused former Iowa Finance Authority director David Jamison of sexual harassment. Mahaffey will receive $2.35m, while Jared will get $1.8m. State Auditor Rob Sand expressed concerns about taxpayers covering the costs and the potential for the settlement to be challenged if the state seeks reimbursement from Jamison. The settlements mark the first public acknowledgment of the women's identities. Jared said: "Coming forward to the Governor about the sexual assault and harassment I was enduring . . . took every ounce of strength and courage I had." The settlement adds to nearly $6m paid out by the board over the past 15 months for similar allegations against state employees.

The Gazette Cedar Rapids Iowa

ECONOMY

U.S. consumer confidence dips in October

Consumer confidence in the U.S. decreased slightly in October, with the Conference Board's index falling to 94.6 from 95.6 in September. Short-term expectations for income and job conditions dropped to 71.5, indicating potential recession risks. However, current economic assessments improved to 129.3. Inflation remains a primary concern, with consumer prices rising 3% in September. The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates despite inflation exceeding its 2% target. Amazon, Target, and Meta Platforms have announced significant job cuts, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainties.

Forbes

The Globe and Mail

U.S. News

INTERNATIONAL

U.S. orders evacuation from Mali

The U.S. State Department has ordered non-emergency employees and their families to evacuate Mali due to escalating safety risks. The decision follows a travel advisory level 4 warning, indicating "do not travel." The situation has worsened since Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin militants initiated a fuel blockade, attacking fuel convoys and prompting the government to suspend school and university classes for two weeks. Analysts view the blockade as a tactic to pressure Mali's military-led government by disrupting the country's economy.

U.S. News

AI and monitoring reshape EU workplaces

A major 2024–2025 EU-wide survey of over 70,000 workers reveals that digitalization, especially AI and monitoring, is rapidly transforming jobs. The Joint Research Centre found 90% of workers rely on digital tools, and 30% use AI daily - mainly for writing (65%), translation (59%), and data tasks (38%). Surveillance is widespread, with 37% monitored for hours worked and 36% for entry/exit. Algorithmic management now assigns tasks or time to 24% of workers. “Platformization” affects 42% partially, while 7% are fully digitally managed. The report urges balanced policies to safeguard autonomy and privacy as digital tools expand.

Open Access Government

Thai labor protection bill advances in parliament

Thailand's draft Labour Protection Bill has successfully passed the committee stage and will proceed to the next parliamentary session. Charas Khumkhainam, a Chonburi MP from the People's Party, noted that the committee met eight times to refine the proposal. Key amendments include reducing weekly working hours from 48 to 40, increasing minimum rest days from one to at least two, and granting employees 10 annual leave days after 180 days of continuous work. Sia Jampathong, another MP, said the law aims to enhance workers' quality of life and urged support for its passage through further readings.

The Nation

OTHER

'Love Is Blind' is reshaping global views on love

The Netflix reality dating show franchise 'Love Is Blind', which is premised on challenging traditional ideas of love by focusing on emotional connections over physical appearance, and which has found a formula to showcase different cultural norms and the many types of love that exist, is said to be reshaping global views on love. “The duality - local authenticity plus global relatability - has allowed ‘Love Is Blind’ to not just entertain, but to subtly shape how audiences think about love across the globe,” observes Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports. The show has nevertheless been subject to lawsuits over the treatment of contestants.

SFGate

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