News

More than 300 South Korean workers who were detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and brought home, according to the South Korean government. The workers were among 475 people detained by U.S. immigration authorities during the raid at the Hyundai manufacturing site where electric vehicles are produced.

This operation is part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, but the large scale of the raid and the economic importance of the site have caused shock and concern in South Korea.

Striking Air Canada flight attendants at Toronto Pearson International Airport rejected the company’s wage offer, leading to a bitter dispute that is expected to be resolved through mediation. The rejection of the agreement by 99.1% of flight attendants resulted in negotiations being referred to arbitration, with the possibility of a prolonged dispute looming.

The strike highlighted the North American flight attendants’ demands for pay from the time they check in to when they clock out, challenging the current compensation structure that mainly pays cabin crew when the aircraft is in motion. While the proposed deal included compensation for ground work and improvements to wages, pensions, and benefits, many flight attendants expressed disappointment over the agreement, citing insufficient coverage for increased cost of living, especially in high-cost cities like Toronto.

The negotiations, which were carried out under the threat of criminal charges, further underscored the challenges faced by airline workers in securing fair compensation for their labor.

McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski spoke out against the restaurant industry’s practice of allowing tipped wages, which often results in servers being paid less than the minimum wage. He supports President Trump’s efforts to eliminate federal taxes on tips, but notes that this does not benefit McDonald’s workers who do not earn tips. Kempczinski argues that the current system creates an uneven playing field and advocates for a standard federal minimum wage that does not depend on tips.

U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has resigned after an independent inquiry found that she did not pay enough tax on her recent house purchase. Rayner, who acknowledged the error in her purchase of an apartment in Hove, maintained that she acted in good faith but took full responsibility for the mistake.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed sadness over Rayner’s resignation but supported her decision to step down. Rayner’s journey from a teenage single mother to trade union official and lawmaker has been marked by her no-nonsense attitude and plain-speaking manner, making her a popular figure in the Labour Party and a potential successor to Starmer.

U.S. job growth weakened in August with a sharp increase in the unemployment rate, reaching nearly a four-year high of 4.3%. This has confirmed that labor market conditions are softening, prompting expectations for an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve this month. The economy lost jobs in June for the first time in over four years, attributed to President Donald Trump’s import tariffs and immigration policies reducing the labor pool. With more unemployed individuals than job vacancies in July, uncertainties over trade policies continue to impact businesses, highlighting the need for stability in the labor market over inflation concerns.

Despite a disappointing job growth number in August, economists are hopeful for revisions that may ease the strain seen in various sectors like healthcare, social assistance, and government employment. The U.S. Treasury yields fell on the data, reflecting concerns over the declining labor market conditions and reinforcing the likelihood of a rate cut by the Fed.

David Ellison, CEO and chairman of Paramount, has announced a new policy requiring employees to work in the office five days a week starting in January 2026. This move is aimed at building a stronger, more connected, and agile organization that can deliver on the company’s goals and compete at the highest level. E

mployees who do not wish to make the transition have the option to seek a buyout until September 15. This change comes as Paramount looks to thin the herd ahead of looming staffing cuts, with the company expected to lay off between 2,000 and 3,000 employees as part of cost-cutting measures.

Boeing is taking steps to replace employees in its defense unit as a strike by 3,200 workers continues into its second month without a new contract agreement. The company is hiring permanent replacement workers for manufacturing roles to ensure they can continue supporting their customers, particularly in assembling and maintaining F-15 fighter jets and missile systems. The strike, led by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837, began on August 4 after workers rejected a contract offer from Boeing.