June: This Month in Workers' Rights

A roundup of key workplace stories, legal updates, and events shaping workers’ rights.

Judge rules California anti-discrimination laws apply to Workday

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin rejected California-based Workday's claim that California's anti-discimination laws do not apply when its AI-powered platform screens out people based outside California who are applying for jobs in other states and countries. According to Reuters, "the proposed class action filed in 2023 is the first ​of its kind to broadly target the algorithmic decision-making underpinning AI screening software that has become ​very common among large employers, and could help shape how such litigation is conducted."

ILO adopts first convention to protect digital platform workers

Many people make money off of platforms such as TikTok, yet they are not employees of the platform. That means they do not have the rights that many traditional employees have. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is trying to change that. They recently voted to adopt a new convention regarding digital platform workers. While this would not currently affect digital platform workers in the U.S., it could be adopted by the European Union and countries around the world. Read more on the ILO site.

New York state regulates posting of "ghost" jobs

The New York state legislature passed a bill that would require employers to "clearly disclose whether a job posting reflects an active vacancy and when they expect to hire." It is currently waiting for signature from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Amazon employees file civil rights claim

Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, an employee group at Amazon, filed a civil rights complaint against the company with the City of Seattle on June 18, 2026. The complaint was filed on behalf of three engineers who allege they ware being wrongly investigated by Amazon for testifying before the Seattle City Council in favor of regulating data centers. Read more on GeekWire.

Seattle Art Museum workers vote to unionize

In June, Seattle Art Museum employees created Seattle Art Museum Workers United (SAMWU), which will represent over 130 full- and part-time employees across its three locations. SAMWU is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME Council 28. Read more here.

Walrus and Carpenter workers strike

In mid June, the unionized Walrus and The Carpenter workers went on strike after filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging “a sustained pattern of unfair labor practices intended to undermine the union, delay negotiations and avoid reaching a first collective bargaining agreement.” Employees at the Hilton also went on strike on the same day. Read more in The Seattle Times.