In January 2025, workers at a Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia voted to form a union, marking a historic achievement as the first union established in one of the grocery chain's 530 U.S. stores. Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, has a history of opposing unionization efforts. This victory is part of a broader resurgence in the U.S. labor movement, inspired by previous successes at companies like Starbucks.

However, the labor movement is encountering significant challenges due to political developments under the Trump administration. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), responsible for overseeing labor rights and disputes, has been described as "crippled" following the dismissal of key officials, including Gwynne Wilcox. This has left the NLRB without the necessary quorum to make decisions, resulting in a backlog of cases and uncertainty for workers. In 2024, the NLRB issued approximately 150 decisions, but only six in the following year.

Whole Foods has contested the union election results, leading to delays and ongoing legal challenges. Despite a regional NLRB director siding with the union, the case remains unresolved, reflecting the diminished capacity of the NLRB under the current administration. Critics, including former NLRB chair Lauren McFerran, have raised concerns about the administration's treatment of the agency, suggesting it indicates a broader trend of hostility towards labor rights. The NLRB's acting general counsel, William Cowen, has attributed the lack of decisions to budget constraints and resource prioritization.

Compounding these operational challenges, a recent appeals court ruling has raised questions about the constitutionality of the NLRB itself, further hindering its ability to enforce labor laws. This situation has left many workers feeling demoralized and uncertain about their rights.

In response to federal inaction, some states, including New York and California, have enacted laws empowering state labor agencies to oversee union elections and address unfair labor practices. California assemblymember Tina McKinnor criticized the federal government's approach, asserting that it undermines workers' rights to organize and secure fair working conditions.

In parallel, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Donald Norcross, and Ilhan Omar are proposing the Empowering App-Based Workers Act, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for app-based workers employed by platforms such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Amazon. This legislation seeks to establish regulations that prevent discrimination and price-gouging resulting from automated decisions, while ensuring that workers are informed about the use of their data.

Representative Jayapal highlighted the challenges faced by app-based workers, noting their long hours and unpredictable earnings, often dictated by algorithms. Congressman Norcross described the bill as essential for fairness and transparency, asserting it would guarantee clearer payment information and higher wages for rideshare and delivery workers. Representative Omar emphasized that gig workers deserve equitable compensation for the wealth they generate, criticizing the reliance of app-based corporations on artificial intelligence and high take rates, which can reach up to 70 percent.

The Empowering App-Based Workers Act includes provisions such as mandating detailed weekly pay statements, requiring disclosure of electronic monitoring systems, ensuring ride-hail drivers receive at least 75 percent of total fares, and prohibiting pay disparities among workers performing similar tasks. Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of the National Employment Law Project, expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the need for accountability from corporations that utilize hidden algorithms to manage worker pay and job assignments. The legislation aims to provide the transparency that workers have long sought and contribute to a more equitable job market.