Unions

Many federal workers in Kansas City are seeing their jobs and departments cut and their work devalued under the Trump administration. We're bringing you another conversation about DOGE's impacts in town — this time with a local union representative for the U.S. Department of Labor.

Residents went on strike last October over deteriorating living conditions and longstanding maintenance problems. Under the deal with the new building owner, residents will get the opportunity to renew their leases and will not have to owe any back rent from the strike.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development office in Kansas City is dealing with federal government cuts. How will vital community resources be impacted?

The project will move the center from its existing site in Platte City to a more central spot in the Northland. With more programs and a higher capacity for students, the new facility is expected to help grow the area’s workforce.

President Trump's new executive order ends collective bargaining for wide swaths of federal employees, as part of his broader campaign to reshape the government's workforce. That could affect thousands of federal workers in Kansas City. Unions are vowing to sue.

Despite the postmaster general resigning, a plan to cut back services will move forward this year.

While tax season ramps up, the Trump administration’s wave of federal employee layoffs is expected to hit the IRS offices in Kansas City this week, according to one union leader. Workers with less tenure at the already-understaffed location are likely to be most affected.

Tenant union members at an Independence apartment building are in their third month of a rent strike. Has it been worth the risk? Plus: A Kansas native explains how Truman Capote and Harper Lee ended up joining her family for Christmas dinner.

Tenant unions in Kansas City and Independence started a rent strike in October in response to deteriorating living conditions that went unaddressed by landlords. There have been some small improvements since, but residents have also experienced what they consider retaliation.

As he runs for re-election this November, Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s about-face on right to work is seen by some as a welcome shift toward pro-labor policy and by others as election year pandering.

The workers who inspect and repair rides at the Kansas City amusement park have been negotiating for eight months, and voted to authorize a strike earlier this month. Their new contract includes guaranteed annual raises, increased paid leave and more rest time.

Democrats have long enjoyed support from organized labor, but many union members don’t feel a party allegiance any more. In Kansas City's Northland, both Republican Rep. Bill Allen and his opponent, UAW member and Democrat Shirley Mata, hope to win over dissatisfied voters. Plus: The Midwest is going through another drought, but farmers might not be eligible for relief.