Trade, Triage and the 2026 USMCA Review. Is the NLRB Backlog Stalling Worker Power?

The rules of the game are changing—both at the border and in the regional field office.

On today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, we are joined by two leading experts to discuss the policy shifts threatening union leverage in 2026.

Part 1: The USMCA 2026 Review with Adam Hersh Senior Economist Adam Hersh joins us to break down the high-stakes "NAFTA 2.0" review coming this July. While USMCA was sold as a fix for manufacturing, Hersh explains why loopholes in auto rules of origin and the threat of offshoring continue to chill collective bargaining. We discuss:

• What happens if the U.S., Mexico, and Canada don't agree by July.
• How "China-linked" supply chains are shifting the footprint in Mexico.
• The essential pillars of a truly worker-centered trade agenda.

Part 2: The NLRB Staffing Crisis with Andrew Strom Brooklyn Law School professor and labor lawyer Andrew Strom returns to discuss a compounding crisis at the National Labor Relations Board. With staffing at a decade-long low and a post-shutdown backlog mounting, "justice delayed" is becoming a tactical weapon for employers. We dive into:

• How new ULP intake procedures are slowing down investigations.
• The "chilling effect" on witness statements when cases sit for months.
• Why funding the NLRB is the most cost-effective way to protect the NLRA.

Listen in to hear how unions can navigate these legal and economic headwinds to keep building power.



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