‘Striketober’ Walkoffs and Worker Unrest: Labor Fights Explained

Labor unrest has commanded a national spotlight this month—earning it the moniker “Striketober”—as a wave of workers have walked off the job in protest, following record-setting levels of resignations across all industries that have left businesses scrambling for workers.

Thousands of workers have gone on strike this month at companies like Deere & Co. and Kellogg Co. More than 30,000 Kaiser Permanente workers have authorized strikes. Workers in one of Hollywood’s most potent unions were set to walk off before they reached a deal to avert the union’s first strike in its 128-year history.

These strikers aren’t just seeking better ...