Summary
A federal judge temporarily blocked Elon Musk from accessing sensitive Labor Department data, a major win for unions concerned about worker privacy.
The lawsuit, filed by federal employee unions, argued that DOGE’s demands posed a threat to labor rights.
Union leaders praised the decision as a safeguard against government overreach.
DOGE has also faced restrictions on Treasury Department access and has taken control of USAID and the Office of Personnel Management, sparking high-profile resignations.
Also, remember that legal, regulated unions with a union steward empowered to negotiate are the compromise. The alternative was rioting mobs of factory workers.
In 1812 the forces of General Ludd attacked a mill near Manchester, which was defended by British soldiers and literal cannons. The reason why we have unions today is that dealing with unions was a more palatable option for the bosses than dealing with an angry mob.
Also, strikes are the more peaceful, more acceptable option that was a compromise vs. simply wrecking the machines.
All this time fighting against unions has meant the alternative to unions simply becomes more likely, and if the business owners think they hate unions, imagine how they’ll like angry mobs.