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Union Membership Reaches 16-Year High as Judge Rules on "Boneless Wings" Case

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate union contracts, the number of workers covered under union contracts has reached a 16-year high. Meanwhile, a US judge has ruled that Buffalo Wild Wings can continue using the term "boneless wings" on its menu, dismissing a lawsuit that claimed the chain was misleading customers.

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The US labor market has seen a significant shift in recent years, with union membership reaching a 16-year high in 2025. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 16.5 million workers were covered by...

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  1. Source 1 · Fulqrum Sources

    US union membership soared to 16-year high in 2025 despite Trump assault

  2. Source 2 · Fulqrum Sources

    US judge says lawsuit over Buffalo Wild Wings ‘boneless wings’ lacks meat

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Union Membership Reaches 16-Year High as Judge Rules on "Boneless Wings" Case

Despite the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate union contracts, the number of workers covered under union contracts has reached a 16-year high. Meanwhile, a US judge has ruled that Buffalo Wild Wings can continue using the term "boneless wings" on its menu, dismissing a lawsuit that claimed the chain was misleading customers.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 • 3 min read • 2 source references

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The US labor market has seen a significant shift in recent years, with union membership reaching a 16-year high in 2025. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 16.5 million workers were covered by a union contract in 2025, up from 16 million in 2024. This increase comes despite the Trump administration's ongoing attempts to wipe out collective bargaining agreements for tens of thousands of federal workers.

The rise in union membership is attributed to workers joining unions as members, with the union membership rate increasing to 10.4% in 2025, up from 10.3% in 2024. This trend suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to protect their rights and interests in the workplace.

In other news, a US judge has ruled that Buffalo Wild Wings can continue using the term "boneless wings" on its menu, despite a lawsuit claiming that the chain was misleading customers. The lawsuit, filed by a customer who discovered that the "boneless wings" were actually made of chicken breast meat, claimed that the term was deceptive and misleading.

However, Judge John Tharp dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the claim "has no meat on its bones." The judge ruled that the term "boneless wings" is not deceptive, as it is a common term used in the food industry to describe chicken strips or tenders. The ruling allows Buffalo Wild Wings to continue using the term on its menu, despite the lawsuit's claims.

The ruling has sparked debate among consumers and food industry experts, with some arguing that the term "boneless wings" is misleading and others arguing that it is a common and well-understood term. The lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate labeling and advertising in the food industry, as well as the need for clear and transparent communication between businesses and consumers.

In contrast to the debate over "boneless wings," the rise in union membership suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to protect their rights and interests in the workplace. The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that workers are recognizing the value of union membership and are seeking to join unions to improve their working conditions, wages, and benefits.

The Trump administration's efforts to eliminate union contracts for federal workers have been met with resistance from labor unions and workers' rights groups. The administration's attempts to roll back collective bargaining agreements have been seen as an attack on workers' rights and have sparked widespread criticism from labor leaders and workers.

Despite these challenges, the rise in union membership suggests that workers are determined to protect their rights and interests in the workplace. The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a positive outlook for labor unions and workers' rights groups, suggesting that workers are increasingly recognizing the value of collective bargaining agreements.

As the debate over "boneless wings" continues, the rise in union membership serves as a reminder of the importance of collective bargaining agreements in protecting workers' rights and interests. The ruling in the Buffalo Wild Wings case highlights the need for clear and transparent communication between businesses and consumers, while the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to improve their working conditions, wages, and benefits.

The US labor market has seen a significant shift in recent years, with union membership reaching a 16-year high in 2025. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 16.5 million workers were covered by a union contract in 2025, up from 16 million in 2024. This increase comes despite the Trump administration's ongoing attempts to wipe out collective bargaining agreements for tens of thousands of federal workers.

The rise in union membership is attributed to workers joining unions as members, with the union membership rate increasing to 10.4% in 2025, up from 10.3% in 2024. This trend suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to protect their rights and interests in the workplace.

In other news, a US judge has ruled that Buffalo Wild Wings can continue using the term "boneless wings" on its menu, despite a lawsuit claiming that the chain was misleading customers. The lawsuit, filed by a customer who discovered that the "boneless wings" were actually made of chicken breast meat, claimed that the term was deceptive and misleading.

However, Judge John Tharp dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the claim "has no meat on its bones." The judge ruled that the term "boneless wings" is not deceptive, as it is a common term used in the food industry to describe chicken strips or tenders. The ruling allows Buffalo Wild Wings to continue using the term on its menu, despite the lawsuit's claims.

The ruling has sparked debate among consumers and food industry experts, with some arguing that the term "boneless wings" is misleading and others arguing that it is a common and well-understood term. The lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate labeling and advertising in the food industry, as well as the need for clear and transparent communication between businesses and consumers.

In contrast to the debate over "boneless wings," the rise in union membership suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to protect their rights and interests in the workplace. The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that workers are recognizing the value of union membership and are seeking to join unions to improve their working conditions, wages, and benefits.

The Trump administration's efforts to eliminate union contracts for federal workers have been met with resistance from labor unions and workers' rights groups. The administration's attempts to roll back collective bargaining agreements have been seen as an attack on workers' rights and have sparked widespread criticism from labor leaders and workers.

Despite these challenges, the rise in union membership suggests that workers are determined to protect their rights and interests in the workplace. The data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a positive outlook for labor unions and workers' rights groups, suggesting that workers are increasingly recognizing the value of collective bargaining agreements.

As the debate over "boneless wings" continues, the rise in union membership serves as a reminder of the importance of collective bargaining agreements in protecting workers' rights and interests. The ruling in the Buffalo Wild Wings case highlights the need for clear and transparent communication between businesses and consumers, while the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that workers are increasingly seeking collective bargaining agreements to improve their working conditions, wages, and benefits.

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US union membership soared to 16-year high in 2025 despite Trump assault

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US judge says lawsuit over Buffalo Wild Wings ‘boneless wings’ lacks meat

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