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‘Death of 1,000 cuts’: Kellogg’s workers on why they’re striking
06/10/2021 Comments Off on ‘Death of 1,000 cuts’: Kellogg’s workers on why they’re strikingBusiness‘Death of 1,000 cuts’: Kellogg’s workers on why they’re strikingUnion took issue with company’s threats to outsource jobs from the US to Mexico if workers refuse to accept their proposals Michael SainatoThu 7 Oct 2021 02.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 7 Oct 2021 02.02 EDTAbout 1,400 Kellogg’s workers at four US plants have gone on strike after their current union contracts expired and amid accusations that the cereal giant is offshoring jobs.The workers, represented by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM), produce cereals for brands, including Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes and Raisin Bran, at plants in Michigan, Tennessee, Nebraska and Pennsylvania.Trevor Bidelman, president of BCTGM Local3G and a fourth-generation employee at the Kellogg’s plant in Battle Creek, Michigan, explained workers are on strike against a proposed two-tier system for current and new employees proposed by Kellogg’s. Bidelman said Kellogg’s wants to not offer pensions to new employees, remove cost of living provisions, and make changes in holiday pay and vacations.“We’re fighting for our future,” said Bidelman. “We made it very clear from the onset of negotiations that this was not something we’ll be able to accept.”Shortly before the strike, Kellogg’s announced plans to cut 212 jobs at the Battle Creek, Michigan, plant over the next two years, including 174 positions represented by the union. The plant currently employs about 390 workers. Kellogg’s cited plans to streamline efforts and relocate cereal production to other facilities …
Continue reading …Snap, Crackle, Strike: Workers At All Kellogg’s US Cereal Plants On Strike
06/10/2021 Comments Off on Snap, Crackle, Strike: Workers At All Kellogg’s US Cereal Plants On Strike
By Aaron Gregg — Workers at every one of Kellogg’s U.S. cereal factories went on strike Tuesday after negotiations unraveled over benefits and vacation time. The strike covers about 1,400 workers at factories in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee that churn out such cupboard staples as Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran and Frosted Flakes. The workers […]
Continue reading …Only London’s highest earners able to rent privately at affordable cost, ONS says
06/10/2021 Comments Off on Only London’s highest earners able to rent privately at affordable cost, ONS saysRenting propertyOnly London’s highest earners able to rent privately at affordable cost, ONS saysMajority of renters facing ‘uphill struggle’ as housing costs in parts of England rise again Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Hilary OsborneWed 6 Oct 2021 08.28 EDTLast modified on Wed 6 Oct 2021 10.16 EDTOnly the top 25% of earners in London were able to privately rent a property in the city at an affordable rate last year, according to official figures on costs across England.Data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that for three-quarters of households, rents in the capital were set at a level equal to more than 30% of their income.The ONS said it considered an area to have affordable private rent if tenants spend no more than 30% of their income on it.Rents in some parts of the country dropped when the pandemic struck but in recent months agents have reported that costs have started to rise again.Tenants were not offered the same payment breaks as mortgage borrowers during the early months of the crisis but were given protections from eviction.A ban on landlords repossessing their properties has ended, and there have been warnings that families who had been receiving the £20 universal credit increase until it was discontinued on Wednesday could struggle to keep their homes.The ONS data, which looked at median earnings among tenants before tax and median rents across the country from 2012-20, underlines …
Continue reading …Facebook whistleblower’s testimony could finally spark action in Congress
06/10/2021 Comments Off on Facebook whistleblower’s testimony could finally spark action in CongressFacebookFacebook whistleblower’s testimony could finally spark action in CongressDespite years of hearings, the company has long seemed untouchable. But Frances Haugen appears to have inspired rare bipartisanship Kari PaulWed 6 Oct 2021 08.14 EDTFirst published on Wed 6 Oct 2021 01.00 EDTThe testimony of Frances Haugen, a former Facebook employee, is likely to increase pressure on US lawmakers to undertake concrete legislative actions against the formerly untouchable tech company, following years of hearings and circular discussions about big tech’s growing power.In a hearing on Tuesday, the whistleblower shared internal Facebook reports with Congress and argued the company puts “astronomical profits before people”, harms children and is destabilizing democracies.Facebook harms children and is damaging democracy, claims whistleblowerRead moreAfter years of sparring over the role of tech companies in past American elections, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle on Tuesday appeared to agree on the need for new regulations that would change how Facebook targets users and amplifies content.“Frances Haugen’s testimony appears to mark a rare moment of bipartisan consensus that the status quo is no longer acceptable,” said Imran Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a non-profit that fights hate speech and misinformation. “This is increasingly becoming a non-political issue and one that has cut through definitively to the mainstream.”On Wednesday morning Richard Blumenthal, chair of the Senate commerce sub-committee that hosted Haugen the day before, condemned Facebook again …
Continue reading …US Department of Labor proposes $300K in fines after inspection finds workers endangered at Missouri nutrition production plant
06/10/2021 Comments Off on US Department of Labor proposes $300K in fines after inspection finds workers endangered at Missouri nutrition production plant
October 6, 2021US Department of Labor proposes $300K in fines after inspection findsworkers endangered at Missouri nutrition production plantBCP Ingredients Inc. cited for 24 serious safety, health violations
VERONA, MO – Two complaints of unsafe working conditions at a Verona nutrition production plant led federal safety and health inspectors to investigate allegations of worker exposure to multiple safety and health hazards, including toxic substances, combustible dust and moving machinery parts.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued 24 serious safety and health violations and proposed $300,759 in penalties to BCP Ingredients Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Balchem Corp.
Investigators cited multiple OSHA violations, including exposing workers to:
OSHA also cited the company for exposing workers to struck-by and fall hazards from modified forklifts, failing to maintain eyewash stations near chemical use areas, and not training workers on how to identify and prevent hazards found in the production facility.
“This company’s failure to comply with safety and health requirements exposed hundreds of workers to toxic chemicals and unguarded machine hazards,” said OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek in Kansas City, Missouri. “OSHA will always respond to reports of unsafe working conditions to ensure employers meet their legal obligation to protect workers on the job.”
BCP Ingredients is part of Balchem’s Animal Nutrition and Health Division, which produces choline, nutrient encapsulation, chelated minerals and functional ingredients for feed and animal supplements. The Verona facility also produces food ingredients primarily for the baking industry. Based in New Hampton, New York, Balchem is one of the world’s largest producers of nutrition and health products for animal and human consumption. It employs more than 1,400 people worldwide.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Learn more about OSHA.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.govRhonda Burke, 312-353-4807, burke.rhonda@dol.gov
Continue reading …Fair Shot Café: Helping those with learning disabilities find jobs
05/10/2021 Comments Off on Fair Shot Café: Helping those with learning disabilities find jobs
At West London College, young people with learning disabilities are being taught how to make coffee, prepare food and give good customer service in the hope they will soon find paid work. About 80% of staff at Fair Shot Café have learning disabilities, but founder Bianca Tavella says that, with comprehensive training, more businesses should be considering the potential of people with a learning disability. The café opens its first retail outlet in Mayfair, central London, in November, but it’s hoped the training will eventually be extended to colleges around the country.Video produced by Paul Murphy-Kasp and Sonja Jessup
Continue reading …Biden Presses Democrats to Embrace His Economic Agenda
05/10/2021 Comments Off on Biden Presses Democrats to Embrace His Economic Agenda
The president canceled a trip to Chicago in an attempt to salvage a pair of bills containing trillions of dollars in spending on infrastructure, education, climate change and more. WASHINGTON — President Biden and his aides mounted an all-out effort on Wednesday to salvage Mr. Biden’s economic agenda in Congress, attempting to forge even the […]
Continue reading …For these Instagram-only business owners, Monday’s outage was a rude awakening
05/10/2021 Comments Off on For these Instagram-only business owners, Monday’s outage was a rude awakeningFor most of the billions of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram users around the world, Monday’s outage was annoying. But for businesses that rely exclusively on those platforms to find new customers and sell to them, it was a cold reminder of just how vulnerable they are.
Continue reading …Global deal on 15% minimum tax rate for multinationals edges closer
05/10/2021 Comments Off on Global deal on 15% minimum tax rate for multinationals edges closerGlobal economyGlobal deal on 15% minimum tax rate for multinationals edges closerAlmost 140 countries understood to be in final OECD talks on measures to stop firms moving profits to tax havens Richard Partington and Lisa O’CarrollTue 5 Oct 2021 10.58 EDTLast modified on Tue 5 Oct 2021 12.17 EDTAlmost 140 countries are edging closer to a global deal on the taxation of multinationals, with agreement on a minimum 15% rate of corporation tax set to be announced as part of a landmark statement at the OECD in Paris on Friday.Governments representing more than 90% of the world economy are understood to be in the final stages of talks on a global minimum rate and other measures designed to stop multinationals shifting profits into tax havens.It is understood the accord will update several key details from an outline statement signed by 130 countries in July. Sources indicated a 15% rate was likely to be settled upon as part of the OECD’s Inclusive Framework tax negotiating forum, in a move backing down from an earlier agreement for a minimum of “at least 15%”.In a sprint to agree further details after almost a decade of negotiations, the push to issue a statement comes before a key meeting between G20 finance ministers taking place in Washington next week.Ireland, one of nine countries that declined to sign the OECD headline agreement in July, is expected to sign the landmark deal on Friday.The French economy minister, Bruno …
Continue reading …US Department of Labor proposes $136K in fines after worker at Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant suffers amputation injury
05/10/2021 Comments Off on US Department of Labor proposes $136K in fines after worker at Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant suffers amputation injuryOctober 5, 2021US Department of Labor proposes $136K in fines after workerat Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant suffers amputation injuryCompany cited for one willful safety violation for failing to ensure proper machine guards
CHICAGO – A 48-year-old worker for Tootsie Roll Industries LLC suffered a partial finger amputation after their employer allowed bypassed safety locks on a machine’s access doors that enabled a bag sealer to close on an employee’s finger.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection of the April 19, 2021, incident found that the worker reached into an unguarded machine to remove stuck paper debris when the bag seal’s jaws closed.
OSHA issued one willful violation for inadequate machine guarding and proposed $136,532 in penalties.
“Hundreds of workers are injured needlessly each year because employers ignore safety guards, often to speed up production, and that’s exactly what happened in this case,” said OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park. “Employers must never put profits before people. When they do and fail to meet their obligations to keep workers safe, we will take action to hold them accountable.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Learn more about OSHA.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-4807, burke.rhonda@dol.gov
Release Number: 21-1752-CHI
U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).
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