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The ongoing Canada Post strike has reached the three-week mark as the two sides continue to trade proposals through a government-appointed mediator. The work stoppage centres around a variety of issues, including disputes over wages and weekend delivery. Here’s a snapshot of the issues underpinning the standoff between the Crown corporation and union. Wage increases The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 55,000 Canada Post workers, said at the start of the strike that wage increases must be kept in line with inflation, with cost-of-living adjustment payments rolled into the basic wage rate. The union initially called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years. CUPW negotiator Jim Gallant said that figure has moved since the start of negotiations, but declined to comment on the union’s latest proposal. “We have just lived through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation,” the union’s national president Jan Simpson said in a post on Tuesday. Canada Post says it has offered what it calls “competitive” wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and more paid leave. It notes labour costs rose by $242 million in 2023, or about 6.5 per cent, compared with 2022. The organization declined to comment on Thursday. Weekend delivery One of the main snags in negotiations has been a push to expand delivery to the weekend, but the two sides are at odds over how to staff the expansion. Canada Post has pitched seven-day-a-week delivery as a way to boost revenue and “secure the future of the company” as it struggles to compete with other delivery companies. The Crown corporation says it would staff weekend delivery shifts with a mix of new permanent part-time positions and some full-time, which would “create flexibility while not adding significant long-term fixed costs.” But the union characterizes Canada Post’s proposals as “attacks on full-time work,” accusing the Crown corporation of wanting to increase the part-time mix to more than 50 per cent of the workforce. It says it is concerned some part-timers could be scheduled for as few as eight hours per week and wouldn’t be eligible for benefits until they reach 1,000 hours. “Canada Post has every ability today to deliver parcels on the weekend, inside our collective agreement at straight time,” Gallant said in an interview. “We think it can be done with full-timers ... We’re just saying, ‘Instead of hiring 10 part-timers, you can hire three full time.” Job security and retirement The union has highlighted a number of its demands for better job security, including a request for “improved protections against technological change.” Gallant said Canada Post is “always looking for new technology” that could threaten workers’ duties. “This loading and unloading of trucks by robots is one that they’re really, really looking at (and) forklifts that drive themselves through a plant,” he said. “We’re always afraid.” When it comes to retirement, CUPW says Canada Post wants new workers to accept a defined contribution pension plan, even though its defined benefit pension plan is overfunded by 140 per cent. “All workers deserve the right to retire with dignity, and for us, that means postal workers — present and future — maintain their defined benefit pension plan,” Simpson said. Canada Post says its proposals are “focused on protecting and enhancing what’s important to current employees ... while protecting the defined benefit pension and their job security.” Rural service The union has said it wants job security rights for rural and suburban mail carriers in line with those granted to urban postal workers. It has outlined a number of issues affecting its Rural Suburban Mail Carrier bargaining unit, saying it wants an hourly rate system with appropriate time values, union involvement and “safeguards against (Canada Post’s) unilateral change.” The union says Canada Post must maximize and maintain eight-hour routes for rural workers, grant improved rights for on-call relief employees, and uphold paid meal and rest period rights. It says the Crown corporation must also ensure the bargaining unit’s involvement in service expansion projects. Earlier this week, Simpson called on Canada Post to commit to working with the union “to expand services at the post office including postal banking and electric vehicle charging stations.” Safer working conditions The union has demanded the full elimination of Canada Post’s “separate sort from delivery” system, which entails certain employees spending the entirety of their shifts sorting mail for letter carriers to go out and deliver — as opposed to carriers performing both tasks. It says this system overburdens carriers, who as a result spend more time outdoors and potentially exposed to extreme weather events. “Postal workers suffer the second highest rate of disabling injury among workers under federal jurisdiction, behind only the road transportation sector,” Simpson said. “Growing neighbourhood mail volumes and changing work methods like separate sort-from-delivery are only making things worse.” The union has also proposed increases to short-term disability program payments and injury on duty payments, along with more paid medical days. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5,2024.
While speaking at Ukrainska Pravda's UP100 award ceremony on Thursday, Zaluzhny said that the fact that Russia's allies are directly involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict means that the Third World War has begun, Politico reported. Published: November 23, 2024 2:08 AM IST By Edited by Ukraine’s former military Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny has said that World War 3 has begun, as the country is no longer facing Russia alone, soldiers from North Korea and the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are “killing civilians absolutely openly,” Politico reported. While speaking at Ukrainska Pravda’s UP100 award ceremony on Thursday, Zaluzhny said that the fact that Russia’s allies are directly involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict means that the Third World War has begun, Politico reported. “I believe that in 2024 we can absolutely believe that the Third World War has begun,” Zaluzhny, who is now Ukraine’s envoy to the United Kingdom, said, as per Politico. “Because in 2024, Ukraine is no longer facing Russia. Soldiers from North Korea are standing in front of Ukraine. Let’s be honest. Already in Ukraine, the Iranian ‘Shahedis’ are killing civilians absolutely openly, without any shame,” Politico reported Zaluzhny as saying, and he added that North Korean and Chinese weapons are flying into Ukraine. As per Politico’s report, Zalunzhny said Ukraine’s allies are capable of ending the war, and they must draw the correct conclusions. “It is still possible to stop it here, on the territory of Ukraine. But for some reason our partners do not want to understand this. It is obvious that Ukraine already has too many enemies. Ukraine will survive with technology, but it is not clear whether it can win this battle alone,” he said. Politico stated that the grim speech by Zaluzhny reflected his views on the Russia-Ukraine war. He made similar comments to a media publication last year, inviting the wrath of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his comment, Zaluzhny compared the state of the conflict to a stalemate like World War I. Zelenskyy later fired Zalunzhny in February after cracks developed between them on how to handle Ukraine’s counteroffensive. Politico reported that Zalunzhny’s mounting popularity was also seen as a threat to Zelenskyy’s political career. Speculation was rife for over a week before Zelenskyy’s announcement on February 8, reflecting the strained relationship between him and Zaluzhny over months before the decision. Oleksandr Syrskyi was then appointed as the head of Ukraine’s armed forces, marking a significant shift in the country’s military leadership amid ongoing tensions with Russia. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . Topics
Outbrain Shareholders Vote to Support Teads AcquisitionThousands of protesters marched through Barcelona on Saturday demanding lower rents in Spain's second city. Barcelona, which has already taken action to stop the spread of holiday rental apartments, is the latest Spanish city to see protests for cheaper housing. Backed by left-wing parties and unions, the demonstrators gathered in central Barcelona behind a giant banner declaring "Lower the rents". "Today a new political cycle starts concerning housing," Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Catalan Tenants Union, the main organiser, told reporters. "Investors must not be allowed to come to our cities and play with the apartments like a game of Monopoly," she added. The union would target "profiteers" who are taking "half of our salaries", Arcarazo said. The demonstrators demanded a 50 percent cut in rents, leases with an unlimited term and a ban on "speculative" sales of buildings. They threatened to start a rent strike. An estimated 22,000 people took part in a similar demonstration in Madrid on October 13. Campaigns have been launched in other cities. According to the Idealista specialised website, rental prices per square metre have risen 82 percent across Spain over the past decade. The average salary has gone up by 17 percent in that time, according to the national statistics institute. Facing pressure over a housing crisis, the government in 2023 passed legislation calling for more social housing, greater restrictions on rents in high demand areas and penalties for owners who do not occupy properties. But rents have continued to rise while the government has battled city and regional authorities to get some parts of the law applied. vid-vab/tw/jm
AP News Summary at 6:20 p.m. EST
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NoneDEAR ERIC: I eat at a local restaurant a couple times a week and tend to get one of three meals. This one waitress asks me what I want to eat, but then interrupts me to make guesses or tell me my choice. I just put my head down and nod yes or no to the guesses. It’s frustrating, but not life-threatening. She enjoys it. I hate it. However, if I were to say something, it would force her to make the choice of being herself, doing something she likes doing, or appeasing me so I can order the way I want to order. I don’t know if this is a big enough problem to have a “high road.” The answer will not change my life. She can easily change, and I can easily suffer. The question is who gets to be themselves? – Speaking Up DEAR SPEAKING UP: I worked in the service industry for more than a decade. I loved it. I loved seeing regulars, meeting new people and carrying a lot of beverages in my hands at one time. The whole bit. I also loved knowing what people wanted, but I would always ask and confirm. That’s part of the job. She may think you’re a regular who likes to be known in this way. So, informing her that that’s not the case won’t be keeping her from being herself. It will be helping her to do her job better. You may not have the kind of temperament that easily or comfortably course-corrects in social situations. That’s just fine. But know you won’t be causing her suffering by saying something like “I’ve already decided on my meal. Let’s skip the guessing today and I’ll just tell you.” This also clears the path for the two of you to talk about something else, if you want. Ideally, it’s a conversation that you’ll both enjoy. (Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com .) ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Latest Advice ColumnsThousands demand lower rents at Barcelona demo
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Coronavirus Test Kits Market: Trends, Size, Share, Growth, and Demand by 2030 11-22-2024 09:37 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research (DBMR) Coronavirus Test Kits Market The coronavirus pandemic, first emerging in late 2019, reshaped global healthcare priorities, placing diagnostic tools like test kits at the forefront of pandemic response strategies. The coronavirus test kits market, driven by the urgency to control the pandemic, evolved into a critical segment of the healthcare industry. This article explores the key aspects of the coronavirus test kits market, including its trends, size, share, growth trajectory, and demand outlook through 2030. Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-coronavirus-test-kits-market Coronavirus test kits are essential tools in detecting and monitoring the spread of COVID-19. These kits vary from rapid antigen tests to highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, each serving distinct purposes in the diagnosis process. Their role has been instrumental in minimizing the pandemic's spread by identifying cases, tracking outbreaks, and supporting effective quarantine measures. The market witnessed exponential growth during the pandemic as governments, private organizations, and healthcare systems ramped up testing capabilities. The continued importance of these kits lies in their ability to detect new variants, support vaccination campaigns, and monitor population health in a post-pandemic world. Trends in the Coronavirus Test Kits Market Several key trends are shaping the coronavirus test kits market: Technological Advancements Test kit manufacturers are continuously innovating to create faster, more accurate, and user-friendly testing solutions. The development of at-home test kits, digital test result integration, and advancements in point-of-care (POC) devices are some of the most notable trends. Shift Toward At-Home Testing Consumers prefer the convenience of at-home test kits, which eliminate the need for visits to healthcare facilities. These kits are designed for ease of use, enabling individuals to test themselves without specialized training. Focus on Variant Detection The emergence of new coronavirus variants has highlighted the need for kits capable of identifying mutations. Companies are investing in research to ensure their kits remain effective against evolving virus strains. Integration with Digital Health Systems Test results are increasingly being integrated with mobile apps and healthcare platforms. This allows for better tracking, reporting, and decision-making at both individual and public health levels. Sustainability in Manufacturing Environmental concerns have led to the production of eco-friendly test kits. Manufacturers are adopting sustainable materials and reducing packaging waste to minimize their ecological footprint. Market Size and Share Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the coronavirus test kits market, which was USD 10.59 billion in 2022, would rocket up to USD 46.49 billion by 2030 and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 20.3% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include depth expert analysis, patient epidemiology, pipeline analysis, pricing analysis, and regulatory framework. By 2022, as vaccination rates increased and infection rates declined in some regions, demand for test kits stabilized but did not vanish. Continued testing requirements for travel, workplace safety, and healthcare facilities ensured a steady market presence. As of 2023, the market size is projected to be approximately $XX billion, with major players such as Abbott Laboratories, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Roche Diagnostics, and Quidel Corporation holding significant shares. Growth Factors: Several factors contribute to the sustained growth of the coronavirus test kits market: Ongoing Need for Testing Even with high vaccination rates, testing remains essential for monitoring new outbreaks and variants. Many countries require testing for international travel, adding to market demand. Rising Investments in Healthcare Infrastructure Governments and private entities are investing heavily in healthcare infrastructure, including diagnostic capabilities, to prepare for future pandemics. Adoption in Emerging Markets The growing adoption of test kits in emerging markets is a key growth driver. Improved healthcare access and awareness in these regions are contributing to increased demand. Regulatory Support Regulatory agencies have expedited approvals for innovative test kits, encouraging manufacturers to develop more efficient and accessible solutions. Public Awareness of Health Heightened awareness of the importance of testing, driven by the pandemic, has created a lasting culture of proactive health monitoring. Demand Outlook Through 2030 The demand for coronavirus test kits is expected to remain significant through 2030. While the peak demand witnessed in 2020-2021 may not recur, the market will see steady growth driven by several factors: Recurrent Outbreaks: Periodic surges in cases, often linked to new variants or seasonal trends, will sustain demand for test kits. Integration into Routine Healthcare Test kits are increasingly used for monitoring respiratory illnesses, not just COVID-19. This expansion into routine healthcare applications ensures a stable demand base. Global Preparedness Initiatives Countries are stockpiling test kits as part of pandemic preparedness strategies, ensuring adequate supplies for future emergencies. Technological Advancements As manufacturers introduce more accurate, rapid, and cost-effective test kits, adoption rates are expected to rise, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Corporate and Institutional Testing Programs Workplaces, schools, and large institutions continue to conduct regular testing to maintain safe environments, adding to market demand. Browse Trending Reports: https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/golf-trolley-market-size-share-trends.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/horse-riding-equipment-market-size.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/protective-goggles-for-medical-market.html https://aimarketresearch2024.blogspot.com/2024/11/flavour-systems-market-size-share.html Conclusion The coronavirus test kits market, born out of necessity during a global health crisis, has evolved into a dynamic and indispensable sector of the healthcare industry. Technological advancements, ongoing testing requirements, and the integration of diagnostic tools into routine healthcare practices are driving its growth. About Data Bridge Market Research: Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Contact Us: Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 614 591 3140 UK: +44 845 154 9652 APAC : +653 1251 975 Email: corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com" This release was published on openPR.The Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaWith the election finally over, and America getting ready to celebrate its fall holiday tradition of families not speaking to each other, it’s good to remember that there is one thing that unites us all. In every region of the country, people of every age, race, color, creed, religion and national origin share one common thought: How can California still be counting ballots? For decades, registered California voters would go to the polls in their neighborhood on Election Day, give their name and address to a poll worker sitting at a folding table, sign a paper registry, receive a ballot and vote. Completed ballots were secured in locked boxes and when the polls closed, the ballot boxes would be transported to county offices to be tabulated. County election officials didn’t need weeks to verify the validity of every ballot, because voters had already attested to their identity at the polling places. Vote-by-mail ballots had to be verified, but for a long time that was only a small fraction of total ballots. According to records from the California Secretary of State, mail ballots accounted for just 4.21% of all ballots cast in 1964 general election, 4.5% in 1976, 6.26% in 1980 and 9.33% in 1984. Later, the percentage of mail ballots began to climb. By 2016, more than 57% of ballots were vote-by-mail, and then in 2020, when California began sending a mail ballot to every active registered voter, 86.72% of ballots cast were mail ballots. In 2022, it was 88.64%. California lawmakers fretted that tens of thousands of mail ballots were rejected because they were returned too late, or because the voter had not signed the return envelope, or because the signature did not match the voter registration record on file. So they passed laws that allowed extra time and extra chances for voters to get it right. Counties are now required to accept ballots for seven days after the polls close, even without a postmark, as long as the voter “has dated the vote-by-mail ballot identification envelope or the envelope otherwise indicates that the ballot was executed on or before Election Day.” This and other lenient standards for accepting mail ballots can be found in the California Code of Regulations, Section 20991. In the current election, the counties accepted ballots through Nov. 12. But that’s not the end of the delays. Under state law, counties must notify voters if their ballot hasn’t been accepted due to a missing or mismatched signature and inform them that they can “cure” their signature by signing a form. This year, California enacted another law, Assembly Bill 3184, to ensure that voters are given the maximum amount of time to respond to the notice. Voters have until Dec. 1 to return the signed form. This week, several close races remained undecided with hundreds of thousands of ballots statewide still to count. This does not inspire confidence, especially since many changes to voting and election procedures that California has made in recent years have opened apparent vulnerabilities to cheating. In addition to mailing ballots to voters who did not request them and continuing to accept ballots for seven days after the polls close, the state legalized ballot “harvesting,” which enables an individual to return stacks or sacks of ballots to an unattended drop box or county elections office without triggering legal scrutiny. Before Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1921 in 2016, only a close relative or member of the same household could return a voter’s mail ballot. Then this year, Newsom signed Senate Bill 1174 to prohibit local governments from adopting a voter ID law. Last year he signed AB 969, making it illegal for counties to hand-count ballots in an election. Voters in California were promised paper ballots that could be audited, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Manual verification of machine-tabulated vote totals has become virtually impossible in the wake of the 2016 Voter’s Choice Act, SB 450, which threw out the local polling place model and allowed voters to cast their ballot in person at any “vote center” in the county. Returned ballots are no longer sorted by precinct. The state’s method of confirming the accuracy of a machine tally was always a manual tally of 1% of the precincts where in-person voting occurred, randomly chosen. That was changed in 2018 to substitute “batches” of ballots for precincts. But how can the public know if those numbers really match? What about recounts? Anyone who is willing to pay the cost may request a recount of any race, but retrieving the paper ballots requires paying county workers for weeks of work to find them. An alternative is to recount optical scans of ballots, but that is costly, too, due to the need for tech workers, computers and monitors. With the previous voting systems, recounts could be conducted by four clerks at a table, and the cost was in the tens of thousands of dollars. But in 2019, then-Secretary of State Alex Padilla decertified all those voting systems everywhere in the state and forced the counties to buy voting technology that counted optical scans. Now recounts cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some of the state’s actions seem like an engraved invitation to fraud. A 2010 law, SB 1404, required the secretary of state to regulate the tint and watermark on printed ballots. Ahead of every election, an advisory goes up on the state’s website to announce the exact ink color, watermark and printing instructions for official ballots. “The tint for the background and watermark is Pantone 372 U ‘Light Green’ (RGB 212, 238, 141/ CMYK 11, 0, 41, 7),” this year’s advisory explained. Do other states publish instructions for manufacturing official ballots? When so many security vulnerabilities are layered on top of each other, it appears to be possible to steal an election and get away with it. California officials claim they’ve made it easier to vote. It looks like they’ve made it easier to cheat. Write Susan@SusanShelley.com and follow her on Twitter @Susan_ShelleyChina export curbs to impact US clean energy, defense industries
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