International
Why the U.S. is experiencing the largest strike and unionization boom in 50 years and its economic consequences
August 17|
The Hollywood strike is the most obvious (and glamorous) face of a union movement that has been gaining strength in the U.S., and which this summer has produced the largest number of workers willing to fold their arms in the country in the last 50 years.
Between screenwriters, actors and unionized Hollywood workers, some 175,000 people have joined the strike since mid-July, even refraining from promoting the two biggest films of the moment, “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”
On the other hand, the 340,000 employees of the U.S. postal company UPS came close to declaring a total strike on August 1, which was averted thanks to a preliminary labor agreement.
Pre-settlement estimates had established that just ten days of service disruption would have cost UPS close to US$7 billion.
In July, the United Auto Workers announced that its 150,000 members are preparing to go on strike if the so-called Detroit Big Three (Ford, Stellantis and General Motors) do not comply with agreed terms for contract renewals in September. Negotiations are still ongoing.
According to an analysis by Cornell University’s school of labor relations, as of early August, 900 strikes were ongoing in the U.S.-more than 300 of them in the United States. -more than 300 of them in California, the state responsible for 15% of the nation’s GDP.
According to U.S. labor market specialists who spoke to the BBC, 2023 represents a recent historic milestone for the revival of unionism in the country.
The trend had already been recorded as far back as 2022. A February study by the Economic Policy Institute think tank reported a nearly 50% increase in the number of workers involved in major strikes between 2021 and last year.
In 2023, a similar jump should be recorded. While the country reported 23 large mobilizations in 2021 (involving at least a few thousand employees), 2023 has so far reported 44 strikes with that same profile.
The vigor of the workers’ movements – and the fear produced by their effects – led U.S. President Joe Biden, who calls himself “proudly pro-worker,” to appeal to Congress to disarm a movement that threatened to paralyze 115,000 railroad workers in December.
In the U.S., Congress has the power to impose labor agreements and prevent strikes in some essential services. Biden argued that a rail strike could be catastrophic for the country’s economy.
International
Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport
Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.
Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.
The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.
International
U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran
Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.
In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.
In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.
Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”
Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.
International
German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.
Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.
“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”
The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.
The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.
“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”
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