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
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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