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On August 23, according to Iranian sources on August 22, Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Tarai-nik stated in an interview that Irans overall weapons and defense equipment production has doubled over the past year. Production of some strategic equipment prioritized for wartime deployment has even more than tripled. To maintain military secrecy, some equipment systems have not yet been publicly displayed. He also stated that if the enemy makes another foolish mistake, it will face an even greater defeat.August 23 - Following the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Honshu, Japan, numerous injuries have been reported. As of 4:00 AM local time, nine people were injured in Saitama Prefecture, and as of 5:00 AM local time, three people were injured in Kanagawa Prefecture. Additionally, some people in Tokyo sustained cuts from broken glass. According to the Tokyo Fire Department, approximately 30 earthquake-related calls had been received as of 3:00 AM local time on the 23rd.On August 23, according to the New York Times, U.S. Trade Representative Greer revealed previously undisclosed trade proposals to Canada on Saturday, stating that these measures would grant Canada the most favorable treatment among all its trading partners. Greer stated that the Trump administration had promised to eliminate the 10% softwood lumber tariff imposed last year under Section 232, and also proposed reducing the 25% auto tariff imposed by Trump last year. Furthermore, because Canada could receive further tax reductions if its vehicles contain any U.S. parts, the auto tariff could have been reduced to 7%. The U.S. also proposed reducing metal tariffs, one of Canadas top concerns. The U.S. proposed reducing tariffs on most Canadian steel exports to the U.S. from 50% to 25% under the so-called tariff quota system, and for aluminum, the U.S. would reduce tariffs from 50% to 25%, without quota restrictions. For downstream products using steel and aluminum as raw materials, the U.S. proposed reducing tariffs by 10 to 25 percentage points, with a minimum of 15%. He also stated that the Trump administration had originally planned to suspend the 50% tariffs imposed on Canadian dairy products, wine, hockey sticks, and other goods that would begin early Saturday morning, while also cooperating on other issues such as key minerals and cargo transshipment. Greer refuted Canadian Prime Minister Carneys claim that "the U.S. is asking for too much and giving too little," stating that the U.S. proposal would "continue to provide them with the best market access and further improve those conditions."U.S. Trade Representative Greer: The United States could have postponed the 50% tariffs imposed on Canadian dairy products and wine.U.S. Trade Representative Greer: The U.S. has proposed lowering tariffs on most Canadian steel products to 25% and reducing tariffs on aluminum products from 50% to 25%.

Analysis-Amazon Win Offers Unions Hope, But Problems Remain

Haiden Holmes

Apr 02, 2022 09:27

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The news on Friday that the United States' first-ever union would be joining the country's second-largest private employer ricocheted across labor organizations, as they started to see a road forward for enlisting employees and reversing decades of decline in their numbers.


Amazon now seems to be a more manageable target for them, albeit it remains a difficult one. Around 55% of votes cast at the Staten Island site went to the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), a newly formed organization led by former Amazon employee Christian Smalls.


The corporation said that it may submit objections and that regardless of whether or not the ALU's victory is formalized, it must still win a contract.


This may be as difficult as winning an election, according to Gregory DeFreitas, a Hofstra University professor of labor economics.


According to a federal document, Amazon spent more than $4 million on labor consultants in 2021 to attempt to convince employees.


"Amazon just has enormous resources for fighting unions and an enormous willingness to do whatever it takes to stay union-free," said John Logan, a San Francisco State University professor who researches anti-union operations.


Duplicating Amazon's success may be challenging. Local expertise and warehouse experience aided the ALU's leadership, which at times attempted to disassociate themselves from the efforts of national labor organizations.


"What succeeds are the leaders who employees know and trust," said Burt Flickinger, managing director of retail consultant Strategic Resource Group, who assisted several unions on organizing Amazon. Flickinger anticipates union organizing efforts to concentrate on more warehouses and Amazon-owned Whole Foods Market locations, noting that unions will need to rebuild depleted financial coffers in order to organize.


The victory in New York follows numerous previous victories at Starbucks coffee outlets. Additionally, it contributes to the perception that the labor movement is evolving. According to Joshua Freeman, a history professor at the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, the ALU used creative organizing strategies, gaining momentum via social media.

The ALU solicited funds through a GoFundMe page.

Simultaneously, established unions are attempting to assist ALU leader Smalls. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is extending "any assistance we can," according to Mary Kay Henry, the union's president.

'SPREAD LIKE A BURNING FIRE'

On Friday, the renewed purpose was obvious among union leaders.


The Teamsters, who have been a stalwart opponent of Amazon's refusal to unionize one of its US locations for years, are continue their struggle "on the work floor, at the negotiating table, and on the streets," General President Sean O'Brien stated after the ALU's triumph.


At the SEIU's national headquarters, people cheered and leapt with excitement.


In an interview, Henry said, "This will spread like wildfire." "It's a great source of encouragement for employees opposing the five main airline businesses, for workers battling Starbucks."


Though not finalized, a lost union vote at Amazon's Bessemer, Alabama warehouse prompted some to fear that the ALU's triumph would be limited to labor-friendly states such as New York. That is not the case, according to Logan, the labor professor.


The next battleground will be on Staten Island this month at a second Amazon facility, but some of the company's food workers, as well as other employees and contractors, are mobilizing in Seattle.


"Suddenly, attempting to create a union at Amazon does not seem so pointless," Logan said, adding, "If you can win at Amazon, you can win elsewhere."