Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. “As strikes wear on, they become more difficult to sustain, and if the public is not rallying behind you, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Brock University labour professor Larry Savage. More than 55,000 postal workers have been off the job in a strike that has lasted more than four weeks. However, an end may be in sight. With the two sides seemingly still far apart, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Friday that he's asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated deal is possible before the end of the year. If the board decides it's not possible, MacKinnon is asking that it order workers back on the job and extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025. In the meantime, a commission would examine the dispute and provide recommendations on how new deals can be reached. Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant says on the picket lines, Canada Post workers have been getting the support they need — plus coffee, doughnuts, fried chicken, knitted hats and socks, and even turkeys from citizens. But Savage said he feels overall public opinion has been mixed so far on the strike. “It’s not clear to me that either party is winning the war of public opinion,” he said. “(It) seems like a good chunk of people seem to not care about the strike, but those who do seem evenly split between Canada Post and the union. And I think lots of people are just frustrated and surprised that the strike has lasted this long.” That divide was reflected in a recent Angus Reid poll, though it was conducted during the third week of the work stoppage. The survey of just over 3,000 Canadians found 34 per cent sided with Canada Post and its demands, while 29 per cent stood with the union. The rest were unsure, or didn't support either side. Social media posts reflect the mixed opinions, with some people expressing frustration with the disruption and others proclaiming their support for striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor in the labour studies department at the University of Manitoba, said online discourse doesn’t tell the whole story. “It takes very little effort to post a comment on a story, but it takes much more to show up to a picket line,” he said. On the picket lines King has seen in Winnipeg, “CUPW has received lots of support,” he said, from the labour movement and the public. King and Savage said there’s been a broader trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years. “The fact that Canada Post isn't a profit-making, billionaire-owned company complicates it a little bit, because it's easier to go after a grocery baron, for example, than Canada Post,” said Savage. But both said even for the public sector, which Canadians historically have had less support for amid labour disputes, the public has been surprisingly onside over the past couple of years. “I think the public has been generally very understanding and receptive of workers' demands coming out of the pandemic,” said King. “I think there was a level of understanding that maybe wasn't there in previous years, that people really do understand that people are in a crunch, union members are in a cost of living squeeze, and they're sympathetic to their demands.” As the Canada Post strike dragged on, "I think there might be maybe some shifts in public opinion, and it might be harder to maintain, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” said King. But for the most part, “I would fit this strike into that longer pattern" of stronger support for striking workers, he said. Gallant said as the strike continued, there has been a lot of pressure on both sides to reach a deal. “We don't want to be the people that ruin Christmas,” he said. Business associations had called for government intervention, saying the strike was harming business owners during the key holiday season. The day the strike started, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on X that Canada Post is an essential service and shouldn’t be allowed to go on strike. But strikes are meant to disrupt “business as usual,” Savage pointed out — the anger of customers and business owners is intended to pressure employers to reach a deal. However, strikes “also risk alienating the public,” added Savage. “The trick is for the union to align its demands with the interests of the public. And that is like ... walking a tightrope,” said Savage. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said public support is important for workers during strikes because it not only boosts morale on the picket line, it puts pressure on the employer to come to the table. "I mean, they are really stuck, but there's pressure all the way around. There's pressure on the employer, and there's pressure on the union as well," she said. When a strike goes on for multiple weeks, "it's harder to see the end of the road," said Bruske. Groups within the labour movement like the Canadian Labour Congress try to keep the momentum going through social media, email campaigns and speaking to the media, she said. "Making sure that you maintain that momentum and that public support for the issue is critically important." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press
Four members of Congress unveiled a bipartisan bill Friday that would spark changes at the U.S. Center for SafeSport, placing a time limit on resolving cases that can sometimes take years and improving communication between the center and abuse survivors. The Safer Sports for Athletes Act looks to address some of the bigger concerns that have opened the center to criticism since it was established in 2017 to handle sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports and their grassroots cousins. The bill has potential for a fivefold increase of an existing grant to the center, bringing it to $10 million a year. But even if the full amount were approved, it wouldn't solve all of the problems. As before, that grant can only be used for training and education , not investigations and enforcement, which are the focus of complaints about the center , and also of the reforms the lawmakers are seeking. “We’re hoping the combination of appropriations for other activities will free up money for investigations, as well as the streamlining,” said one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina. The center estimates the reforms in the bill could cost more than $4.5 million. It currently operates on a budget of around $21 million a year, most of which comes from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and its sports affiliates, known as national governing bodies, or NGBs. “It's really unclear, and I don't think that some parts of the bill jibe with other parts of the bill," SafeSport CEO Ju'Riese Colon said. "We're going to need some more conversation to suss out some of this stuff. Right now, it just doesn't really add up for us.” The center's critics, meanwhile, have long been skeptical about giving more resources to an agency they feel is missing the mark. The bill would also mandate that investigations be concluded within 180 days after a report is made, with possibilities to extend them. Some of the most egregious complaints about the center have come from people who say it has taken years for their cases to be resolved. The center currently receives about 155 reports a week, which comes to more than 8,000 a year. When fully staffed, it has 77 people on its response and resolution team. “Too many other survivors have also been left waiting for years for SafeSport to investigate or have their cases closed without action,” said soccer player Mana Shim, who helped lawmakers draft the bill. Shim's own case, involving sexual harassment and coercion by her coach, took more than two years for the center to resolve and led to investigations and reforms across American soccer. Other reforms include a requirement for the center to provide victim advocates at no cost for those needing them — a move already underway as part of a menu of changes the center announced earlier this year — and to assign case managers who can give timely updates to victims and the accused. “I have questions around, if the center were to hire and staff the advocates, there might be some conflict of interest with us doing this internally," Colon said. The center was also concerned with one provision that would redefine how arbitration works and another that would change the dynamics of information sharing between the center and the USOPC and NGBs. The other bill sponsors were Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio; Don Bacon, R-Nebraska; and Kathy Castor, D-Florida. The lawmakers positioned the bill as one that will help the Denver-based center, while making clear they are not satisfied with the results so far. “We're going to make sure the center has the resources it needs to effectively respond to thousands of reports it handles annually,” Castor said. “It has unfortunately fallen short." Ross conceded this bill will probably get pushed to the next Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, “but we needed to set the stage as soon as possible.” ___ AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games Eddie Pells, The Associated PressSocial Media Tag Supporting Seungri Gets Taken Over By Unexpcted TrollingBy Lisa Curry Everyone is feeling the pinch these days — charities, postal workers and the communities we serve. At Megaphone, instead of succumbing to division — a tactic often used to weaken collective power — we are choosing solidarity. Regardless of personal opinions about the current postal strike or its outcome, we are grateful that unions continue to exist to champion workers’ rights, despite their imperfections and decades of systemic efforts to dismantle them. At Megaphone, we believe everyone deserves safe, meaningful and dignified work. Contrary to prevalent narratives around poverty and its related challenges, we know that people want to work. Humans are inherently social beings, driven to contribute and connect with their communities. Despite this, societal messaging often paints a harmful picture, claiming that certain people don’t want to work or contribute. The truth is more complex. Many folks face barriers that make participation in traditional workplace environments difficult, if not impossible. People with disabilities, mental health challenges, or issues with executive functioning — such as memory, planning or focus — are often excluded by economic ideologies that value efficiency over accessibility. These systems, built on a “survival of the fittest” ethos, leave little room for those who don’t fit the mold. Through our programs, we provide accessible, meaningful opportunities for self-determined work. Our Vendor Mentorship Program exemplifies this commitment. For those unfamiliar, our Vendor Program is open to anyone, no questions asked, allowing vendors to work when and wherever it is best for them. That said, selling Megaphone products on the streets of Vancouver is no easy task. We live in an increasingly isolated and even hostile society, and many of our vendors face significant barriers to connecting with the larger community. Our Vendor Mentorship Program, launched in May of 2023, bridges this gap by offering new vendors three paid mentorship sessions with a veteran vendor. These sessions provide essential skills, peer support and a small cash boost to help new vendors start buying products to sell on their own It’s been a hugely successful endeavour, and in September, this program won an international award for “Best Vendor Support” at the International Network of Street Papers conference in Liverpool, England. As such, our current annual Winter Campaign is fundraising for this specific program, which is essential to our operations. However, the current postal strike has put us in a precarious position, with our mailouts ready to go... but grounded as the dispute drags on. So our team of staff, board members and volunteers are hitting the streets in December to deliver fundraising packages on foot across Vancouver, North Vancouver and Burnaby. If you like what we do, please watch for these envelopes, or consider making a donation online at megaphonemagazine.com/donate . We also now accept gifts of securities.And don’t forget to buy your 2025 Hope in Shadows calendar — while quantities last! The two sheets of vendor-designed wrapping paper you will find in this issue of the magazine are the perfect fit for wrapping up the calendars, so your gift-giving is covered! Our vendors are out in full force throughout Vancouver, but if you have trouble finding one, give us a call at 604-255-9701, ext. 137.
In conclusion, the 4.9% year-on-year growth in China's goods trade volume for the first 11 months of the year demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of China's foreign trade in the face of challenges. By leveraging its strengths, embracing opportunities, and pursuing a balanced and sustainable development path, China is well-positioned to navigate the complex global trade landscape and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the global economy.The Houston Texans are back to their winning ways as they prepare to face the Tennessee Titans. Considering that the Titans are still licking their wounds from the lashing they took from Minnesota, everything looks set up for a Texans win here. It may be tempting for DFS players to buy low for some Titans, but there is little reason to predict that they will perform well in this game. Texans vs. Titans Start Em’ Here are a few of the players that we are leaning on heavily in this game. These players are in a good spot to put together a solid performance and have a favorable matchup. In terms of fantasy sports, it’s been a while since C.J. Stroud lit the stat sheet up. He had some rough losses without his main receivers, and even with Collins back he turned in only a serviceable performance against Dallas. The Texans have a strong run defense, so that might force the team to throw the ball more, which should result in an increase in Stroud’s numbers this week. While Collins played well in his comeback game against Dallas, he also didn’t light up the stat sheet. A big reason why that was the case, though, is that Mixon scored 3 touchdowns. Since the Titans have a better run defense, Collins might have more opportunities in the red zone. He was on pace for wide receiver one on the year before his injury, so it’s well-documented how big of an impact he can have. Tank Dell is more of a risky investment considering that he hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him at the beginning of the season. Looking at his target share, though, he is still a big part of this offense. Even with Collins returning, Dell got 7 targets in the win against Dallas. Assuming he gets the same amount of snaps against Tennessee, he should be in for a solid performance. Texans vs. Titans Sit Em’ On the flip side of things, here are a few of the players we are sitting in this one. It may be more simple to just say “sit the Titans” in general. This isn’t the case just because Tennessee is having a bad year; it’s the matchup. Ridley will have to get open against Derek Stingley Jr. and have a decent ball thrown to him by Levis, who will probably be running for his life in the backfield. Ridley is still a great talent, but given his 58 yards against Minnesota, he clearly isn’t matchup-proof. In the Minnesota game, Levis led the Titans in rushing. Just go ahead and let that sink in. This is also with the lion’s share of snaps, as the Titans aren’t placing him behind Tyjae Spears in the depth chart even if he’s out due to a concussion. Pollard will be the leadback against a Texans team that will force Tennessee to throw to win, so the pathway to a good game just isn’t here for him . Many fans are hoping that Tyler Boyd may one day return to the greatness he displayed when he was in Cincinnati, but that day won’t be Sunday in Week 12. Levis will have to face down a stout Texans pass rush, so if he has a bad game, Boyd’s performance will naturally suffer as well. He will also be covered by Karamir Lassiter, who is having a good season at cornerback. Texans vs. Titans Lock Is Mixon getting any nods for potential MVP? Probably not considering how well other backs like Derrick Henry are playing. However, there isn’t much to be sad about looking at Mixon’s numbers. There have only been two games in this entire season where Mixon did NOT rush over 100 yards. Any players who have lots of money to throw around and want a sure thing should just spend on Mixon. Texans vs. Titans Fade It’s definitely a tough stretch of the season for Will Levis. Playing Minnesota and Houston back-to-back doesn’t sound like fun. Levis has shown glimpses here and there of some strong quarterback play, so it may be wise to buy him cheap down the road if there is a better matchup for him. Don’t play him if the Titans are going up against any playoff teams, though. This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Arturo Peña Romano Medina/E+ via Getty Images ADC Therapeutics ( NYSE: ADCT ) is continuing to make strides with the advancement of its drug ZYNLONTA [Loncastuximab Tesirine-lpyl] for the treatment of patients with DLBCL. Specifically, this company has already received Accelerated Approval of this This article is published by Terry Chrisomalis, who runs the Biotech Analysis Central pharmaceutical service on Seeking Alpha Marketplace. If you like what you read here and would like to subscribe to, I'm currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to take advantage of. My service offers a deep-dive analysis of many pharmaceutical companies. The Biotech Analysis Central SA marketplace is $49 per month, but for those who sign up for the yearly plan will be able to take advantage of a 33.50% discount price of $399 per year. Terry Chrisomalis is a private investor in the Biotech sector with years of experience utilizing his Applied Science background to generate long term value from Healthcare. He is the author of the investing group Biotech Analysis Central which contains a library of 600+ Biotech investing articles, a model portfolio of 10+ small and mid-cap stocks with deep analysis for each, live chat, and a range of analysis and news reports to help Healthcare investors make informed decisions. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Social Media Tag Supporting Seungri Gets Taken Over By Unexpcted TrollingOne of the key outcomes of the symposium was the establishment of a joint working group comprising representatives from BYD Co., Ltd. and vocational schools. This group will be responsible for coordinating future collaboration efforts, monitoring progress, and ensuring that the objectives set during the symposium are met.
1. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Packages: If you receive a package that you were not expecting, especially if it appears to be empty or from an unknown sender, proceed with caution. Do not be quick to open or respond to any messages claiming you have won a prize.
Nvidia has also underscored its belief that it can succeed in the market through the strength of its technology, innovation, and dedication to customer satisfaction. The company has a long history of delivering groundbreaking products that have revolutionized the computing industry, and it is committed to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in the future.
In today's Daily Fix:Assassin's Creed Shadows will have an optional feature where you don't need to worry about story decisions at all. Unofficially dubbed 'canon mode,' the feature will let you focus on gameplay while the game itself handles important dialogue options that affect the game's story. Perfect if you get nervous about making decisions, or just don't care about the story and want to go back to assassinatin'. In other news, a new trailer has leaked for Mafia: The Old Country, and it features a release window. The Game Awards are tonight, so maybe we'll see it officially revealed then? And finally, a new Mew-focused set is coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket.
NexGold and Signal Gold Complete Business CombinationAs the season progresses, Fulham fans can take heart in the team's fighting spirit and commitment to giving their all in every match, knowing that players like Bérgsson are driving the team forward with their passion and dedication to the cause. The draw against Arsenal may be just one result, but it speaks volumes about the character and potential of this Fulham side under Bérgsson's leadership.