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North American Edition
27th September 2023
 
THE HOT STORY
President Biden shows unprecedented support for striking autoworkers
President Biden made an unprecedented show of support for striking autoworkers by joining them on the picket line in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Wearing a union ballcap, Biden urged the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikers to continue fighting for better wages. He expressed his belief that the UAW members deserve a 40% raise and criticized auto companies for not meeting union demands. This visit marks the first time a modern president has joined an ongoing strike, highlighting Biden's pro-union stance. However, the strike poses a dilemma for the Biden administration as it aligns with the White House's clean-energy agenda, which includes a shift to electric vehicles that may result in job losses for UAW members. Despite criticism from former President Trump, Biden's visit demonstrates his commitment to cultivating union support as he runs for reelection. The negotiations between automakers and the UAW are ongoing, and the union has threatened to escalate the strike if necessary.
WORKFORCE
Only America's richest 20% still have excess pandemic savings
The latest Federal Reserve study of household finances found that Americans who do not rank among the wealthiest 20% of the country have run out of extra savings, and after adjusting for inflation now have less cash on hand than at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Among the richest fifth of the nation, cash savings are still about 8% above their level when COVID-19 hit; however, the poorest two-fifths of Americans have seen an 8% drop in that period, while other 40%saw their cash savings drop below pre-pandemic levels in the last quarter. Overall, household net worth jumped by some $5.5tn in the three months to the end of June, an increase driven by housing, and gains for stocks, whose ownership tips toward wealthier households.
1 in 6 American adults engage in gig work, Pew report finds
A 2021 report by the Pew Research Center revealed that roughly 1 in 6 American adults have engaged in gig work for platforms such as Uber, Lyft and DoorDash. These jobs promise flexibility but often pay less than the minimum wage and lack basic protections. New York City and other communities have passed legislation guaranteeing minimum wage and benefits for gig workers. At least 10 states have considered programs to provide traditional workplace benefits to gig workers. The push for gig worker rights comes amid a global reconsideration of labor rights in the gig economy. Gig companies oppose efforts to reclassify gig workers, arguing it would jeopardize flexibility and raise consumer costs. While gig companies support portable benefits programs, critics argue they trade away employee status. Lawmakers face difficult trade-offs as they take on powerful tech corporations and seek to protect gig workers. Gig workers are demanding better conditions and protections as they fight for their rights.
Hollywood writers reach tentative labor agreement with major studios
Hollywood writers reached a tentative labor agreement with major studios, expected to end one of two strikes that have halted most film and television production and cost the California economy billions. The three-year contract must be approved by members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents 11,500 film and television scribes, before it can take effect.
DSG to recruit 8,600 workers for holiday season
Dick's Sporting Goods plans to recruit 8,600 workers across the U.S. for the holiday shopping season, a decrease from the previous year. DSG also said it will be closing all its outlets and distribution centres on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 23rd this year. The company's hiring plans align with the conservative holiday hiring strategies of other retailers such as Target and Macy's. A report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed that US retailers are expected to hire the lowest number of seasonal workers since 2008 due to increased labour costs. 
TECHNOLOGY
Gig workers create apps to combat sexist algorithms
Cleaners, couriers, and cabbies worldwide are developing their own apps to address the gender bias they face on existing job platforms. These apps aim to counteract sexist algorithms that penalize women who prioritize their domestic responsibilities. Women in Brazil and South Africa are leading the charge, creating platforms such as We Care and An Nisa that prioritize fairness and accountability. These apps allow women to have control over their work hours, pay levels, and algorithmic programming. They also ensure equal access to opportunities and prevent negative ratings due to family emergencies. The cooperative Senoritas Courier in Brazil employs only women and transgender individuals, using bicycles to deliver non-food items. These initiatives are part of a larger movement to empower gig workers and fight for fair wages, freedom from violence, and ownership of data. By creating their own apps, gig workers are taking a step towards achieving decent work and challenging the existing system.
HIRING
UPS to hire over 100,000 workers for holiday rush
UPS plans to hire over 100,000 workers at higher pay than last year to handle the holiday rush. The company has a tentative five-year contract agreement with the Teamsters union, which includes increased pay and benefits for part-time and full-time workers. Seasonal package drivers will start with hourly pay of $23, while package handlers will receive $21 for the holiday period. Despite the higher pay, UPS is uncertain about finding enough workers due to the tight job market. However, the rising cost of living may entice people to seek extra jobs during the holidays. UPS is also facing challenges such as a shortage of younger people with drivers' licenses and the trend of using ride-share apps instead of driving. UPS promotes seasonal jobs as opportunities for year-round employment, with nearly 50,000 seasonal employees earning permanent positions in the past two years. The company has streamlined its hiring process, offering job offers within 20 minutes of filling out an online application.
HYBRID WORKING
The future of office design: Hybrid work and flexible spaces
State Street, Sun Life, and CarGurus are among the Boston-area companies adapting their office spaces for hybrid work and flexible arrangements. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a shift in office design, with assigned cubicles and offices being replaced by touch-down spaces, coffee bars, and neighborhoods. The new office designs feature improved collaborative environments, movable furniture, enhanced communal spaces, and unassigned workstations grouped by "neighborhoods." Employers are investing in sprucing up their offices to attract employees and improve collaboration and corporate culture. Sun Life, for example, transformed its office into a magnet with kitchens, living room areas, and three zones for different types of work. The future of office design is focused on providing flexibility and meaningful in-person experiences for employees. Companies are sculpting workplaces with higher-end touches and amenities to draw talent. While some companies are downsizing their office spaces, others are expanding to accommodate the importance of office life and real-time collaboration. The office landscape is changing to meet the needs of hybrid work and flexible spaces.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Silicosis epidemic: The deadly threat to stone workers
Silicosis, an incurable and suffocating lung disease, is devastating stone workers in California. The popularity of countertops made of engineered stone, which contains high concentrations of silica, has led to an epidemic of the disease. Young workers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are being affected, with some dying in their 30s. The disease leaves workers short of breath and weakened, often leading to lung failure. The risk is serious, with estimates suggesting that as many as 161 workers could ultimately die in California alone. Safety measures, such as water spraying systems and protective respirators, are recommended but often not followed. Efforts are being made to draft emergency rules to protect workers, and there are discussions about potentially banning the sale and installation of silica engineered stone. The stone industry argues for better enforcement of safety regulations, while critics call for a ban on the dangerous product. Consumers are largely unaware of the threat posed to workers behind their countertops.
INTERNATIONAL
U.K. office attendance at 40% as workers embrace flexibility
A survey on working habits in the UK has revealed that just 40% of employees are currently working five days a week in the office. Commuting time, the cost of eating out for lunch and other expenses are the biggest barriers to working full time at the office, said researchers in the report from Ipsos Karian and Box. Younger staff members, in particular, have expressed concerns about missing out on skills development when working remotely. Nearly half of workers aged 18 to 24 said they "always" or "frequently" felt lonely if they spent half their working week at home. Additionally, they feared they were learning fewer "critical skills" necessary for career progression and promotions. The survey suggested that employees who spend three days a week in the office strike the right balance between office and remote work, enabling effective career development discussions and idea generation.
Calls for three-day weeks for over-50s
A Swedish-style three-day working week for over-50s should be introduced in Britain, according to former Pensions Minister Ros Altmann. Baroness Altmann said the system could encourage older people to stay in work rather than retire early, helping some of the country’s workforce issues. She also recommended tax breaks for employers to make hiring older people more attractive. She added: “The whole point is you should have money in your 80s and 90s, not spend it all in your 50s and 60s. There are incentives in the system, but the industry and the pension products are not working to encourage people to not take their pension.”
 


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