Labor

Innovate Illinois Drives Decatur’s Selection as EDA Recompete Pilot Program Finalist, Springfield Secures Strategy Grant

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 22, 2023
Other Manufacturing, Labor, Public Policy, Government, Manufacturing, Other Education, White House, Federal Government, Training, State, Local, Education, CHIPS, Workforce, Economic development, Innovation, EDA, CHIPS and Science Act, Student, Inflation, Enrichment, ADM, Science, Richland Community College, Business, Employment

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced that Decatur is 1 of 22 finalists in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program , alongside Springfield's receiving a Strategy Development Grant.

Key Points: 
  • The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced that Decatur is 1 of 22 finalists in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program , alongside Springfield's receiving a Strategy Development Grant.
  • Supported by Innovate Illinois, Decatur emerged as a top contender out of over 400 applications, exemplifying an innovative strategy to propel workforce development and economic recovery.
  • The EDA program will invest $200 million in communities across the country with the goal of spurring job opportunities.
  • “The CHIPS Act and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to open doors for Illinois working families,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Strategic Organizing Center Comments on Starbucks’ Recent Efforts to Reframe its Track Record of Human Capital Mismanagement

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Courts, Public Policy, Government, Retail, Advocacy Group Opinion, Labor, Food, Beverage, National Labor Relations Board, Schedule, Annual general meeting, SBUX, Principle, Letter, NLRB, Administrative law, Participation, BLUE, Proxy, Strategic Organizing Center, Trade, Workers United, Nature, SOC

Joshua Gotbaum and Wilma Liebman – for election to the Starbucks Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).

Key Points: 
  • Joshua Gotbaum and Wilma Liebman – for election to the Starbucks Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”).
  • The SOC is a coalition of labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union (“SEIU”).
  • Notably, Starbucks’ own report, released on December 13, 2023, states that the Company did not understand or give consideration to its labor rights commitments in the context of recent organizing.
  • Since November 2021, the NLRB has issued over 120 complaints against Starbucks, covering about 420 charges of violating federal labor law.

Joint Effort by Exelon and Transportation Electrification Advocates Shows the Electric School Bus Transition Will Provide Wide-Ranging Health, Environmental and Societal Benefits

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Automotive Manufacturing, Alternative Energy, State, Local, Energy, Manufacturing, Other Education, Other Policy Issues, Labor, Education, Environment, Public Policy, Government, General Automotive, Transport, Automotive, Public Transport, Utilities, Quality of life, Travel, Partnership, Risk, IRA, Student, Environmental protection, Inflation, Health, EXC, WRI, Disability, IIJA, EEI, Edison Electric Institute, Climate change, EPRI, World Resources Institute, Renewable energy

So far, the program has awarded $1 billion to 349 school bus operators in 2022, supporting the replacement of approximately 2,500 school buses.

Key Points: 
  • So far, the program has awarded $1 billion to 349 school bus operators in 2022, supporting the replacement of approximately 2,500 school buses.
  • “At Exelon, we are committed to sustainable progress, particularly in communities where there are marked disparities such as air quality.
  • “Electric school buses provide many benefits to the utility as well as the community.
  • “This new whitepaper describes the electric power sector’s unique and critical role in school bus electrification.

Coalition Raises Concerns Regarding Supply Chain Challenges in California, Farmers, Businesses, & Labor Request Dialogue with Governor Newsom

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Environment, Labor, Maritime, Advocacy Group Opinion, Environmental Policy, Transport, Public Policy, Government, State, Local, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Investment, Organization, San Joaquin Valley, COVID, Ship, Letter, Agriculture, Food, Renewable energy

State regulations not properly supported by infrastructure, investments, and flexibility in implementing timelines create insurmountable problems for all Californians.

Key Points: 
  • State regulations not properly supported by infrastructure, investments, and flexibility in implementing timelines create insurmountable problems for all Californians.
  • Inevitably imports and exports at our many California ports will slow to a crawl as they did during COVID.
  • With that will come less available food and other supplies, higher prices, the loss of thousands of supply chain jobs, and worsening economic conditions throughout California, especially in disadvantaged rural communities.
  • Fortunately, California is presently making significant progress in air quality within the limits of technology and funding (e.g.

PBIRx, the Premier Pharmacy Benefit Consulting Firm, Celebrates 30 Years with Record Growth

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Consulting, Practice Management, Professional Services, Health, State, Local, Pharmaceutical, Labor, Hospitals, Public Policy, Government, Insurance, Human Resources, Organization, PBM, Pharmacy, Environment, Growth, Audit

PBIRx, Inc. is proud to mark its 30th anniversary as the premier pharmacy benefit auditing and consulting firm with a year of record-setting growth and a continued 99% client retention rate.

Key Points: 
  • PBIRx, Inc. is proud to mark its 30th anniversary as the premier pharmacy benefit auditing and consulting firm with a year of record-setting growth and a continued 99% client retention rate.
  • Growth in 2023 extended to a significant investment in technology, the cornerstone of PBIRx’s data-driven solutions, outpacing the evolution of the ever-changing pharmacy benefit landscape.
  • We will continue to leverage our technology and expertise to help organizations navigate the complex pharmacy benefit environment, identify client-specific cost drivers, and achieve better outcomes for their members.”
    PBIRx is not a PBM (pharmacy benefit manager).
  • “With over 30 years of experience, PBIRx epitomizes Pharmacy Benefit Intelligence,” said Sirowich.

Milliman annual Public Pension Funding Study finds public pensions shifted portion of equity, fixed income assets to private equity and real estate

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023
Insurance, Human Resources, Labor, Finance, Consulting, Banking, Congressional News, Views, Professional Services, Public Policy, Government, Other Policy Issues, Milliman, Pension fund

Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the results of its annual Public Pension Funding Study (PPFS), which explores the funded status of the nation’s 100 largest public defined benefit pension plans.

Key Points: 
  • Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the results of its annual Public Pension Funding Study (PPFS), which explores the funded status of the nation’s 100 largest public defined benefit pension plans.
  • It includes detailed analysis of cash flows, cost of benefits, and total pension liability, as well as funding projections through November 30, 2023.
  • “From 2013 through 2022, the PPFS asset allocation was largely stable, but our 2023 study saw a noticeable move from equity and fixed income into private equity and real estate,” said Becky Sielman, co-author of Milliman’s PPFS.
  • “In addition, the 2023 study found a 10% increase in retiree population.”
    To view Milliman’s annual Public Pension Funding Study, go to http://www.milliman.com/ppfs .

UNITE HERE Local 11: Major Breakthrough! Nine Marriott Hotels and One More Hilton Sign Agreements, Doubling Total to Twenty in Less than A Week

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Commercial Building & Real Estate, Construction & Property, Labor, Public Policy, Government, Restaurant, Bar, Food, Beverage, State, Local, Lodging, Retail, Travel, Aimbridge Hospitality, Airport, University, JW Marriott Hotels, UNITE, Hotel

The W Hollywood is the lone Marriott not included because of outstanding contract issues there.

Key Points: 
  • The W Hollywood is the lone Marriott not included because of outstanding contract issues there.
  • Brenda Mendoza, a uniform attendant at the JW Marriott LA Live said, “I am incredibly proud that my coworkers and I fought for this life-changing contract.
  • With this latest announcement, a total of twenty Southern California hotels have now signed agreements with UNITE HERE Local 11.
  • While Marriott and some Hilton hotels have led the way, other operators like Aimbridge Hospitality continue to refuse to meet the new hotel contract standard.

New Data from Inspira AI Predicts: Nine out of 10 Office Jobs Gone Forever as a Result of AI

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Software, Research, Professional Services, Venture Capital, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Labor, Science, Human Resources, Other Technology, Consulting, Public Policy, Government, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Springer Nature, Public policy, Automation, Proton Inspira, University, Management, AI

Inspira CEO, Izzy Traub, commented on the data, “There has been a lot of public chatter about AI-related job losses forecasted in the 40-50% range.

Key Points: 
  • Inspira CEO, Izzy Traub, commented on the data, “There has been a lot of public chatter about AI-related job losses forecasted in the 40-50% range.
  • What is not taken into consideration is that AI will also take most of these new jobs as well.
  • Automating office work is easier and less costly, and thus office jobs will be impacted more extensively.
  • The work that Inspira is doing is groundbreaking and is sure to have a profound impact on countless lives”.

UNITE HERE Local 11: First LAX Strikes in 20 Years Pose Potential Fiduciary Risk for Public Pension Funds

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Professional Services, Transportation, State, Local, Commercial Building & Real Estate, Construction & Property, Travel, Labor, Air, Transport, REIT, Finance, Public Policy, Government, CalPERS, Policy, Investment, Labour, LAX, Coffee, WSIB, PAI Partners, Airport, University, Hatred, Housing, Dunkin, Biophysical environment, UNITE, California Pizza Kitchen, PAI, Los Angeles International Airport, Area, Restaurant, ESG

“My coworkers and I are on strike because our futures depend on us fighting for what we deserve,” said Joshawa Nichols, fast food attendant at Areas.

Key Points: 
  • “My coworkers and I are on strike because our futures depend on us fighting for what we deserve,” said Joshawa Nichols, fast food attendant at Areas.
  • Workers went to Olympia to testify about the ongoing strikes and the potential fiduciary risks they pose for the boards’ beneficiaries.
  • UNITE HERE Local 11 members have testified at numerous pension fund board meetings over the past eight months.
  • On November 13, California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) was the first fund to pass a comprehensive Labor Principles policy.

UNITE HERE Local 11: Strike Deadline This Weekend for Advent International-owned Aimbridge Hospitality Hotels in Los Angeles

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Public Policy, Government, State, Local, Labor, Vacation, Lodging, Travel, Advent International, Aimbridge Hospitality, Belmont High School, Holiday Inn, Theft, Child, Airport, University, Refugee, Los Angeles Times, UNITE, Restaurant, Weeping Angel, Hotel, Advent, Pressure

Workers at the Sheraton Park Anaheim operated by Aimbridge walked out on strike again today as the company has failed to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement.

Key Points: 
  • Workers at the Sheraton Park Anaheim operated by Aimbridge walked out on strike again today as the company has failed to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement.
  • On October 23, 2023, the Los Angeles Times published an in-depth article reporting that several prominent Los Angeles hotels had brought in unhoused refugees from Venezuela and Colombia to replace their own workers during recent strikes.
  • The $463 billion California Public Employees Retirement System , which has invested $2.9 billion in Advent, is in the process of engaging with the firm regarding issues with Aimbridge Hospitality.
  • UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona that work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers and airports.