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☆ Scorching temperatures are making delivery a dangerous job — and it's only getting worse
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Even outside the hottest US states, heat that delivery workers aren't used to can be dangerous. Several delivery driver deaths have triggered changes. In recent years, delivery drivers reporting heat-related illnesses were second only to construction workers, according to OSHA statistics reported by E&E News. The 2022 death of 24-year-old Esteban Chavez, a UPS driver in Southern California, made national headlines. But his death came less than a year before the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents UPS workers, began re-negotiating its contract with UPS.

Persons: aren't, Jeff Goodell, Goodell, Shawndu Stackhouse, Tom Williams, Esteban Chavez, AccuWeather, Chavez wasn't, wasn't, Chavez, Spencer Platt, it's, James Daniels, San Clemente , CA, Irfan Khan, Greg Abbott Organizations: FedEx, heatwave, OSHA, E, D.C, Inc, Getty, Brotherhood of Teamsters, UPS, —, Los, Los Angeles County Coroner's, Labor Department, of Occupational Safety, Health, Broadway, New York City, Postal Service, it's, Los Angeles Times, Amazon, Texas Gov Locations: Portland, Yosemite, Vermont —, Northeast Washington, Northern California, Southern California, Pasadena , California, Los Angeles County, California, New york City, New York, Texas, San Clemente ,, New York City

☆ Why are frozen vegetable prices so high? Blame war, fewer immigrants and California weather, say economists
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Some areas were just inundated," which had the effect of decreasing vegetable supply, Tronstad said. Overall, the state accounts for nearly half of U.S. vegetable production, according to California Polytechnic State University. George Rose/Getty ImagesBut weather — and its negative impact on crop supply — isn't the only contributor to higher prices for frozen vegetables. The higher prices give farmers a "strong incentive" to plant these commodity products over others (like vegetables), a dynamic that could decrease vegetable supply, Bodor said. Labor supply pressured by reduced Mexican migrationLong-term immigration trends are also serving to put upward pressure on labor costs for farmers, economists said.

Persons: Tayfun, Tronstad, Pam Knox, George Rose, Alison Bodor, Bodor, Trey Malone, Zach Rutledge, Rutledge, Russell Tronstad Organizations: Anadolu Agency, Getty, State, Central Valley . Citizen, Getty Images, California Department of Food, Agriculture, California Polytechnic State University, University of Georgia, Food, Growers, University of Arkansas, Labor, Michigan State University, University of Arizona U.S, Agricultural Workers Survey, University of California Locations: Lompoc , California, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley ., Getty Images California, brussels, U.S, Ukraine, Sacramento, San Joaquin Rivers, Rio Vista , California, Mexico, Davis

☆ Kissing a Fellow Janitor Amid the Trash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Elizabeth Endicott | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Mortified, I fished them from my pocket and began sifting through the trash more carefully. Mere weeks before, I had been tutoring the children of migrant agricultural workers around Flathead Lake in northern Montana, after graduating from the University of Montana. I emerged from the belly of the C-17 military plane into a powerful wind that pushed the temperature to 40 degrees below zero. Among my duties was organizing each building’s trash center, an initial step before solid waste technicians retrieved, palletized and shipped it all back to America. Trash centers consisted of eight cabinets: skua, glass, aluminum, mixed paper, plastic, food waste and the particularly unsavory sanitary waste.

Persons: Mortified Organizations: University of Montana, U.S, National Science Locations: Flathead, Montana, Antarctica, U.S ., America

☆ US Declining Population, Worker Shortage Will Cause Economic Crisis Without a Fix
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Gadel Valle | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

That means that unless people start having a lot more kids, the US population could eventually start to shrink — just like China's population has. While the US population has managed to avoid an outright drop, population growth reached an unprecedented low of 0.12% in 2021. One way the US could encourage more immigration is by focusing on temporary visas for specific industries that need workers. And the treatment of workers in the country on temporary visas has been a problem for decades. After all, the US is running out of options, and soon its growing people shortage is going to spell economic disaster.

☆ Coca chewing gets chic makeover with bubblegum flavor and TikTok fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Monica Machicao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A demonstrator uses coca leaves during clashes with police over a new coca market, in La Paz, Bolivia August 8, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia Morales/File PhotoSANTIAGO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - With flavors ranging from bubble gum to passion fruit and TikTok stars promoting it, chewing coca has become the latest chic trend in Bolivia. Andean villagers have chewed coca leaves - the base ingredient of cocaine - for centuries to help ward off the effects of high altitude and hunger. Consumption of the leaves is legal in Bolivia and coca is considered by many in the region as a sacred plant. To the traditional "bolo" of coca leaves and baking soda enterprising locals are adding sweeteners and flavoring.

☆ From shining shoes in Africa to a seat in Italy's parliament
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Sleeping rough in the streets was traumatic, especially when I realised that this was the result of a political decision that targeted the migrants," Soumahoro told Reuters. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterNow an Italian citizen, the 42-year-old has a unique opportunity to re-shape such decision-making -- from within parliament. "One thing I will try to do is make sure that no one ends up living in the streets like me. People need to be treated as human beings regardless of what passport they have," he said, speaking ahead of the Oct. 13 opening of parliament. He is reticent about his personal life, saying only that he has a young child and remains in touch with his family in Africa.

☆ Farmers among Russians drafted into the military, Putin says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on agriculture issues via video link in Sochi, Russia September 27, 2022. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTIONSummary This content was produced in Russia where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in UkraineMOSCOW, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Farmers are among the Russians being drafted into the military, President Vladimir Putin told a meeting with officials on Tuesday, signalling potential further risks for the 2023 crop. Autumn is a busy season for farmers as they sow winter wheat for the next year's crop and harvest soybeans and sunflower seeds. Winter grain sowing has already been significantly delayed by rains. I ask you to pay special attention to this issue," Putin told the televised meeting.

☆ While DeSantis was flying legal asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard, business owners in his state are struggling for workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Which is why some business owners in Florida were perplexed when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent legal asylum seekers from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha’s Vineyard on two flights earlier this month. Asylum seekers are legally able to work in the United States while they await their asylum cases. Whether the asylum seekers intended to go to Florida or not, business owners there are signaling they would welcome them. Florida granted 7,101 asylum seekers permanent political asylum status between 2018-2020, just behind California and New Jersey. Gautam believes if more asylum seekers are granted permanent status, it will be “a game changer” for the longevity of his business and workforce.

☆ While DeSantis was flying legal asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard, business owners in his state were struggling for workers
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Vanessa Yurkevich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Which is why some business owners in Florida were perplexed when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sent legal asylum seekers from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha's Vineyard on two flights earlier this month. Asylum seekers are legally able to work in the United States while they await their asylum cases. Whether the asylum seekers intended to go to Florida or not, business owners there are signaling they would welcome them. Florida granted 7,101 asylum seekers permanent political asylum status between 2018-2020, just behind California and New Jersey. Gautam believes if more asylum seekers are granted permanent status, it will be "a game changer" for the longevity of his business and workforce.

☆ A Texas farm owned by one of the US' biggest potato growers paid over $1.3 million in back wages to workers after denying them overtime pay
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-21 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A farm in Texas owned by one of the US' biggest potato growers didn't pay overtime premiums, the DOL found. The DOL says it had since recovered more than $1.3 million in back pay for almost 500 warehouse workers. The Dalhart, Texas farm – operated by Blaine Larsen Farms, one of the US' biggest potato growers – also failed to properly report an outbreak of COVID-19, the DOL said. The department said that it had recovered almost $1.35 million in back wages for the warehouse workers. The labor department said it also investigated Larsen Farms twice in 2020.

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