Trending
Amazon union could face a tough road ahead
In the aftermath of their hard-won labor victory, Amazon workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island popped Champagne, cheered their victory and danced in celebration. But their jovial attitude will be tested by a company that seems likely to drag its feet to the bargaining table.
The nascent Amazon Labor Union, or ALU, has said it wants longer breaks for warehouse employees, more time off and a dramatically higher minimum hourly wage of $30, up from just over $18 per hour now at the Staten Island facility. To achieve anything close to that, the grassroots union would need to negotiate a contract with Amazon that both sides, as well as union members, agree on.
Rich trio back on Earth after charter trip to space
Three rich businessmen are back on Earth with their astronaut escort after a pricey trip to the International Space Station. SpaceX flew them back Monday, wrapping up a 17-day chartered flight that marked the first time NASA opened its space hatches to tourists.
The trip cost the trio $55 million apiece. Their stay was supposed to last a little over a week, but dicey weather kept the visitors in orbit almost twice as long as intended. Houston-based Axiom Space handled the logistics for the trip for its three paying customers. The company plans a second flight next spring.
Buffett to auction one last private lunch for charity
The world's most expensive lunch will go on sale again this spring when investor Warren Buffett auctions off a private meal to raise money for a California homeless charity one last time. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway's CEO, held the online lunch auction once a year for 20 years before the pandemic began to raise money for the Glide Foundation, which helps the homeless in San Francisco.
The auction has been on hiatus for the past two years. Buffett has raised nearly $34.5 million for the charity over the years. Many of the past winners have been investors who revere Buffett for his remarkable track record of finding undervalues companies and stocks to buy. The bidding starts June 12.
County grants approval for Amazon's HQ tower
The Arlington County Board has given unanimous approval to Amazon's plans to build a unique, helix-shaped tower as the centerpiece of its emerging second headquarters in northern Virginia. Amazon announced plans last year for the 350-foot tower.
It will support a second headquarters for Amazon that is expected to welcome more than 25,000 workers when it's complete. The helix stands out among several office towers granted approval in the redevelopment plans. The spiral design features a walkable ramp wrapping around the building with trees and greenery planted to resemble a mountain hike. The County Board approved the project at its Saturday meeting.
Ex-Chancellor Schroeder urged to leave party
The co-leader of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's party says former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder should leave the party. Schroeder's ties to the Russian energy industry have left him increasingly isolated at home. One of two co-leaders of Scholz's center-left Social Democrats said in a radio interview Monday that "Gerhard Schroeder has been acting for many years now only as a businessman." Saskia Esken also said that Schroeder "earns his money with work for Russian state companies." Esken replied when asked whether Schroeder should leave the party that "He should."