Sherman A1
Sherman A1's Journal21 Dec Kellogg's Strike Ends: BCTGM Members Ratify New Contract
Members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) who work at Kellogg’s ready to eat cereal plants in Battle Creek, Mich., Lancaster, Pa., Omaha, Neb. and Memphis, Tenn. have voted to accept the recommended collective bargaining agreement. Approval of the contract ends the BCTGM’s strike against Kellogg’s, which began on October 5, 2021.
In commenting on the ratification, BCTGM International President Anthony Shelton stated, “Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions,” Shelton notes.
Highlights of the new five-year collective bargaining agreement:
• No take aways; No concessions
• No permanent two-tier system
• A clear path to regular full-time employment
• Plant closing moratorium: No plant shut downs through October 2026
• A significant increase in the pension multiplier
• Maintenance of cost of living raises
https://bctgm.org/2021/12/21/kelloggs-strike-ends-bctgm-members-ratify-new-contract/
New York Bight Offshore Wind Leasing: No Significant Impact on Environment, BOEM Says
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental review of potential impacts from offshore wind energy leasing activities in the New York Bight, a portion of the Atlantic Ocean located offshore New York and New Jersey, and found no significant impact.
The New York Bight WEAs are located in an area of shallow waters between Long Island (to the north and east) and the New Jersey coast (to the south and west)
"The final Environmental Assessment (EA) assesses potential impacts from the issuance of leases within nearly 800,000 acres of wind energy areas in the New York Bight. Based on the analysis in the EA, BOEM has issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI)," BOEM said Thursday.
“The completion of this Environmental Assessment is an important step forward in advancing the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of increasing renewable energy development on federal lands and waters,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton. “BOEM is focused on ensuring that any development in the New York Bight is done responsibly and in a way that avoids or minimizes impacts to the ocean and other ocean users in the region.”
https://www.marinelink.com/news/new-york-bight-offshore-wind-leasing-492919
Hornsea 2: First Power Achieved at World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
Offshore wind developer Ørsted said Monday that first power on Hornsea 2 offshore wind farm in the UK was achieved after its offshore substation (OSS), the world’s largest offshore AC substation, and reactive compensation station (RCS), were installed in late October 2021.
When fully operational, Hornsea 2’s 165 8 MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbines will be capable of generating 1.32 GW of clean electricity – taking the title of ‘world’s largest operating offshore wind farm’ from its sibling project Hornsea 1. Together, the two projects will be capable of providing enough power for well over 2.3 million homes, Ørsted said.
Once Hornsea 2 is completed, power will be transferred from the turbines via 373 km of array cables to the OSS and RCS, reaching the national grid via 390 km of offshore and 40 km of onshore export cables which terminate at the onshore substation in Killingholme.
A further two projects in the Hornsea Zone are also underway with Hornsea 3 receiving a Development Consent Order in December 2020 and Hornsea 4 currently going through the planning process.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/hornsea-first-power-achieved-worlds-492978
Cargo Ship Illegally Carrying Passengers Sinks off Madagascar
A vessel accident off the coast of northeastern Madagascar killed at least 19 people, and searches were under way to locate 66 passengers who remained unaccounted for, the country's maritime agency said on Tuesday.
The vessel, a cargo ship that was not authorized to transport people, was overloaded and water flooded the engine, said Mamy Randrianavony, director of operations at sea at the Maritime and River Port Agency (APMF).
There were 130 passengers on the ship, travelling from Antanambe to Soanierana Ivongo, and 45 were found alive.
"Searches are under way to locate the other passengers. Three boats have been sent to search," said Randrianavony.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/cargo-ship-illegally-carrying-passengers-493012
Canada's First All-electric, Zero-emissions Ferry Enters Service
A newly retrofitted electric ferry is the first in Canada to enter service powered by a zero-emissions, lithium-ion power and propulsion system containing no diesel fuel components.
PortsToronto’s 96-foot Marilyn Bell I, used for transporting passengers, vehicles and supplies the short distance to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on Toronto Island, returned to operations last week following a 20-week conversion, and is now sailing 100% emissions free.
St. Catharines-based marine electrical engineering firm Canal Marine & Industrial Inc. (CANAL) delivered the complete electrification retrofit of the formerly diesel ferry, from conception to installation. The project's naval architect is Quebec-based Concept Naval, and PortsToronto also engaged Nova Scotia-based E.Y.E marine consultants to assist with the implementation of the project.
Originally built by Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ont., and in operation since 2010, Marilyn Bell I was previously upgraded to run on biodiesel fuel in 2018 before its diesel generators and engines were removed in 2021 to make way for a new electric power and propulsion system and a suite of lithium-ion batteries. Now fueled by 100% Bullfrog Power renewable sourced energy, the ferry emits zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing the airport's direct GHG emissions by 530 tonnes per year, according to PortsToronto.
https://www.marinelink.com/news/canadas-first-allelectric-zeroemissions-492992?
Kansas City police identify victims of fatal firetruck crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Police have identified the three victims killed last week when a firetruck collided with a sport utility vehicle and then smashed into a building in a Kansas City entertainment area.
Police said Monday that 41-year-old Tami Knight was struck last Wednesday when the impact of the crash forced the truck and the SUV over a sidewalk, where she had been walking. The vehicles came to a stop in a Westport building that had been home to the Riot Room, a bar and music venue that recently closed. Her body was found in the rubble the next day.
The other two victims, 41-year-old Jennifer San Nicholas and 25-year-old Michael Elwood, were riding in the SUV, The Kansas City Star reported.
San Nicholas and Elwood were both employees at Ragazza Food & Wine, according to the Italian restaurant. A post from the establishment described them as “wonderful” and “amazing.”
https://krcgtv.com/news/local/kansas-city-police-identify-victims-of-fatal-firetruck-crash
Rescued young sea turtle found with 10 types of plastic in feces
A juvenile green turtle rescued from a fishing net defecated more than 10 types of plastic, according to the Mundo Marino Foundation in Argentina.
The turtle was taken to the foundation’s rescue and rehabilitation center in San Clemente del Tuyúon Dec. 13.
The 14-inch-long turtle was rescued by a man after it became entangled in his fishing net.
Though it appeared to be in good health when it arrived at the center, the turtle began to defecate an alarming amount of man-made waste, among which the plastic items were found, including lids, nets, sachets, seals, and cellophane. Other unidentified plastics were also found in the turtle’s excrement.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/rescued-young-sea-turtle-found-with-10-types-of-plastic-in-feces
Jan. 6 panel seeks interview, records from Rep. Scott Perry
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection requested an interview and documents from Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania on Monday, marking the first time the committee publicly sought to sit down with a sitting member of Congress.
The latest request launches a new phase for the lawmakers on the committee, who have so far resisted reaching out to one of their own as they investigate the insurrection by President Donald Trump's supporters and his efforts to overturn the election. Perry and other congressional Republicans met with Trump ahead of the attack and strategized about how they could block the results at the Jan. 6 electoral count.
In a letter to Perry, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democratic chairman of the panel, said the panel had received evidence from multiple witnesses, including then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen and then-acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue, that Perry had "an important role" in efforts to install Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark as acting attorney general.
The letter requests an interview with Perry, who pushed the Justice Department to overturn the election and met with Trump ahead of the violent attack, according to investigators. The panel also asked for any documents and correspondence between Perry and Trump, his legal team or anyone involved in the planning of Jan. 6 events.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/jan-6-committee-seeks-interview-with-gop-rep-scott-perry
Event cancellations continue as CDC declares omicron dominant strain in US
WASHINGTON (TND) — From Broadway shows to major sports games, events and gatherings are getting canceled across the country.
New York state set another single-day case record fueled in part by the omicron variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said now accounts for 73% of coronavirus infections across the country. The CDC has officially declared it the dominant variant in the U.S.
In New York City, Mayor Bill De Blasio says he'll make a decision by the end of the week on whether the New Year's Eve celebration in time square will go on.
The National Hockey League, which is headquartered in the city, announced Monday that it is pausing its season Wednesday because of several COVID outbreaks. Games will resume Dec. 27.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/event-cancellations-continue-as-cdc-declares-omicron-dominant-strain-in-us
San Francisco DA, others denounce mayor's plan for police
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco's top prosecutor on Monday pushed back on the mayor's call for increased policing to battle rampant drug dealing in one of the city's most vulnerable neighborhoods, urging her instead to put more money into housing and treatment that get at the root causes of crime.
The politically embattled District Attorney Chesa Boudin was joined by public defender Mano Raju and addiction specialists at a news conference announced after Mayor London Breed last week declared a state of emergency in the long-troubled Tenderloin. Open drug dealing and shootings in the neighborhood have made children and seniors afraid to go outside.
The news conference comes as Boudin, whose 2019 election was not supported by Breed, faces a recall election in June put on the ballot by detractors who say he is soft on criminals. Boudin's office has countered the criticism with examples of successful crackdowns on retail theft and other criminal operations. But his remarks Monday made clear his position on going after people who have substance use problems or mental health issues.
Boudin said the "raw human suffering" he sees in the neighborhood outrages him. But using outdated methods won't make people any safer, and the city has other options, said Boudin, who worked in the public defender's office before becoming DA.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/san-francisco-da-others-denounce-mayors-plan-for-police
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