54 m. ago Los Angeles approves $4bn payout to settle thousands of sexual abuse claims

Deal represents largest aggregate settlement in US history as officials issue apology for ‘reprehensible acts’Los Angeles county officials on Tuesday approved a $4bn payout to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959.The agreement reached on April 4 far surpasses a $2.6bn settlement reached in 2022 with the Boy Scouts of America that was the largest aggregate sexual abuse settlement in US history at the time. Continue reading...

Economics

1 hour ago Los Angeles County approves $4 billion payout to settle sexual abuse claims at juvenile facilities

Los Angeles County officials have approved a $4 billion payout to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959

Economics

5 h. ago More than 50,000 Los Angeles county workers strike disrupting key services

Two-day walkout begins after contract negotiations fail amid ‘unprecedented stresses’ on county budgetMore than 50,000 Los Angeles county workers were on strike again on Tuesday, closing libraries and disrupting administrative operations across the nation’s most populous county.The two-day walkout that began on Monday followed failed negotiations with the county for a new contract after the last one expired in March, according to the Service Employees International Union Local 721. Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Councils considering 8% pay offer for workers as strike ballot looms

EXCLUSIVE: A council insider said the two year deal would depend on extra funds from the SNP Government.

Economics

27 h. ago Famed Memphis church associated with Martin Luther King damaged by fire

Clayborn Temple, base for sanitation workers’ strike that brought King to Memphis in 1968, suffers extensive damageA fire has severely damaged the historic Clayborn Temple in downtown Memphis, which is closely associated with the US civil rights movement and Dr Martin Luther King.The temple was headquarters for the sanitation workers’ strike that brought King to Memphis in 1968. The campaign’s “I Am a Man” signs were made in the church’s basement, according to the temple’s website. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Clyde Tunnel could close as control room workers balloted over strike action

EXCLUSIVE: GMB Scotland is to ballot the team controlling the tunnel in Glasgow on industrial action after a council pay offer was overwhelmingly rejected.

Events

8 d. ago Dumfries and Galloway Scottish Water workers to strike over pay dispute

Members of the Unison union will begin 48 hours of strike action at midnight on Tuesday.

Economics

8 d. ago Five million Brits' water supplies will not be checked for quality for two days as workers go on strike over pay

Workers will walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday following a one-day strike last month.

Economics

1 week ago Further delay as Menendez brothers seek freedom after decades in prison

Brothers had hoped resentencing hearing would pave way for immediate release – but judge orders pause until MayThe Menendez brothers have spent years waiting for another day in court and a chance to prove that they should be freed after serving over three decades in prison for the 1989 slayings of their parents.This week it appeared their time was perhaps finally coming – a judge was set to review their request for a resentencing and determine whether they have been rehabilitated. Their attorney, Mark Geragos, planned to ask the Los Angeles county judge Michael Jesic to reduce Erik and Lyle Menendez’s charges to manslaughter, which would allow them to be released from prison immediately. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago West Dunbartonshire Council workers to be balloted on potential strike action in pay row

Council workers in West Dunbartonshire will be asked to vote on potential strike action as Unison urges Cosla to "think again and come back with an improved offer".

Economics

1 week ago Stirling Council workers to be balloted over potential strike action in dispute over pay

Stirling Council workers are to be balloted over potential strike action in a dispute over council workers' pay.

Economics

1 week ago UK Foreign Office issues warning as Tenerife hotel workers strike over Easter

Thousands of hotel staff are set to walk out in the Canary Islands

Events

2 w. ago LA county facing financial turmoil after wildfires and $4bn abuse settlement

County to cut budget by almost $90m as it tackles nearly $2bn in fire-related costs and cuts to federal fundingLos Angeles county is experiencing unprecedented financial challenges amid growing costs from the historic wildfires that ravaged the region earlier this year and a $4bn sex abuse case settlement, the county CEO said this week.The region faces roughly $2bn in expenses related to January’s fires, which killed 30 people and destroyed nearly 17,000 structures. Earlier this month the county announced it had a $4bn agreement to settle thousands of claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities dating back 1959 – the largest such settlement in US history. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Council workers to be balloted in ‘biggest vote on strike action in years’

Local authority staff could stage industrial action amid a dispute over a 3% pay offer described by Unison as ‘pitiful’.

Politics

2 w. ago Army called in to help with Birmingham bin strike amid public health crisis fears

The all-out strike by refuse workers in the Unite union began on March 11 and has led to a significant public health emergency as piles of rubbish have mounted in the streets

Events

2 w. ago Birmingham bin workers REJECT deal to end strike as rats run riot and military experts called in

Refuse workers have rejected a deal aimed at ending the long-running bin strike crisis in Birmingham - Unite said its members voted overwhelmingly against the council’s 'totally inadequate' offer

Events

2 w. ago Birmingham bin strike crisis continues as refuse workers reject ‘totally inadequate’ pay deal

The British Army have been brought in to help tackle the rubbish piling up on the streets

Economics

2 w. ago Union's bins at Birmingham office are spotless while rest of the city festers in rubbish as workers to vote on partial deal to end strike today

Aerial images of Unite's regional office in Jennens Road, Birmingham , show the union's bins are spotless and seemingly empty.

Economics

2 w. ago Voices: Who’s to blame for Birmingham’s bin crisis? Join The Independent Debate

Birmingham’s bin strike has sparked a heated public debate over workers’ rights, public health, and the future of essential services – so where do you stand?

Events

2 w. ago Army to help tackle Birmingham rubbish as bin workers vote on strike deal

The action by members of Unite began on March 11

Economics