Smithfield Food’s Vertical Integration Strategy - 2800 Words

Smithfield food’s vertical integration strategy 1. What are the most important elements of Smithfield Food’s strategy? 1. They chose the food industry – in particular the red meat sector. 2. Their core business focus was on mainly pork, and beef to a lesser extent. 3. The company opted for an aggressive growth strategy which is primarily based on amongst others a geographic expansion: o They carried out 32 acquisitions since 1981. o They expanded into foreign markets – Smithfield made acquisitions in Canada, France, Romania and Poland. Acquired meat processors in Poland and Romania; including a hog farming operation in the latter country. 4. They followed a product diversification strategy, in order to grow: 5. This resulted in†¦show more content†¦They saved local farms and brought jobs to this region. They also shouldered the risk of hog prices, thereby protecting the farmers. Smithfield was also able to satisfy customer demands of better products at lower prices. The local farming community showed their tacit support by their eagerness to do business with Smithfield as there was a two year long waiting list in 1998 for farmers wishing to enter into contract farming! o The company should be proud of its business model. A business model refers to how and why the business will generate revenues, cover costs, and produce profits and a positive ROE. Annual sales in 2006 of $11 billion from $1.5 billion in 1995 and an average compound growth rate of 24% during the decade speak volumes. However attention is required in addressing the following: †¢ Concerns from the industry observers on contract farming – more specifically their â€Å"debt laden† nature †¢ Allegations of unfair labour practices- low pay/ low quality, in addition the recruitment of migrant labour from Central or South America that may be open to exploitation. †¢ Allegations of detrimental environmental practices – impact of concentrated cluster of hog farms on the environment. †¢ Limited purchase of feed, machinery and fuel from local sources. †¢ Although, trivial the issue of the â€Å"smell† in the air Essentially this business model was able to ensure profitability and sustainability of the company, because economies of scale in

A Rose For Emily And Barn Burning By William C. Faulkner

Some of the most unique short stories were written by William C. Faulkner who embodied the Southern sensibility, and to this day his stories continue to be enjoyed by many. Faulkner was born from a rich family who had accumulated wealth before the Civil War, but like many families in the South they had lost all of it during the conflict. His family moved to Oxford, Mississippi which is the basis for the fictional town of Jefferson in most of his stories from Yoknapatawpha County. Faulkner’s stories create a mood to make readers feel like they were also a part of the Southern town. Both â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"Barn Burning† tells about people’s lives in the South and their continuing struggles with society. These two stories have many similarities in their setting, but they also have differences that make it more interesting and uncommon. The atmosphere established in these stories is quite unique, but both have a sense of mystery about them. Faulkner uses Yoknapatawpha County as the setting for the short story â€Å"Barn Burning†. The Snopes family lives in the outskirts of a small rural town of sharecroppers. Their house is told to be paint-less like the many other houses they had lived in. On the other hand, the town of Jefferson from â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is also located in Yoknapatawpha. Miss Emily’s house is described as being huge and decorated with many details in the woodwork. The difference between the high class environment of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and the dirt covered townShow MoreRelated William Faulkner Essay1234 Words   |  5 Pages Faulkner grew up in Mississippi in the beginning of the twentieth century (William Faulkner; 699). He was the son to Murray C. and Maud Butler Faulkner (Hoffman 13). Growing up in the South in the early 1900s meant being exposed to harsh racism. He watched the blacks endure unbelievable amounts of cruelty and was amazed at how the blacks conducted themselves with such dignity. He witnessed, first hand, what discrimination is and could not comprehend why this goes on. In many of Faulkners worksRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pages................................................................................. 553 Exercises .......................................................................................................................................... 555 1 C H A P T E R 1 How to Reason Logically T he goal of this book is to improve your logical-reasoning skills. Your logical-reasoning skills are a complex weave of abilities that help you get someones point, generate reasons for your own point

Employee Retention Strategies free essay sample

Abstract: Every organization invests time and money to groom a new joinee, train his employee’s make ready material competent with the existing employees. All organizations aim to serve the needs of the people. All organizations are not only run by employees, but also it is the employees in it at various levels who bring success to the organization in these modern times. Hence retention of the employees within the system is necessary. The organization is completely at loss when the employees leave their job once they are fully trained. Thus recruitment of qualified employees, training and maintaining them becomes important. Employee turnover reduces the organizational productivity and also incurring the costs of acquiring the same for replacement and developing them. Employee retention techniques go a long way in motivating the employees for them to enjoy their work and avoid changing jobs frequently. The modern  management  literature advocates many  strategies  for employee  retention  from various dimensions such as organizational factors, compensation, rewards, job design and characteristics, work environment, employee relationship, etc. We will write a custom essay sample on Employee Retention Strategies or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Hence this paper attempts to present a few of the important employee  retention  strategies. Keywords:  Employee  retention,  employee  turnover, Indian management Introduction:- Employee Retention Employee Retention refers to the strategy employed by the management to help the employees stay with the organization for a longer period of time. Employee retention strategies go a long way in motivating the employees so that they stick to the organization for the maximum time and contribute effectively. Sincere efforts must be taken to ensure growth and learning for the employees in their current assignments and for them to enjoy their work. Employee retention has become a major concern for corporate in the current scenario. Individuals once being trained have a tendency to move to other organizations for better prospects. Lucrative salary, comfortable timings, better ambience, growth prospects are some of the factors which prompt an employee to look for a change. Whenever a talented employee expresses his willingness to move on, it is the responsibility of the management and the human resource team to intervene immediately and find out the exact reasons leading to the decision. Need Importance of Employee Retention Hiring is not an easy process:  The HR Professional shortlists few individuals from a large pool of talent, conducts preliminary interviews and eventually forwards it to the respective line managers who further grill them to judge whether they are fit for the organization or not. Recruiting the right candidate is a time consuming process. ? An organization invests time and money in grooming an individual a nd makes him ready to work and understand the corporate culture:  A new joinee is completely raw and the management really has to work hard to train him for his overall development. It is a complete wastage of time and money when an individual leaves an organization all of a sudden. ? When an individual resigns from his present organization, it is more likely that he would join the competitors:  In such cases, employees tend to take all the strategies, policies from the current organization to the new one. Individuals take all the important data, information and statistics to their new organization and in some cases even leak the secrets of the previous organization. To avoid such cases, it is essential that the new joinee is made to sign a document which stops him from passing on any information even if he leaves the organization. ? The employees working for a longer period of time are more familiar with the company’s policies, guidelines and thus they adjust better:  They perform better than individuals who change jobs frequently. Employees who spend a considerable time in an organization know the organization in and out and thus are in a position to contribute effectively. Every individual needs time to adjust with others:  One needs time to know his team members well, be friendly with them and eventually trust them. Organizations are always benefited when the employees are compatible with each other and discuss things among themselves to come out with something beneficial for all. When a new individual replaces an existing employee, adjustment problems crop up. ? It has been observed that individuals sticking to an organization for a longer span are more loyal towards the management and the organization:  They enjoy all kinds of benefits from the organization and as a result are more attached to it. They hardly badmouth their organization and always think in favor of the management. For them the organization comes first and all other things later. ? It is essential for the organization to retain the valuable employees showing potential:  Every organization needs hardworking and talented employees who can really come out with something creative and different. No organization can survive if all the top performers quit. It is essential for the organization to retain those employees who really work hard and are indispensable for the system. The management must understand the difference between a valuable employee and an employee who doesn’t contribute much to the organization. Sincere efforts must be made to encourage the employees so that they stay happy in the current organization and do not look for a change. |The basic practices which should be kept in mind in the employee retention  strategies are: | | | |1. Hire the right people in the first place. | | |2. Empower the employees: Give the employees the authority to get things done. | | | |3. Make employees realize that they are the most valuable asset of the organization. | | | |4. Have faith in them, trust them and respect them. | | | |5. Provide them information and knowledge. | | | | 6. Keep providing them feedback on their performance. | | | |7. Recognize and appreciate their achievements. | | | |8. Keep their morale high. | | | |9. Create an environment where the employees want to work and have fun. | | | | | | | | |These practices can be categorized in 3 levels: Low, medium and high level. | [pic] For an organization to do well and earn profits it is essential that the high potential employees stick to it for a longer duration and contribute effectively. The employees who spend a considerable amount of time tend to be loyal and committed towards the management and always decide in favor of the organization. When you meet someone, there is hardly any attachment in the beginning, but as the friendship matures, a sense of loyalty and trust develops. In the same way, when an individual spends a good amount of time in an organization, he gets emotionally bonded to it and strives hard for furthering the brand image of the organization. The management can’t completely put a full stop to the process of employees quitting their jobs but can control it to a large extent. Let us go through some strategies to retain an individual: ? An employee looks for a change when his job becomes monotonous and does not offer anything new. It is essential for everyone to enjoy whatever he does. The responsibilities must be delegated according to the individual’s specialization and interests. It is the responsibility of the team leader to assign challenging works to his team members for them to enjoy work and do not treat it as a burden. Performance reviews are important to find out whether the employees are really happy with their work or not. Foster employee training development programmes. This could be training to learn a new job skill or tuition reimbursement to help further your employee’s education. ? Constant disputes among employees encourage them to go for a change. Conflicts must be avoided to maintain the decorum of the place and avoid spreading negativity around. Promote activities which bring the employees closer. Organize outdoor picnic s, informal get together for the employees to know each other better and strengthen the bond among themselves. ? The human resource department must ensure that it is hiring the right candidate. Frustration crops up whenever there is a mismatch. A finance professional if is hired for a marketing profile would definitely end up being frustrated and look for a change. The right candidate must be hired for the right profile. ? Employee recognition is one of the most important factors which go a long way in retaining employees. Nothing works better than appreciating the employees. Their hard work must be acknowledged. Monetary benefits such as incentives, perks, cash prize also motivate the employees to a large extent and they prefer sticking to the organization. Performance appraisals are also important for an employee to stay motivated and avoid looking for a change. The salary hike should be directly proportional to the hard work put by the employees. Partiality must be avoided as it demotivates the talented ones and prompt them to look for a better opportunity. ? The salary of the employees must be discussed at the time of the interview. The components of the salary must be transparent and thoroughly discussed with the individuals at the time of joining to avoid confusions later. The individuals should be made to join only when the salary as well as other terms and conditions are acceptable to them. ? The company’s rules and regulations should be made to benefit the employees. They should be employee friendly. Allow them to take a leave on their birthdays or come a little late once or twice in a month. It is important for the management to understand the employees to gain their trust and confidence. The consistent performers must also have a say in the company’s decisions for them to feel important. ? Create open communication between employees and management. Hold regular meetings in which employees can offer ideas and ask questions. Have an open-door policy that encourages employees to speak frankly with their managers without fear of repercussion. ? Make sure employees know what you expect of them. It may seem basic, but often in small companies, employees have a wide breadth of responsibilities. If they don’t know exactly what their jobs entail and what you need from them, they can’t perform up to standard, and morale can begin to dip. ? Maintain congenial human relations, interpersonal dynamics employee recognition programmes. Improve manager and employee relationships. Concentrate on the people that stay with you to learn what makes them happy †¦ then give them more of it! People leave managers, not companies. If you have a turnover problem, look first at your managers,   ? Emphasis on succession planning development. Encourage succession planning. Identify roles for which employees may be suited in the future and work with them on designing their succession plan within the organization. Invest in cross-training, job shadowing, coaching, mentoring, and cross-experience. Take proactive measures in identifying employee grievances, dissatisfaction frustration levels employ corrective measures. ? Encourage internal mobility job change through innovative practices. ? Provide good employee orientation. The people you hire today are potentially your greatest resource for corporate success in the years ahead. As a senior leader, your participation in new employee orientation sends a vital cultural and leadership message: We’re all involved here in the drive toward what we want to be in the future. Everyone—even the newest employee—has value. ? Work-Life Balance programs recognize that employees have important family and Extra professional obligations that compete with their work place commitments. Practices such as dependent care leave, childcare subsidies, eldercare programs, counseling and referral, and flexible working hours allow people to strike a more meaningful and potentially less stressful balance between obligations at the workplace and obligations at home. | |The task of managing employees can be understood as a three stage process: | | | |1. Identify the cost of employee turnover | |2. Understand why employee leave | |3. Implement retention strategies | | | |Identify the cost of employee turnover: | |The organizations should start with identifying the employee turnover rates within a particular time period and benchmark it with the | |competitor organizations. This will help in assessing the whether the  employee retention  rates are healthy in the company. The costs of | |high staff turnover can be incredible. Some of the substantial costs that occur when a person leaves your organization include the | |following: | |1. Recruitment costs | |? from advertising to the time spent interviewing and sourcing. | | | |2. Training costs | |? orientation materials and trainers’ time (ex. call center agents require on average 4 6 weeks or more of classroom training). | |3. Lost Productivity Costs | |? a new employee operates between 25%-50% of productivity levels for the first three months, not including the time spent by existing | |employees to assist. | |4. Lost sales costs | |? he loss of business when the role is vacant. | | | |Understand why employees leave: | |Why employees leave often puzzles top management. Exit interviews are an ideal way of recording and analyzing the factors that have led | |employees to leave the organization. They allow an organization to understand the reasons for leaving and underlying issues. | | |Implement retention strategy: | |Once the causes of attrition are found, a strategy is to be implemented so as to reduce employee turnover. The most effective strategy is| |to adopt a holistic approach to dealing with attrition. An effective retention strategy will seek to ensure: | |Attraction and recruitment strategies enable selection of the ‘right’ candidate for each role/organization | |New employees’ initial experiences of the organization are positive | |Appropriate development opportunities are available to employees, and that they are kept aware of their likely career path with the | |organization | |The organization’s reward strategy reflects the employee drivers | |The leaving process is managed effectively | Businesses can improve their ability to attract, retain and improve productivity by applying the following five-step employee retention  PRIDE  process: †¢Ã‚  P   Provide a Positive Working Environment †¢Ã‚  R   Recognize, Reward and Reinforce the Right Behavior   †¢Ã‚  I   Involve and Engage †¢Ã‚  D   Develop Skills and Potential †¢Ã‚  E   Evaluate and Measure STEP 1PROVIDE A POSITIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT One of the main reasons employees quit is the relationship with their first-line supervisor. The fact is many supervisors and managers are unaware how their actions and decisions affect employee turnover. A critical aspect of an effective retention strategy is manager training. Properly trained managers play a major role in an effective recruitment and retention strategy. STEP 2RECOGNIZE, REWARD AND REINFORCE THE RIGHT BEHAVIOR   Money and benefits may attract people to the front door, but something else has to keep them from going out the back. People have a basic human need to feel appreciated and proud of their work. Recognition and incentive programs help meet that need. A successful reward and recognition program does not have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. STEP 3EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT People may show up for work, but are they engaged and productive? People are more committed and engaged when they can contribute their ideas and suggestions. This gives them a sense of ownership. STEP 4DEVELOP SKILLS AND POTENTIAL For most people, career opportunities are just as important as the money they make. Skilled people will not remain in a job if they see no future in their position. To eliminate the feeling of being in a dead-end job, every position should have an individual development plan. STEP 5EVALUATE AND MEASURE Continuous evaluation and never-ending improvement is the final step of the PRIDE system. The primary purpose of evaluation is to measure progress and determine what satisfies and de-satisfies your workforce. The evaluation process includes the measurement of attitudes, morale, turnover, and the engagement level of the workforce. CONCLUSION Given the growing needs for organizations to retain its best employees in the face of competition, the findings of the study suggest that certain variables are crucial in influencing employees’ decision to either leave or remain in an organization. Such variables include training and development, recognition/reward for good performance, a competitive salary package and job security. Nonetheless, importance of other variables should not be under- estimated when formulating a retention policy. It is only a comprehensive blend of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational variables that can enhance retention and reduce the high rate of employee turnover in our various organizations [pic]

Why Understanding of the Black Other is Central to Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora

Introduction The presence and continued immigration of blacks into the Diaspora have generated increasing interests and debate from scholars, the general public and policymakers.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why Understanding of the ‘Black Other’ is Central to Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many authors have argued that the continued migration of Africans in the Diaspora is attributed to interplay of inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary facets. Such facets have been thought to penetrate the presence of blacks in the Diaspora, for example, Europe and the United States (Kamari and Debora 20-379). As a result, the immigration of blacks and the inter-play of influencing facets has resulted to complications of notions of race, identities and desire which are assumed and presumed in the revealing faces of experiences of the ‘black otherâ₠¬â„¢ in the Diaspora (Kamari and Debora 20-379). By focusing on themes and contemporary currents of intellectual nature, different researchers have theorized and re-imagined a variety of historical and contemporary issues which are related to the broader topic of darkness. This paper explores the importance of understanding ‘the black other’ as an essential factor to explain the experiences of the African Diaspora (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Why an Understanding of the â€Å"Black Other† Is Central To Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora A firm grasp of globalization trends has been regarded as a crucial component to understand the constitution and reconstitution of race by transformations of a worldwide scale and magnitude (Kamari and Debora 200-379). As such, the explorations by Jacqueline Brown, Naomi Pabst, Jayne Ifekunigwe and Ariana Hernadez-Reguant are essential components in understanding the link between contemporary processes of globalizat ion and the kinds of transnational circulations which are spun by aspects of slavery and imperialism. According to Kamari and Debora, these links occurred between global conceptions of skin color (darkness) and culture (Kamari and Debora 20-100). For instance, Jacqueline Nasy Brown has explored the topic of blackness by defining the term ‘Diaspora’ and associations between the Diaspora and Global black kinship.Advertising Looking for essay on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More She, therefore, suggests that this association can render certain aspects of black subjects, their identities and their histories to be invisible (Kamari and Debora 20-379). According to Jacqueline, the recent inclusion of Africans in Europe (black Europe) in the African Diasporic framework has been regarded as setting it up to represent items which are new in the global catalogue which aspires to exhaustiveness (Kamari and De bora 20-379). Jacqueline, therefore, explores black Europe and the African Diaspora through an approach of discourse location. She does this issue by highlighting family and kinship ties and their origin, and later immigration into the European territory e.g., the Nassy family, reunions and other family setups (Kamari and Debora 20-379). For instance, she depicts family ties and kinships e.g., reunions, which played a crucial role in theorizing the Diaspora through encounters between different kinship ties (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Therefore, the author theorizes the Diaspora as a form of desire which is premised on differences that are expressed in terms of place and kinship. She explores different historical epochs in societies such as Holland, Curacao, Aruba and the United States. According to the authors like Jacqueline Brown, Naomi Pabst, Jayne Ifekunigwe and Ariana Hernadez-Reguant, the meaning of blackness in the distinct national and historical contexts requires explanatio n and even interpretation (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Similarly, Naomi Pabst explores the issue of darkness/blackness and demonstrates it as a paradox. She also regards it as the beginning and the end of the racial classification of the American society within the schema of darkness and whiteness (Kamari and Debora 20-379). In this regard, she points out that â€Å"to even state that a mixed-race subject is black or the reverse is to reference the joint realities of both mixedness and blackness† (Kamari and Debora 379). Therefore, Naomi Pabst argues that the debate on how to situate the inter-racial of blackness or whiteness has been explored in the legal domain, grassroots movements and census taking (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Deborah Thomas explores effects of hegemony that are currently weakened in the Creole multi-racial nationalism which had been consolidated by intellectual and political elites during the time of independence (Kamari and Debora 20-379).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why Understanding of the ‘Black Other’ is Central to Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As such, the transnational migration and technological proliferation in the field of journalism and the media is perceived to have tremendously contributed to a case where the expressions of the African populations are paramount within the innovations of contemporary Jamaican particularity (Kamari and Debora 20-379). According to the essays by Jacqueline Brown, Naomi Pabst Jayne Ifekunigwe and Ariana Hernadez-Reguant, the factors mentioned above (amongst many others) have been depicted to play a tremendous role in the amplification of consciousness among the ‘black other’ in the African Diaspora (Kamari and Debora 20-379). As such, the authors (aforementioned, like Debora Thomas) explore how the working class in the African Diaspora e. g., Jamaica pursues and negotiates the African-American and American hegemony as a result of their ethnic consciousness. In this regard, the authors illuminate how the newly ascribed and powerful perception of transnational racial mapping and national belonging (especially in the African Diaspora) has continued to influence the development of strategies and discourses (Kamari and Debora 20-379). According to Kamari and Debora, such influences are usually perceived to be of a nationalist nature and occur in the home countries of the ‘black other’ (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Therefore, according to the authors (aforementioned), such occurrences have been evident among the ‘black other’ who work in the African Diaspora (e.g., in the United States). Also, the occurrences have been used as a discourse to mitigate the influences of global economies which have been thought to be reinstated by the national economic hierarchies of earlier imperial occurrences (Kamar i and Debora 20-379). The authors also depict the varying social impacts that the ‘black other’ have in the African Diaspora. This is important as it has drawn attention on the manner in which immigrants lives (either collectively or individually) are shaped by quotidian experiences of race in the host countries (African Diaspora) (Kamari and Debora 20-379). In their essays, the authors also highlight the challenges which are faced by the ‘black other’ who strive to adjust to life in the African Diaspora e.g., the United States. This is through negotiating the hard lives present in the African Diaspora’s realms of politics and culture, which are shaped by ethnic discourses (Kamari and Debora 20-379).Advertising Looking for essay on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, the essays depict the experiences of the ‘black other’ and the ways in which such communities shift to notions that are culturally biased. In addition, there are incidences where culturally biased notions of ethnicity have been highlighted as means through which the ‘black other’ in the Diaspora use to shield themselves from discriminatory occurrences that are racially biased (Kamari and Debora 20-37). Similarly, this phenomenon is an essential social manifestation as the efforts by the authors have depicted the localization of the ‘black other’ socially, demographically (in terms of settlement) and economically (in business) (Kamari and Debora 20-79). Therefore, the authors use the ‘black other’ to depict an understanding of the formulation of the cultural differences within the framework of ethnicity. This depicts the way the immigrants appear to combat racial stereotypes and negative associations (Kamari and Debora 20-379). According to Kamari and Debora, these stereotypes are usually ascribed as part of the experiences of the ‘black other’ in the African Diaspora e.g., the United States (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Conclusion The experiences of the ‘black other’ (mentioned above) are shaped and reshaped within the social framework, which is particular to the environment in the African Diaspora (Kamari and Debora 20-379). In addition, understanding the racial influences of the ‘black other’ requires an understanding of the racial concepts that point at a person. These conceptions have been depicted (by the authors) to have been brought to the African Diaspora from their specific regions or home countries. Therefore, such racial-self conceptions (mentioned above) can affect (simultaneously) the contemporary social dynamics of ethnicity and race in the African Diaspora (Kamari and Debora 20-379). Works Cited Kamari, Clarke, and Debora Thomas. Globalization and Race: Transformation in the Cultural Production of Blackness, Durham: Duke University Press, 2006. Print. This essay on Why Understanding of the ‘Black Other’ is Central to Explaining the Experiences of the African Diaspora was written and submitted by user Rayden G. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Is Laertes Really A Foil To Hamlet Essays - Characters In Hamlet

Is Laertes really a foil to Hamlet? In Hamlet, common opinion states that Shakespeare probably created Laertes as a foil to Hamlet. A foil is a character whose traits are opposite of those of another character and who thus points out to the reader the strengths and weaknesses of another character. Laertes and Hamlet have much in common; they have deep love for Ophelia, desire for revenge at any cost, and similar association with their families, but as foil characters they handle themselves differently in the same situations. Hamlet and Laertes share a different but profound love for Ophelia. Laertes has a strong brotherly love for Ophelia which was apparent when he spoke to Ophelia before he left for England. He provided advice to Ophelia pertaining to her relationship with Hamlet. He tells her of his concerns for Hamlet's true intentions and wishes that she be very careful. Laertes loves his sister very much and does not want her to become hurt. Hamlet also loves Ophelia, but his love is more like a crush or an infatuation. He wrote her love letters and gave her gifts. His true love is shown not when they are together, but when Ophelia rejects Hamlet's love. Hamlet's appearance and disposition changes when his love has been denied, as seen in Act 2. Ophelia's death causes sadness in both Laertes and Hamlet. Hamlet and Laertes are so distraught that they fight each other in Ophelia's grave. Although Hamlet and Laertes despise one another, they both loved Ophelia. Revenge at any cost causes Hamlet and Laertes to act impulsively. Hamlet, while avenging his father's death, presumes Claudius is spying on him and his mother and impulsively stabs the spy hiding behind the arros. His actions caused him to murder Polonius instead of Claudius. In contrast to Hamlet, Laertes, upon hearing about his father's death assumes the slayer is Claudius. Without thought, Laertes moves to avenge his father's death (Act 4, Scene 5, lines 128-134); this shows Laertes' desire to seek revenge at any cost. Hamlet and Laertes' reactions are prompted by frustration and anger. Revenge causes both of the men to act impulsively, giving little thought to the outcomes of their actions. Laertes and Hamlet associate with their families in similar ways. Laertes and Hamlet both highly respect their fathers. After the death of both of their fathers, Laertes and Hamlet want to seek revenge on the assassins. Hamlet and Laertes are both also dominant when dealing with the women in their families. Laertes gives forceful advice to his sister as Hamlet gives demanding advice to his mother about Claudius and the circumstances surrounding the death of Hamlet Sr. Claudius, although not Hamlet's real father, and Polonius, Laertes real father, both spy on their sons. Polonius has Reynaldo spy on Laertes in England and Claudius has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spy on Hamlet. Laertes and Hamlet share comparable aspects in their families. Laertes and Hamlet demonstrate many of the same characteristics as foil often do. They are both deeply in love with Ophelia, Laertes in a brotherly way and Hamlet was infatuated with her. The also were both capable of seeking revenge and acting spontaneously, not worrying about the effects of their actions. They hold similar views of the members of their families, deep respect for their fathers and are dominant toward the females in their families. Both of the young men being foil characters to each other, have many similar characteristics, but handle the situations differently.

Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) What is the Ontario Harmonized Sales Tax? As part of its 2009 provincial budget, the Ontario government tabled a bill on November 16, 2009 to introduce a harmonized sales tax (HST) in Ontario. The harmonized sales tax being proposed by Ontario will combine the eight percent provincial sales tax with the five percent federal goods and services tax (GST) to create a single 13 percent harmonized sales tax (HST) administered by the federal government. The Ontario HST is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010. Why is Ontario Switching to the HST? The Ontario government says Ontarios current dual tax system puts Ontario businesses at a competitive disadvantage and implementation of a single sales tax would bring the province into line with the most efficient form of sales taxation around the world. They say the tax reform being proposed, including the HST, will create jobs and position the Ontario economy for future growth as the province emerges from the economic downturn. They also claim the single sales tax will reduce paperwork costs for business by more than $500 million a year. Tax Relief to Offset the Ontario HST The 2009 Ontario budget will provide $10.6 billion over three years in personal income tax relief to help consumers through the transition to the single sales tax. This includes personal Ontario income tax cuts and direct payments or rebates. It will also provide $4.5 billion in business tax relief over three years, including reducing the corporate income tax rate to 10 percent over three years, cutting the small business tax rate and exempting more small and medium-sized businesses from corporate minimum tax. What the Ontario HST Means to Consumers For the most part, consumers will not notice a large change in prices. However, there are many items currently exempt from the provincial sales tax that will no longer be exempt. They include: gasolineheating fuelselectricitytobaccopersonal services, such as haircuts, membership fees for clubs and gyms, magazines, taxi fares, professional services for lawyers, architects, and accountants, and real estate commissions. The HST will not be charged on: basic groceriesprescription drugssome medical devicesmunicipal public transithealth and education serviceslegal aidmost financial serviceschild caretutoringmusic lessonsresidential rentscondo fees    Currently, the PST is not applied to those items. There will still be a few exemptions from the provincial portion of the sales tax: childrens clothing and footweardiaperschildrens car seats and car booster seatsfeminine hygiene productsbooks (including audio books)prepared food and beverages sold for $4.00 or lessprint newspapers The Ontario HST and Housing No HST will be charged on residential rentscondo feespurchase of resale homes    The HST will be applied on the purchase of new homes. However, homebuyers will be able to claim a rebate of some of the provincial portion of the tax for new homes priced up to $500,000. The rebate for new primary residences under $400,000 will be six percent of the purchase price (or 75 percent of the provincial portion of the tax), with the rebate amount reduced for homes priced between $400,000 and $500,000. Buyers of new residential rental properties will receive a similar rebate. The HST will apply to ​real estate commissions.

ARGUMENT - ESSAY Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ARGUMENT - - Essay Example Humans, as we now believe, and would not argue against it, should not live along with the beasts in the forests, but rather in their own home where their existence is protected. Humans take comfort and safety in the homes they build and live in. Modern technology, a result of an increased understanding of human existence and the natural resources that surrounds them, has provided the needed comfort that each one of us enjoys so far. These abilities to develop massive and powerful high-tech machineries made us believe that we are able to take nature in our hands as well. Maybe at some point we do, but not in the long run. Survival is natural to humans that in order to achieve this, we create laws and impose them to attain equality among humanity. However, it is not in the nature of human beings to be contented of what they already have. We tend to abuse the environment to find the contentment we are looking for. It is in our nature to wage wars, murder, as well as poison nature that in fact sustain our existence. I believe that our imperfections as human beings apply in order to make us realize that we are in no way at par with the power of nature. Wars destroy nature in such dreadful ways than we realize. Daily living conditions is a daily struggle for Mother Nature as humans pollute the air and water that is necessary for the survival of other organisms as well – in fact those that humans consume every day to sustain human life. Such horrible activities make us think that we have overpowered nature. On the other hand, if we will look into the current environmental phenomena all over the world, nature’s response to our abuse clearly shows that she is still the most powerful one. Powerful tsunamis, enormous storms, and strong earthquakes are all over the news killing thousands of people every year. Humans are left vulnerable against these disasters that strike them most particularly at times when they are least prepared. Even when they thought they

Research proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Research Proposal Example In addition, this means that it has to involve the teachers in such a manner that the teachers are able to engage in the science practices in a much more detailed level. As a background to this, knowledge and skill in scientific inquiry has been a fundamental reform movement in science education according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Various documents, such as the 2012 National Research Council publication on Framework for K-12 Science Education identifies the various major scientific concepts and principles that a student is expected to grasp by the end of high school. Consequently, this forms the basis upon which the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is structured. Therefore, the NGSS seeks to better engage students in the learning process consequently facilitating their more active exploration of the core scientific ideas and theories. Proper scientific understanding highlights the level of impact that the education system has had on an individual. These include essential knowledge and skills such as the possession of the ability to formulate scientific hypotheses, produce explanations, design and conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and the general ability to communicate and reflect about the findings. Enabling all this calls for the teachers involved to have specific skills particularly geared towards the successful teaching of science to generate scientific knowledge. This forms the basis for the NRC framework that idealizes the development of a scientific-based approach among teachers to emphasize the practice of skills in addition to just acquiring them. This calls for teachers to engage in scientific enquiry practices such as asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and

Jacqueline Kennedy as a Writer Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Jacqueline Kennedy as a Writer - Research Paper Example Historians agree that in this phase of her life she was independent of men and learned to make it on her own embarking on her editing career after twenty-two years without employment. Her husbands had both died and her children were busy at school. In the weeks near her death, she read the manuscript, edited the book and sent a fax to the author detailing suggestions to be edited and possible direction for the conclusion. She did this despite her poor health and grave illness (Spoto 24). Jacqueline Kennedy was born as Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in July 1929. She attended the George Washington University, where she graduated in 1951. Soon after graduation, she was employed as a photo-journalist by the Washington Times Herald. She married John F. Kennedy, a senator who became United States president in 1961. Andersen affirms that â€Å"After the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, she vacated the white house and moved with her children (Caroline and John Jr.) to New York† (2). After a period of mourning and notable absence from the public scene, she married A Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis in 1968, who had a son, from a previous marriage, named Alexander. In 1973 his son was killed in a tragic plane crash. Months of depression led to deteriorating health and Aristotle succumbed to his ill health in 1975. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a widow for the second time. She moved permanently to New York and sought employment in publishing as an escape from the ill-fated turn of events in her life. Her career choice was in synchronization with her passion and enjoyment of literature and undergraduate major (French Literature). Her children were old enough and therefore required less attention and time demand. Jacqueline could accord more time to her work. She was a talented writer as well as passionate about literature. Kuhn states that â€Å"though people often didn’t realize it, Jackie was talented and her teachers had noted her abilities early in her life.  

Strike Management And Trade Unions Management Essay

Strike Management And Trade Unions Management Essay OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The main objective of the study by the research paper is to understand the importance of trade union to the organization and vise verses. What are the main functions of unions how they work during strikes? I predicted that throw trade union control would mediate the effects of job-related uncertainty, and that management communication and participation in decision-making would reduce uncertainty and increase feelings of control. The model was tested in a public sector organization as well as government sector organization the results supported it. Management communication is easy throw the trade What is a trade union? A trade union or labor union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labor contracts (collective bargaining) with employers. This may include the negotiation of wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other non-member workers. Originating in Europe, labor unions became popular in many countries during the Industrial Revolution, when the lack of skill necessary to perform most jobs shifted employment bargaining power almost completely to the employers side, causing many workers to be mistreated and underpaid. Trade union organizations may be composed of individual workers, professionals, past workers, or the unemployed. The most common, but by no means only, purpose of these organizations is maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment Over the last three hundred years, many trade unions have developed into a number of forms, influenced by differing political objectives. Activities of trade unions vary, but may include: What are the functions of a trade union?] Function and benefit of trade unions Association of workers to promote and protect the welfare, interests, and rights of its members; also called labor union In the broadest sense, trade unions came about as a way to protect workers after the industrial revolution in England, where they were working 12 to 14 hour days 6 days a week for whatever the company owner decided he would pay them. Which of course was as little as possible. Not that the need for trade unions was restricted to workers in England. A good read if you want to know what working conditions were like in America in the late 1800s and early 1900s would be Upton Sinclairs The Jungle, BUT BE WARNED there are some truly harrowing scenes in this book, and its publication in the 1920s caused such an uproar that the government created the FDA in an attempt to stop the worst excesses. For a slightly gentler view of the life of the working classes around 1900 America, try Theodore Dreisers Sister Carrie. You should also research the Pullman Corporation, and the Carnegie Steel empire, both of which grabbed back a good part of what little they paid in wages by forcing employees to live in filthy, unmaintained hovels in company towns, and shop at the company store where, of course, they were charged super high prices for everything. If I recall, the first of the American trade unions, and one of the first to strike, were the Pullman car waiters, who were all poor blacks (and referred to, whatever his name might be, as George). For many Americans, all the name Henry Ford means is paying his employees enough to be able to buy one of his cars (of course, you didnt buy a Chevrolet if you worked for Ford.) The power of a union is that the union can collectively bargain for the best possible deal for all its members; not just wages, but the right to live anywhere you wanted and not just in company housing, the number of hours worked, medical benefits, and paid time off. The power of a union is also limited to the solidarity of the members, because the only thing a worker possessed was the ability to walk off the job, so its more effective if everyone walks out and stays out together. Of course, the loss of wages for a man who was earning maybe 6 dollars a week caused huge strain on poor families, and employers had no problem hiring non-union labor to come in and work for the strikers. Ford hated the unions and was the last of the car manufacturers to recognize the right of the workers to organize. The detective agency Pinkertons was originally created to break up strikes by Ford workers at the Dearborn plant in Michigan, and they cheerfully broke up picket lines with shotguns, Billy clubs, and anything else they saw fit, all the while protected or ignored by the police. Many Americans are still prevented from organizing themselves into a union, as is evidenced by the struggle for recognition by the employees at Wal-Mart. Other Americans do not see the need for trade unions; after all, this is America and not Russia. But when you realize that in 1920 there was no medical insurance, no paid maternity leave, no paid day off for Labor Day (ironically Labor Day is to celebrate the gains made for American workers, but of course the Wal-Mart employees and many many others are still required to work on labor day) no paid day off for Presidents day. The right to a 5-day 40 hour workweek was not won until the 1950s. Bear in mind that ANYTHING an employer gives an employee comes directly out of his pocket. DO you think you would have all the benefits you have today if people had not given their lives to the Pinkerton thugs in Dearborn? No. Youd still be working 11 hours a day 6 days a week, with one day off for Christmas. I strongly suggest you do a lot of reading and some internet research if you want to know why you have the benefits you do (and the European benefits, which are even better than yours, because unlike Americans, most European workers did not simply walk away from trade unions (largely, of course, because of the publicity generated by the connection between the Teamsters, Jimmy Hoffa, and the Mob). That should get you started anyway. Be grateful to the unions. OBJECTIVES OF TRADE UNION Industrial Relations :- Trade unions are formed to protect and promote the interests of their members. Their primary function is to protect the interests of workers against discrimination and unfair labor practices. Trade unions are form Representation Trade unions represent individual workers when they have a problem at work. If an employee feels he is being unfairly treated, he can ask the union representative to help sort out the difficulty with the manager or employer. Unions also offer their members legal representation. Normally this is to help people get financial compensation for work-related injuries or to assist people who have to take their employer to courted to achieve the following objectives: Negotiation Negotiation is where union representatives, discuss with management, the issues which affect people working in an organization. There may be a difference of opinion between management and union members. Trade unions negotiate with the employers to find out a solution to these differences. Pay, working hours, holidays and changes to working practices are the sorts of issues that are negotiated. In many workplaces there is a formal agreement between the union and the company which states that the union has the right to negotiate with the employer. In these organizations, unions are said to be recognized for collective bargaining purposes. Voice in decisions affecting workers The economic security of employees is determined not only by the level of wages and duration of their employment, but also by the managements personal policies which include selection of employees for layoffs, retrenchment, promotion and transfer. These policies directly affect workers. The evaluation criteria for such decisions may not be fair. So, the intervention of unions in such decision making is a way through which workers can have their say in the decision Member services during the last few years, trade unions have increased the range of services they offer their members. These include: Education and training Most unions run training courses for their members on employment rights, health and safety and other issues. Some unions also help members who have left school with little education by offering courses on basic skills and courses leading to professional qualifications. Legal assistance As well as offering legal advice on employment issues, some unions give help with personal matters, like housing, wills and debt. Financial discounts People can get discounts on mortgages, insurance and loans from unions. Welfare benefits One of the earliest functions of trade unions was to look after members who hit hard times. Some of the older unions offer financial help to their members when they are sick or unemployed. WHAT IS A ATRIKE? A strike is when a group of workers agree to stop working. They do this when they want to protest against something they think is unfair where they work. Strikes sometimes happen so that politicians have to listen more carefully to the workers. Why do workers go on strike? Workers go on strike for different reasons: to get improvements where they work for more money for shorter working days to stop their wages going down because they think their company has been unfair. TYPES OF STRIKES The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) provides legal protections for two kinds of strikes, economic strikes and unfair labor practices strikes. The former is a strike that is undertaken by workers in order to garner improvements in their wages, benefits, hours, or working conditions. An unfair labor practices strike is an action that has far more serious legal implications for small business owners. This kind of strike occurs in instances where the employer allegedly violates NLRA rules that protect workers during collective bargaining. Typical violations that prompt an unfair labor practices strike include refusing to pay benefits when theyre due, discharging an employee for engaging in union activities, and refusing to bargain in good faith, reported J.D. Thorne in Small Business Reports. An unfair labor practices strike not only threatens a loss of business, but also requires that you return picketing workers to their jobs when the strike ends. Therefore, you must fire loyal r eplacement workers who crossed the picket line to work-and helped keep your business afloat. Businesses that do not do so are liable for back pay starting on the date that striking workers made their unconditional offer to return to work. Given the added risks associated with an unfair labor practices strike, then, Thorne contended that the most important aspect of managing an economic strike-the most common type-is to prevent it from becoming an unfair labor practices strike. Thorne noted that employer actions that could trigger this transformation include blatant ones, such as discharging an employee for engaging in his or her right to strike or withholding benefits (earned vacation time, pension-plan eligibility, etc.) as well as more subtle ones that nonetheless violate the National Labor Relations Act. The issue of communications with union members, for instance, is rife with rules that can ensnare the unknowing small business owner. These communication rules apply both to the pre-strike and strike periods. Following are specific guidelines that small businesses should adhere to in negotiations: Continue to bargain in good faith throughout the process. Both sides have a continuing responsibility to engage in good faith collective bargaining, wrote Thorne, which means that you must meet with the union with the intent of reaching an agreement about the workers demands. Failure to do so also could convert the nature of a strike. Provide unions with all information to which they are legally entitled. Under U.S. labor law, unions can request information about managements plans regarding various operational aspects of the business during the strike. For example, the union can ask for information about where the business plans to get replacement workers and the wages that they will be paid. Know management rights. Many legal protections are in place to protect workers from unfair management practices, but business owners have rights, too. Thorne noted, for instance, that businesses can discuss and clarify with striking employees how their proposal differs from that of the union leadership, and they can ask employees to vote to accept your final offer when its presented for ratification. Many strike situations also give them the option of utilizing replacement workers without penalty. Nonetheless, businesses should be aware that there are many legal dos and donts associated with management-union interactions during collective bargaining and strike periods, and they should make sure that they have adequate legal representation to assist them in this area. HOW TO MANAGING A STRIKE The beginning of an employee strike is almost always a difficult period for small business owners. The adversarial nature of such actions can be jarring for company leaders who are unfamiliar with strikes, and the walk-out itself can threaten small-and midsized business owners with devastating economic consequences (large companies can be hurt by strikes, too, of course, but their very existence is not usually jeopardized). Given this reality, small business owners and their management teams must take steps to ensure that their companies will be able to continue their operations during the strike. As Brenda Paik Sunoo wrote in Personnel Journal, a strike will inevitably pose challenges in many areas: managing contingent workers; setting up communication between management and all employees; maintaining customer service; establishing interim policies regarding benefits, overtime, vacations, and sick leave; and bolstering non-striking employees morale. Clearly, those that prepare well in advance will suffer the least trauma during and after a labor dispute. Indeed, business experts universally agree that advance planning is key to managing a strike. They note that few companies can claim that they were caught flat-footed by a work stoppage. Most strikes occur when labor contracts expire, and even those that do not take place on such a specific date typically provide management with plenty of warning signs. Businesses that prepare for contract expirations and other potential strike periods by drawing up detailed contingency plans in advance will be much better equipped to weather a strike than will those firms that wait until the last minute. In recognition of this reality, Risk Management noted in 1998 that increasing numbers of companies have created management teams-sometimes called strike contingency planning teams (SCPTs)-to address potential strike issues. Advance preparation efforts should cover a broad spectrum of operational areas. For example, businesses should have a plan in place to put together a contingent work force, whether comprised of replacements, non-striking employees (often supervisory personnel), or a combination of the two. A company that maintains information on recent job applicants, for example, may find itself better positioned to form a contingent work force than a firm that neglects to do so. Contingent work forces will also need training on a variety of issues, from duties to customer relations to legal matters (non-striking personnel already employed by the company may well need this training as well, since they will in many cases be undertaking unfamiliar tasks and interacting with customers and suppliers with whom they may not be familiar. Appropriate training programs should be in place well before a strike, not cobbled together after a strike actually occurs. Employers will also have to prepare interim pol icies governing various human resource issues for both striking and non-striking workers. Companies facing strike actions should also make sure that their customers and suppliers are notified at appropriate times of that possibility. If your company suddenly announces to a major customer that your facility has been hit with a strike without providing that customer without any prior warning, you are likely to lose that customer for good, even after the labor dispute has been resolved. Businesses facing strikes should also make preparations for alternative service to valued clients and customers. Another key to successful strike management, say labor experts, is for management to maintain a professional stance throughout. Many labor disputes disintegrate into intensely negative clashes, with repercussions that are felt long after the strike itself has been settled. Small business owners should do their best to prevent negotiations from becoming acrimonious. Owners who are capable of empathy with their striking employees concerns about job security and economic wellbeing will be better able to manage this than will those who automatically dismiss all work stoppages as solely an outgrowth of union greed. Finally, business owners should plan ahead to make sure that they have adequate security if a strike takes place. Strikes, by their very nature, are adversarial, stated Sunoo. They often are accompanied by disruptions in service and product delivery, and sometimes even violence. Savvy businesses will contact local legal and governmental authorities in advance to discuss issues such as picket lines, responses to disturbances, etc. In addition, businesses at risk of being the target of a work stoppage will often need to hire security forces to monitor the premises and protect their contingent work force. The role of security is twofold, said one security expert in an interview with Personnel Journal: 1) providing managers and non-striking employees with assurances that they can go to work without being injured, and 2) gathering evidence of any strike-related misconduct on the part of strikers for later use in legal proceedings. Companies seeking security service have a number of options from which to choose, including their own personnel, local off-duty law enforcement personnel, and local security firms that provide security guards. Experts recommend that companies seeking security help look to firms with previous strike experience and avoid local security firms unless they can get assurances that none of their guards have any meaningful social or familial relationship to any of the strikers. SOME EXAMPLES OF ST RIKES:- Wildcat strikes These are sudden unofficial strikes. They are not organized by a trade union, but union members might be involved. Wildcat action can start because of what seems to be a small problem, like the length of a tea break or the treatment of one worker. They might start small but if workers are angry with their bosses the strikes can spread fast and cause a lot of problems. What are pickets? Pickets are workers who are on strike that stand at the entrance to their workplace. The purpose of picketing is: to stop or persuade workers not to go to work to tell the public about the strike to persuade workers to take their unions side . ARTICLES:- 1.Express staff threaten strike Stephen Brook, press correspondent guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 November 2006 18.40 GMT Article history Union staff at Express newspapers will ballot for industrial action unless management withdraws its plans for 35 staff redundancies, a union meeting decided tonight. The National Union of Journalists chapel committee for the Daily and Sunday Express and Daily and Sunday Star were due to tell management tonight of its resolution, which was passed by about 200 chapel members with one abstention and one no vote. This chapel demands that management immediately calls a halt to its plan for wholesale redundancies among staff and casuals, the resolution stated. We instruct our officers to put in motion the necessary processes to ballot for industrial action should this not be immediately forthcoming. Late last Friday, the papers parent company, Northern Shell, told chapel committee members it would make 35 job cuts and close the business section of the Daily Express, outsourcing it to the Press Association. The union says this would result in up to 60 job losses, including casuals and other contributors. Other cuts will also see the news and features production departments merge, as will the Daily and Sunday Express travel sections. ABSTRACT FROM THE ABOVE:- 2. Government intervention to prevent airline mechanics strike On February 9, the governments National Mediation Board released the mechanics union at Northwest Airlines to prepare for a strike. This release came only after the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, the union for the 10,000 mechanics, carried out public picketing, saying the board was taking the companys side and holding the contract hostage. The mechanics have been working four and a half years without a new contract. The old one they were stuck with contained big wage concessions. Meanwhile the company has been reaping big profits. Nevertheless, even while releasing the union for a strike, the board declared a 30-day cooling off period. It also urged President Bush to prevent any strike, saying a strike threatens substantially to deprive a section of the country of essential transportation service, meaning the near monopoly of Northwest Airlines at the Minneapolis-St Paul, Detroit and Memphis airports. The Bush Administration issued a statement that it wasnt going to allow a strike to occur. All the members of the National Mediation Board were appointed by President Clinton. The three person board from the start had a majority of management members. Its chairman, Francis Duggan, was a vice president of the Association of American Railroads; member Magdalena Jacobsen was a labor relations manager for Continental Airlines. In 1997, Clinton broke the American Airlines pilots strike after 7 minutes by appointing an emergency board to oversee the situation. Now Bush is announcing he will do the same thing Clinton did. When in gets down to basics -like preventing strikes -the only difference between a Democrat and a Republican is whether they smile at you when plunging in the knife. 3. Air India pilots to go on strike from 24 Nov The Air India management came unprepared for the meeting, claimed Otaal Mumbai: The Indian Commercial Pilots Association, or ICPA, at state-owned airline Air India, on Monday, said it will strike work beginning 24 November. The decision comes after a Monday meeting with the Central Labour Commissioner and Air India management was inconclusive. The talks were inconclusive. The Central Labour Commissioner has called for another meeting on 20 November but we are going ahead with our strike decision and we will serve a strike notice tomorrow in two week advance, said ICPA general secretary R. S. Otaal told Mint on the telephone. ICPA currently has at least 800 members. A spokesperson for National Aviation Co of India Ltd or Nacil, that runs Air India, declined comment for this story. The Air India management came unprepared for the meeting, claimed Otaal. Our demand is the same about clearing salary dues. We are fed up with the dues from the productivity linked incentives (PLIs). The cash-strapped airline had suggested a 50% cut in the PLI to save save about Rs700 crore. PLIs currently account for 30% to 50% of Air India employees wages. PLIs have not been paid since August. The national carrier, which has cumulative losses of Rs7,226 crore for financial years 2008 and 2009, has asked the government for a loan and equity infusion of around Rs15,000 core. Air Indias borrowings increased to Rs15,241 crore at the end of June, up from Rs6,550 crore in November 2007. 4. India airport strike threatens to paralyze travel Airport workers across India threatened to strike at midnight on Tuesday, a move that could ground hundreds of commercial flights and leave NEW DELHI Airport workers across India threatened to strike at midnight on Tuesday, a move that could ground hundreds of commercial flights and leave tens of thousands of passengers stranded. The threatened strike is over plans to privatize two major airports, but workers are expected to join in at 127 other state-run airports nearly every airport in India except New Delhi and Mumbai, the two busiest airports, which are already privately run. S. R. Santhanam, a leader of the airport workers union, said the decision to launch an open-ended strike starting at midnight Tuesday was made after talks with the government broke down Monday. No talks are scheduled unless the government sends a message, he said, adding that some 15,000 airport workers, including baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff would go on strike. The dispute between stems from a government plan to privatize new airports in the southern cities of Hyderabad and Bangalore, a move that union says will endanger the jobs of hundreds of employees. Airport authorities plan to shift all commercial activity from the cities old airports to the new ones when they open in coming weeks. Hyderabad and Bangalore are both large cities that are home to several major multinational corporations as well as scores of thriving information technology companies. The government plans to use the old airports for disaster management and flights carrying government leaders, aviation ministry spokeswoman Moushmi Chakravarty said. Chakravarty said the private operators would retain the employees. However, the unions worry that there could be future layoffs. Subhash Goyal, chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, said any strike could cost the booming aviation sector millions of dollars. It will have a tremendous impact on travelers, he said. Indias airline industry has grown dramatically in recent years as rising incomes and loosened regulations put air travel within reach of millions of new customers. In the early 1990s, Indian Airlines was the countrys single carrier, but Indian authorities opened up the airways and since then about a dozen airlines have opened for business, leading to a heated competition and low prices. 5. Strike and police brutality at Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, 2005 Submitted by Steven. on Jan 8 2010 01:00 Prol-Position on the violent, month-long strike/lockout of HMSI workers in India in 2005, which ended with the employers giving into many of the workers demands. The following summary relies entirely on media reports we couldnt get hold of any first hand reports from comrades. The month-long strike/lock-out at HMSI and the police attack on the workers caused a big stir in India. This is mainly due to the location of   the strike: a modern factory of a multinational company in a developing region which up to that point was not seen as prone to industrial disputes. The conflict at Honda threatened to become a spark in a generally tense atmosphere within Indias modern international industry. Therefore the police brutality against the workers cant be understood as a mere response to a single workers struggle, but must rather be explained by the general situation in the new investment zones (see also Newsletter 3 on call centers in India). In order to understand the political significance of the dispute for the Indian economy we recommend you read the detailed analysis of the Indian group Rupee. They describe the increased dependence of the Indian economy on foreign capital influx since the crash in 1991, the new privatization schemes and the other, dark side , of India Shining (the Indian boom). About the Region Gurgaon is situated in the state of Haryana, close to New Delhi, a town in a rural area without any tradition of workers struggles. The new town centre is characterized by modern office blocks and shopping malls. Companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Nokia have their headquarters here. The government of Haryana implemented strict anti-union labor laws in order to attract further foreign investment. The industrial zone mushroomed during the last five years and comprises 90 factories, with a large share of companies in the automobile sector. About 70 percent of all motor-scooters produced in India are said to be produced in this region. Japanese companies play an important role, given that Japan is Indias fourth biggest foreign investor and about three quarters of all Japanese companies in India are situated in Gurgaon. The AITUC is the most important union in Gurgaon, it is supported by the CPI(M). The Communist Parties of India have a difficult role to play. On the one hand, they have to make an effort to appear to support the workers, including by patriotic propaganda against foreign investors. On the other, they have the duties of governing parties. West Bengal is a CP-led state and attracts the second greatest amount of foreign investment of all Indian states. Shortly before the incidents in Gurgaon the government of West Bengal signed a 500 Million US-Dollar deal with Mitsubishi. The Situation in the Modern Industrial Sector The struggle in Gurgaon took place against the background of various conflicts within the modern industrial sector which often resulted in significant wage improvements for the workers. At HMSI the management claims that the workers already received a 100 percent wage raise in the previous year. In June 2005 the workers at Toyota in Bangalore demanded a 100 percent wage increase. The management promised 25 percent and was able to avoid industrial action. At the car part suppliers Speedo ax, Hitachi Electrics and Omax Auto, all situated in Gurgaon, industrial disputes were only settled a few days before the police attack on the HMSI workers. Apart from a booming, but still modest, automobile export industry more and more electronic device companies (mobile phones etc.) are opening their factories in India. Companies like Solectron and Flextronics have recently increased their investment in the sub-continent. The individual ownership of mobile phones has increased from 6 million in 200 0 to 50 million in 2005 and is supposed to grow by 20 million each year. The automobile export sector is still confined to a few companies and models (Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Fiat, Skoda, Suzuki and Mahindra), exporting about 130,000 cars in 2004, but the sector, particularly the car component industry, is growing. About the factory The factory is modern, only four years old. The plant churns out 2,000 scooters per day and employs about 1,900 to 2,500 workers. In 2004 HMSI is said to have sold 550,000 scooters in India. Scooters and other two-wheelers are still the most important means of motorised transport in India. In 2003-04 about 5,625,000 motorcycles were sold, compared to 850,000 cars. Most of the workers are hired by subcontractors or only get daily contracts. The wages are poor, securing mere survival. A lot of workers come from the surrounding small villages or even from othe

Lagos, Nigeria :: essays research papers

Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. In 1989 the population was 1,274,000. It is still growing immensely as we speak. It is the former capital of Nigeria. It is located on the Gulf of Guinea. It occupies four islands(Lagos, Ikoyi, Victoria, and Ido). Lagos is Nigeria's largest city. It is the administrative and economic center of Lagos and also its main port. Main Industries include railroad repair, motor vehicle assembly, food processing, and the manufacture of metal products, textiles, beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, soap, and furniture. The city is a road and railroad center and has an international airport. In Lagos, education is usually private. There are both Boarding Schools and Home schooling and both cost a lot of money. Public Schools are not that common in Lagos like they are here. The main source of transportation in Lagos is Buses and â€Å"tracks." Tracks are a simple version of street cars. In Lagos, power failures, water-supply interruptions and traffic jams is very common due to the huge population. Pollution is a very serious problem because of the surrounding lagoons have been used as dumps for the past few years and the increase in factories and cars. There are many national institutions located in Lagos, among them are the National Museum, the National Library, the University of Nigeria, and the University of Lagos. Brief History The Portuguese, was the first to visit Lagos in 1472. It was later established as a slave-trading center. The area was under the rule of the Kingdom of Benin from the late-16th to the mid-19th century then in 1861. It was later taken over by the British.

Lawless

SYNOPSIS Creates diversionary program for juveniles who are criminally charged for â€Å"sexting† or posting sexual images. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Act creating a diversionary program for certain juveniles, and amending P. L. 1982, c. 81 and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 2 of P. L. 1982, c. 81 (C. 2A:4A-71) is amended to read as follows: 2. Review and processing of complaints. a. The jurisdiction of the court in any complaint filed pursuant to section 11 of P. L. 1982, c. 77 (C. A:4A-30) shall extend to the juvenile who is the subject of the complaint and his parents or guardian. b. Every complaint shall be reviewed by court intake services for recommendation as to whether the complaint should be dismissed, diverted, or referred for court action. Where the complaint alleges a crime which, if committed by an adult, would be a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or alleges a repetitive disorderly persons offense or any disorderly persons offense defined in chapter 35 or chapter 36 of Title 2C, the complaint shall be referred for court action, unless the prosecutor otherwise consents to diversion.Court intake services shall consider the following factors in determining whether to recommend diversion: (1) The seriousness of the alleged offense or conduct and the circumstances in which it occurred; (2) The age and maturity of the juvenile; (3) The risk that the juvenile presents as a substantial danger to others; (4) The family circumstances, including any history of drugs, alcohol abuse or child abuse on the part of the juvenile, his parents or guardian; (5) The nature and number of contacts with court intake services and the court that the juvenile or his family have had; 6) The outcome of those contacts, including the services to which the juvenile or family have been referred and the results of those referrals; (7) The availability of appropriate services outside referral to the court; (8) Any recommendations expressed by the victim or complainant, or arresting officer, as to how the case should be resolved; [and] (9) Any recommendation expressed by the county prosecutor; and (10) The offense alleged is an eligible offense pursuant to section 3 of P. L. , c. (C. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and the juvenile is eligible to participate in the educational reform program set forth section 3 of P. L. ,c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill). (cf: P. L. 1988, c. 44, s. 17) 2. (New section) Where a complaint against a juvenile pursuant to section 11 of P. L. 1982, c. 77 (C. 2A:4A-30) alleges that the juvenile has committed an eligible offense satisfying the criteria set forth in subsection c. of section 3 of P. L. , c. (C. ) (pending before he Legislature as this bill) and the court has approved diversion of the complaint pursuant to section 4 of P. L. 1982, c. 81 (C. 2A:4A-73) the resolution of the complaint shall include participation in an educational program set forth in 3 of P. L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). 3. (New section). a. As used in P. L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), â€Å"eligible offense† means an offense in which: (1) the facts of the case involve the creation, exhibition or distribution of a photograph depicting nudity as defined in N.J. S. 2C:24-4 through the use of an electronic communication device, an interactive wireless communications device or a computer; and (2) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the time of its making. b. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall develop an educational program for juveniles who have committed an eligible offense as defined under the provisions of subsection a. of this section.A juvenile who successfully co mpletes the program shall have the opportunity to avoid prosecution for the eligible offense. c. Admission to the program shall be limited to cases where: (1) the juvenile has not previously been adjudicated delinquent for or convicted of a crime or offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N. J. S. 2C:24-4; luring or enticing a child pursuant to section 1 of P. L. 1993, c. 291 (C. C:13-6); luring or enticing an adult pursuant to section 1 of P. L. 2005, c. 1 (C. 2C:13-7) or an attempt to commit any of the enumerated offenses; (2) the juvenile was not aware that his actions could constitute and did not have the intent to commit a criminal offense; (3) there is a likelihood that the juvenile’s offense is related to a condition or situation that would be conducive to change through his participation in the educational program; and (4) the benefits to society in admitting the juvenile into this educational program outweigh the harm done to society by abandoning criminal prosecution. . The educational program shall provide information concerning: (1) the legal consequences of and penalties for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials, including applicable federal and State statutes; (2) the non-legal consequences of sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities; 3) how the unique characteristics of cyberspace and the Internet, including searchibility, replicability, and an infinite audience, can produce long-term and unforeseen consequences for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials; and (4) the possible connection between bullying and cyber-bullying and juveniles sharing sexually suggest ive or explicit materials. e. The Attorney General may promulgate guidelines to effectuate the provisions of this act. 4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment. STATEMENTThis bill establishes an educational program as an alternative to prosecution for certain juveniles who are charged with a criminal offense for posting sexually suggestive or sexually explicit photographs, or who engage in the behavior commonly known as â€Å"sexting,† in which these pictures are transmitted via cell phones. The bill provides that where a complaint against a juvenile alleges that the juvenile has committed an â€Å"eligible offense† and the court approves diversion of the complaint, the resolution of the complaint would include participation in the educational program created by the bill.The bill defines an â€Å"eligible offense† as an offense in which: (1) the facts of the case involve the creation, exhibition or distribution of a pho tograph depicting nudity as defined in N. J. S. A. 2C:24-4 through the use of an electronic communication device, an interactive wireless communications device or a computer; and (2) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the time of its making. Under the bill, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Courts, would develop an educational program for these juveniles.A juvenile who successfully completes the program would have the opportunity to avoid prosecution for the offense. Admission to the program would be limited to cases where: (1) the juvenile has not previously been adjudicated delinquent for or convicted of a crime or offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; endangering the welfare of a child; luring or enticing a child; luring or enticing an adult or an attempt to commit any of the enum erated offenses; 2) the juvenile was not aware that his actions could constitute, and did not have the intent to commit, a criminal offense; (3) there is a likelihood that the juvenile’s offense is related to a condition or situation that would be conducive to change through his participation in the educational program; and (4) the benefits to society in admitting the juvenile into this educational program outweigh the harm done to society by abandoning criminal prosecution.The educational program would provide information concerning: (1) the legal consequences of and penalties for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials, including applicable federal and State statutes; (2) the non-legal consequences of sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities; 3) how the unique characte ristics of cyberspace and the Internet, including searchibility, replicability, and an infinite audience, can produce long-term and unforeseen consequences for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials; and (4) the possible connection between bullying and cyber-bullying and juveniles sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials. In addition, the bill amends N. J. S. A. 2A:4A-71 to specifically provide for the diversion of juveniles into the newly created educational program created under the bill as one of the enumerated recommendations which can be made by the court.SYNOPSIS Creates diversionary program for juveniles who are criminally charged for â€Å"sexting† or posting sexual images. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced. An Act creating a diversionary program for certain juveniles, and amending P. L. 1982, c. 81 and supplementing Title 2A of the New Jersey Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 2 of P. L. 1982, c. 81 (C. 2A:4A-71) is amended to read as follows: 2. Review and processing of complaints. a. The jurisdiction of the court in any complaint filed pursuant to section 11 of P. L. 1982, c. 77 (C. A:4A-30) shall extend to the juvenile who is the subject of the complaint and his parents or guardian. b. Every complaint shall be reviewed by court intake services for recommendation as to whether the complaint should be dismissed, diverted, or referred for court action. Where the complaint alleges a crime which, if committed by an adult, would be a crime of the first, second, third or fourth degree, or alleges a repetitive disorderly persons offense or any disorderly persons offense defined in chapter 35 or chapter 36 of Title 2C, the complaint shall be referred for court action, unless the prosecutor otherwise consents to diversion.Court intake services shall consider the following factors in determining whether to recommend diversion: (1) The seriousness of the alleged offen se or conduct and the circumstances in which it occurred; (2) The age and maturity of the juvenile; (3) The risk that the juvenile presents as a substantial danger to others; (4) The family circumstances, including any history of drugs, alcohol abuse or child abuse on the part of the juvenile, his parents or guardian; (5) The nature and number of contacts with court intake services and the court that the juvenile or his family have had; 6) The outcome of those contacts, including the services to which the juvenile or family have been referred and the results of those referrals; (7) The availability of appropriate services outside referral to the court; (8) Any recommendations expressed by the victim or complainant, or arresting officer, as to how the case should be resolved; [and] (9) Any recommendation expressed by the county prosecutor; and (10) The offense alleged is an eligible offense pursuant to section 3 of P. L. , c. (C. (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and the juvenile is eligible to participate in the educational reform program set forth section 3 of P. L. ,c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill). (cf: P. L. 1988, c. 44, s. 17) 2. (New section) Where a complaint against a juvenile pursuant to section 11 of P. L. 1982, c. 77 (C. 2A:4A-30) alleges that the juvenile has committed an eligible offense satisfying the criteria set forth in subsection c. of section 3 of P. L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and the court has approved diversion of the complaint pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1982, c. 81 (C. 2A:4A-73) the resolution of the complaint shall include participation in an educational program set forth in 3 of P. L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). 3. (New section). a. As used in P. L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), â€Å"eligible offense† means an offense in which: (1) the facts of the case involve the creation, exhibition or distribution of a photograph depicting nudity as defined in N. J. S. 2C:24-4 through the use of an electronic communication device, an interactive wireless communications device or a computer; and 2) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the time of its making. b. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrative Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall develop an educational program for juveniles who have committed an eligible offense as defined under the provisions of subsection a. of this section. A juvenile who successfully completes the program shall have the opportunity to avoid prosecution for the eligible offense. c.Admission to the program shall be limited to cases where: (1) the juvenile has not previously been adjudicated delinquent for or convicted of a crime or offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; en dangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N. J. S. 2C:24-4; luring or enticing a child pursuant to section 1 of P. L. 1993, c. 291 (C. 2C:13-6); luring or enticing an adult pursuant to section 1 of P. L. 2005, c. 1 (C. C:13-7) or an attempt to commit any of the enumerated offenses; (2) the juvenile was not aware that his actions could constitute and did not have the intent to commit a criminal offense; (3) there is a likelihood that the juvenile’s offense is related to a condition or situation that would be conducive to change through his participation in the educational program; and (4) the benefits to society in admitting the juvenile into this educational program outweigh the harm done to society by abandoning criminal prosecution. . The educational program shall provide information concerning: (1) the legal consequences of and penalties for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials, including applicable federal and State statutes; (2) the non-legal consequences of sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities; 3) how the unique characteristics of cyberspace and the Internet, including searchibility, replicability, and an infinite audience, can produce long-term and unforeseen consequences for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials; and (4) the possible connection between bullying and cyber-bullying and juveniles sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials. e. The Attorney General may promulgate guidelines to effectuate the provisions of this act. 4. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month after enactment. STATEMENTThis bill establishes an educational program as an alternative to prosecution for certain juveniles who are charged with a criminal offense for posting sexually suggestive or sexually explicit pho tographs, or who engage in the behavior commonly known as â€Å"sexting,† in which these pictures are transmitted via cell phones. The bill provides that where a complaint against a juvenile alleges that the juvenile has committed an â€Å"eligible offense† and the court approves diversion of the complaint, the resolution of the complaint would include participation in the educational program created by the bill.The bill defines an â€Å"eligible offense† as an offense in which: (1) the facts of the case involve the creation, exhibition or distribution of a photograph depicting nudity as defined in N. J. S. A. 2C:24-4 through the use of an electronic communication device, an interactive wireless communications device or a computer; and (2) the creator and subject of the photograph are juveniles or were juveniles at the time of its making. Under the bill, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Administrative Office of the Courts, would develop an educatio nal program for these juveniles.A juvenile who successfully completes the program would have the opportunity to avoid prosecution for the offense. Admission to the program would be limited to cases where: (1) the juvenile has not previously been adjudicated delinquent for or convicted of a crime or offense which, if committed by an adult, would constitute aggravated sexual assault; sexual assault; aggravated assault; aggravated criminal sexual contact; endangering the welfare of a child; luring or enticing a child; luring or enticing an adult or an attempt to commit any of the enumerated offenses; 2) the juvenile was not aware that his actions could constitute, and did not have the intent to commit, a criminal offense; (3) there is a likelihood that the juvenile’s offense is related to a condition or situation that would be conducive to change through his participation in the educational program; and (4) the benefits to society in admitting the juvenile into this educational program outweigh the harm done to society by abandoning criminal prosecution.The educational program would provide information concerning: (1) the legal consequences of and penalties for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials, including applicable federal and State statutes; (2) the non-legal consequences of sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials including, but not limited to, the effect on relationships, loss of educational and employment opportunities, and being barred or removed from school programs and extracurricular activities; 3) how the unique characteristics of cyberspace and the Internet, including searchibility, replicability, and an infinite audience, can produce long-term and unforeseen consequences for sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials; and (4) the possible connection between bullying and cyber-bullying and juveniles sharing sexually suggestive or explicit materials. In addition, the bill amends N. J. S. A. 2A:4A-71 to specifically provide for the diversion of juveniles into the newly created educational program created under the bill as one of the enumerated recommendations which can be made by the court.

How to Write a Novel Using The Three-Act Structure

How to Write a Novel Using The Three-Act Structure How to Write a Novel Using The Three Act Structure The three-act structure is perhaps the most common technique in the English-speaking world for plotting stories - widely used by screenwriters and novelists. It digs deep into the popular notion that a story must have a beginning, middle, and end, and goes even further, defining specific plot events that must take place at each stageIn this post, we dissect the three acts and each of their plot points - using three-act structure examples from popular culture to illustrate each point.Let’s begin! In three, two, one... How to write a novel using the ever-popular three-act structure. What is the three-act structure?How to Outline a Novel: an Author's Guide (with Template) Read post The three-act structure is just one way to think about a story, so writers shouldn’t feel limited. The benefit of using the three-act structure is that it will help ensure that every scene starts and end with a clear purpose and direction. Even if you don't start outlining your novel with it, if you find yourself struck by pacing issues, it's often useful to fit your story into the three-act structure to see why that might be.Have you written a novel using the three-act structure? Leave any questions or thoughts on this popular plotting method in the comments below!

Abandoning West Virginias Natural Resources

Abandoning West Virginias Natural Resources Free Online Research Papers The powerful industry of coal mining has left the Mountain State in disarray as the result of coal mines that have been abandoned. Coal provides a major source of energy across America; the coal mines of West Virginia have not only provided a major source of coal, they have also provided jobs and those jobs have built communities. Even though coal mining has been prosperous, it has had negative effects on the economy and the environment when the mines are left abandoned. The cleanup of closed mines has become time consuming and expensive. Abandoned mines not only pose a danger to our water, soil and air, they also harbor hidden dangers. State and Federal agencies are taking the devastating effects of abandoned coal mines into their own hands by reclaiming West Virginia. CLASSIFICATION OF ABANDONED MINES For operational purposes and to avoid double counting or undercounting emissions, the Mine Safety and Health Administration classified inactive or nonproducing mines into three classes: 1. Non-Producing, Men Working – Persons are maintaining equipment, but there is not any coal being produced. 2. No one working, Temporarily Abandoned Mine may re-open. Coal production has ceased, there are no persons working. 3. No One Working, Permanently Abandoned There has been coal produced and no persons working for a period greater than 90 days. The classifications are important in counting a mine as active or inactive for emission inventory. Although a mine is classified NO ONE WORKING, TERMPORARILY ABANDONED is considered inactive, it can be considered active if ventilation fans continue to operate after the mine is closed. Without defining abandoned mines, mines will be double counted and will give a wrong number for emission and abandonment. (EPA, 2004) DANGERS OF ABANDONED MINES Abandoned mines offer adults and children adventure that often ends in death. Some of the dangers are obvious, while often the most deadly ones remain hidden. Some of the most common dangers include: (Labor) Vertical Shafts Can be hundreds of feet deep May be completely unprotected at the surface Can be hidden by vegetation or covered by rotten boards Horizontal Openings Opening may seem sturdy Rotting timbers and unstable rock formation pose cave ins Darkness and debris makes them more dangerous Deadly Gases Lethal concentration of deadly gases accumulate in underground passages Excavated Vertical Cliffs/ Highwalls Can be unstable Prone to collapse Hills of loose material in stockpiles or refuse heaps Can collapse on biker or climber Water filled quarries and pits, rock ledges Hide old machinery and other hazards Water Can be deeper than expected and can be extremely cold Steep, slippery walls makes exiting swimming holes difficult ( U.S. Department of Labor, MSHA, 03/24/2005, msha.gov/SOSA/facts.asp) NATURE RETURNS TO HARM ITSELF The after effects of coal mining linger in the environment for several years. The valuable resources given by nature often returns to become natures most dangerous enemy. Toxic gases and metals find their way into the environment to infect the air, water, and earth from which they came with their poisons. The poison emitted into the environment sometimes kills animals, plants, and even humans. Some of the most deadly metals and gases are: Acid, cyanide, methane, iron, aluminum, manganese, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Nearly every abandoned coal mine has water accumulating and flowing in and out of it. These waters are usually highly acidic and filled with dissolved metals. The following creeks are some of the most common polluted by abandoned coal mines: Kettle Creek: Some areas of Kettle Creek have outstanding levels of acidity, iron, and aluminum. These levels are greater than what the EPA considers safe and acceptable. The creek’s main stem and coldwater tributaries are lifeless because of drainage from abandoned coal mines. The cost to date to clean up this creek is around $ 1.2 million and an estimated $ 12 million will be necessary to finish the clean up. (Tim Zink, 2007) Coal Creek: This creek suffers because of the four abandoned mine drainage sites in the watershed, three deep mine discharges, and a large refuge pile. The greatest source of pollution there is from the refuse pile. Although the cost of $ 1.5 million is not as significant as the cost of the cleanup of Kettle Creek, the cost is still great to clean up the pollution left behind. (Tim Zink, 2007) The Cheat: Fifty-three streams in the Cheat watershed are considered impacted by abandoned mine drainage and the outstanding cost of $ 20 for cleanup doesn’t make the mess any prettier. Stoneycreek – Conemaugh Rivers: At least 270 abandoned coal mine discharges were found in 1994 during a U.S. Geological Survey. Out of these 270 discharges 193 were dangerously acidic, 122 exceeded standards for iron concentration, and 141 exceeded standards for manganese. Another $ 8 million is expected to be spent on cleaning up the discharges. Although not all of these creeks and streams are located in West Virginia, it is obvious that the terrible effects of the drainage from abandoned mines do exist. The cost of cleaning up these abandoned mines and their remains only add insult to the injury. (Tim Zink, 2007) THE MINE OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY The costly cleanup of these abandoned mines often falls on the government even though the owner’s of the mines are responsible for the cost and maintenance of the mines. In 1977 Congress created the Abandoned Mine Lands program to help pay for the cost of clean-up. Mining companies across the nation were to pay 35 cents per ton of surface-mined coal and 15 cents per ton of underground-mined coal to help pay for the cost of reclaiming old mines. West Virginia government has set aside 10 percent of its budget for acid mine drainage. This money and the money from the mining companies don’t come anywhere close to the actual cost to clean up the land. (The State Journal- News for West Virginias Leaders, 2005) Abandoned mines are a problem throughout the United States; they have truly had an effect on the environment and the economy. They pose hazards to wildlife and human life. This prosperous industry has left the Mountain State not only with economic difficulties, but it has also left it with blemishes that will take years to clean up. ? Bibliography EPA. (2004, May). Methane Emissions from Abandoned Coal Mines inthe United States. Emission Inventory Methodology and 1990-2002 Emission Estimates . EPA. Labor, U. D. (n.d.). www.msha.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2008, from msha.gov/SOSA/fact.asp: msha.gov/SOSA/facts.asp The State Journal- News for West Virginias Leaders. (2005, June 16). Retrieved 12 29, 2009, from West Virginia Legislature: legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=22art=2 Tim Zink, A. W. (2007). Trout Unlimited Conserving Coldwater Fisheries. Retrieved from Trout Unlimited: w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd webmaster. (2005, 03 24). U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 01 19, 2008, from MSHA: msha.gov/SOSA/facts.asp West Virginia Legislature. (n.d.). Retrieved 12 29, 2009, from West Virginia Code: legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/Code.cfm?chap=22art=2 Research Papers on Abandoning West Virginia's Natural ResourcesPETSTEL analysis of IndiaGenetic EngineeringTrailblazing by Eric AndersonTwilight of the UAWThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionHip-Hop is Art19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in Capital