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Time Is Money

Oct 19, 2024 • 5 min read

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CENTOM Activity
Union Petition Increase

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CENTOM Activity:

In the past week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has carried out several operations to address threats in its area of responsibility. CENTCOM forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 20 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS) and Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs). These Iranian-supplied weapons were launched intermittently by Houthi forces and Iranian-aligned militias, posing significant risks to U.S. forces, regional allies, and civilians. The interceptions were carried out using assets from the U.S. Air Force and Navy, and no U.S. service members were harmed.
On October 11, CENTCOM conducted airstrikes against multiple ISIS camps in Syria, resulting in the deaths of 35 operatives, including key leaders. These strikes were aimed at disrupting ISIS’s ability to plan and execute attacks, supporting ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize the region. According to CENTCOM, no civilian casualties were reported, and the results are still under assessment. This is part of a continuous mission to degrade terrorist networks in the area.
Additionally, on October 13, at the direction of the President, the U.S. Secretary of Defense deployed a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel. This decision was made to enhance Israel’s air defense capabilities following multiple Iranian attacks earlier this year. The THAAD battery has now been integrated into the regional air defense architecture, boosting the ability to intercept aerial threats across the region.
Throughout the week, CENTCOM forces also targeted Houthi military capabilities. They conducted strikes on a Houthi Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher and related radar systems, as well as multiple Ground Control Stations (GCS) that directed drones targeting U.S. and coalition forces. On October 16, CENTCOM executed a series of airstrikes on Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, which contained missiles and other munitions used against military and civilian vessels. U.S. assets, including B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, were part of the operation, demonstrating the strategic efforts to counter threats and ensure maritime security in critical regions like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Union Petition Increase:

This year, American workers have filed 3,286 petitions with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to hold union elections, almost double the 1,638 petitions recorded in 2021. This surge indicates a growing interest in unionizing across various industries, as more workers seek to gain collective bargaining rights.
For a union to represent a group, it must win these NLRB-supervised elections, which formalizes their role as the workers’ negotiating body. Despite the increase in organizing efforts, the overall rate of union membership in the U.S. remains stagnant at around 11%, the lowest in recent history. This suggests that while more workers are pushing to unionize, obstacles like employer pushback, legal challenges, and difficulties in maintaining organized support have kept membership levels flat.
These hurdles mean that many of the efforts to form unions don’t always lead to long-term gains in membership numbers. Unions are worker organizations that negotiate with employers for better wages, benefits, and work conditions, aiming to give employees a stronger collective voice. Emerging during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, unions formed as a response to poor factory conditions and exploitative labor practices.
The labor movement gained traction with the establishment of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1886, focusing on skilled workers, and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) in the 1930s, which broadened to include various sectors. Union membership peaked mid-20th century, particularly after the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 legalized collective bargaining. However, membership has declined since the 1980s due to economic changes, globalization, and legal hurdles, though unions still play a vital role in advocating for worker rights today.

Statistic:

Largest companies by market capitalization:

🇺🇸 Apple: $3.572T

🇺🇸 NVIDIA: $3.385T

🇺🇸 Microsoft: $3.108T

🇺🇸 Alphabet (Google): $2.021T

🇺🇸 Amazon: $1.983T

🇸🇦 Saudi Aramco: $1.738T

🇺🇸 Meta Platforms: $1.458T

🇹🇼 TSMC: $1.041T

🇺🇸 Berkshire Hathaway: $1.001T

🇺🇸 Broadcom: $840.19B