Air Canada flight attendants were forced back to work and into arbitration by the Canadian government Saturday after a strike stranded over 100,000 travelers during the peak summer travel season. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu intervened, citing economic risks and the need for resolution, ordering the Canada Industrial Relations Board to extend the existing collective agreement. The union representing the 10,000 flight attendants criticized the government’s action, claiming it violated their right to strike, while the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the move. Air Canada has said it could take up to a week to fully restart operations, impacting an estimated 130,000 people daily.
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Ukraine, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, is pursuing the collection of $6.9 billion in international arbitration rulings against Gazprom. These rulings, along with a recent $1.37 billion win in Switzerland, demonstrate Russia’s responsibility and the strength of international law. Ukrainian ambassadors will receive instructions on how to recover these funds. This follows previous rulings finding Russia liable for Naftogaz asset expropriation in Crimea, with a French court authorizing the enforcement of a $5 billion award.
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The Paris Court of Appeal affirmed a 2018 arbitration ruling, rejecting Russia’s challenge and mandating compensation to Ukraine’s Oschadbank for losses stemming from the annexation of Crimea. This decision requires Russia to pay over $1.5 billion in damages and legal fees, marking the first such victory for a Ukrainian bank against Russia. Oschadbank has been actively pursuing Russian assets to enforce the award, recently seizing over 87 million euros in France. The bank is prepared for a prolonged legal battle to ensure Russia fulfills its financial obligations.
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I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of frustration and disillusionment as I read about a couple who were involved in a ‘life-changing’ crash with an Uber driver, only to find out they cannot sue Uber due to the terms and conditions they unknowingly agreed upon. It’s disheartening to see how companies like Uber and Uber Eats embed forced arbitration clauses into their terms of service, essentially shielding themselves from legal repercussions in cases of serious accidents.
Forced arbitration has become a convenient shield for big companies to escape the scrutiny of a public trial, leaving individuals at a significant disadvantage.… Continue reading
Disney’s recent attempt to invoke its terms of use to prevent a lawsuit concerning a tragic allergy-related death is a blatant display of corporate greed and insensitivity. The fact that they would try to shield themselves from accountability in such a heart-wrenching situation is despicable. The argument that by merely signing up for Disney+ or purchasing theme park tickets, individuals waive their right to a jury trial is preposterous. It is a clear abuse of power and an attempt to evade responsibility.
The case of Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan’s death due to severe allergies at a restaurant in Disney Springs, a third-party operated venue, is indeed tragic, but it is Disney’s response that is truly appalling.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker