Wage Theft Epidemic, Spur Nationwide Protests: Activists in more than 30 cities, organized by Interfaith Worker Justice and backed by labor groups, are staging a National Day of Action Against Wage Theft on November 18. As much as $19 billion is stolen from American workers annually in unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations and, in some cases, through the human trafficking of legal immigrant workers. The latest case to come to light involves alleged horrendous conditions for immigrant workers reportedly hoodwinked in Mexico by a food services contractor for the New York State Fair and kept in near-slavery conditions of $2 an hour.
The worsening economy makes it even easier to rip off workers desperate for work, the protesters declared (hat tip to Workday Minnesota). “Corporations are responsible for pitting cleaning companies against each other which results in plummeting wages and increased workloads,” said Veronica Mendez, an organizer with Center for Workers United in Struggle, a IWJ-affiliated labor-faith coalition. “The only way to stop this is for these retail chains to meet with workers to establish fair standards. These poor working conditions affect everyone in our communities..."
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - In the world of franchising, few brands have the luxury of expanding their business, with a cult-like brand following and organic public interest. Vancouver based franchisor Men in Kilts, is among the lucky few who have had this experience. Rather than going through the usual motions of aggressively marketing and blanket selling franchises, the company is literally turning down hundreds of would-be franchisees. The rationale behind this decision? An uncompromising model of sustainable, long term growth that is heavily focused on the success of individual franchises - a system strategically designed to attract the best-of-the-best.
Men in Kilts, a window cleaning, gutter cleaning and pressure washing company, is shaking up the franchise landscape with their unique business model; more specifically, their industry-bucking approach to growth. Not bad for a company that began in 2002 with $500 start-up cash and a rusty old Honda. Men in Kilts is doing its homework - hand selecting the right candidates in the right markets, while planning and executing a growth strategy that promises to be viable not only today, but for the long haul. Franchises are awarded strategically in major metropolitan centres and only to franchisees who have what it takes to drive and run a successful franchise. Demand for Men in Kilts' services has been booming, even during tough economic times. The Men in Kilts advantage? A focus on delivering a unique customer experience and no major players on a national level.
According to CEO and franchising powerhouse, Tressa Wood - a former executive credited with helping propel brands like 1-800-GOT-JUNK from $15 million to over $100 million in revenue - it is this distinctive approach that is garnering such phenomenal interest in the Men in Kilts brand and business model. To Wood, "In order for franchising to be successful in the long term, growth must be profitable and sustainable for franchisees. By awarding franchises and markets selectively, and providing multiple revenue streams, we are making sure franchisees are set up for long term success." In the next 12 months Men in Kilts anticipates expanding their BC-based operations and awarding franchise locations in markets that include Toronto, Calgary and select US centers in the West.
‘You will only get what you focus on.’ Name: Craig Marowitz. Title: President. Company: Expert Technology Associates, Plymouth Meeting. Type of company: Business communications solutions provider. Number of employees: 51. Recent project: Creating a cutting-edge phone system and data network for a global customer. Education: Central High, Temple University, and the “University of Life.” First Job: Olney Deli, age 14, doing everything. Little-known fact about you: Co-owned a residential window washing business at age 18. Home: Huntingdon Valley, but Philly in my heart. Essential business philosophy: You will only get what you focus on.
A bodybuilder who battered a teenager to death in a nightclub in a ‘jealous rage’ has failed in a bid to get his murder conviction overturned on appeal. Digger driver and muscle fanatic Nicholas Sitko, 24, headbutted and punched window cleaner Ben Lund, 19, to the ground at the Funktion Rooms on July 11 last year, after accusing him of chatting up his girlfriend. Sitko (pictured), of Mendip Avenue, Eastbourne, was jailed for life on January 29, after being convicted of Mr Lund’s murder at Lewes Crown Court. He was ordered to serve a 14-year minimum term. Lord Justice Pitchford, Mr Justice Henriques and Judge John Milford QC, sitting at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, heard him challenge both his conviction and his sentence.
Sitko’s lawyers argued that he ought not to have been tried for murder, given that he killed Mr Lund in a fight, claiming he had not meant to seriously hurt him. They contended that the judge should have withdrawn the murder charge from the jury and accepted Sitko’s guilty plea to manslaughter. Mr Justice Henriques said, “It is said this was a fist fight, not a gratuitous attack, and that the whole incident lasted less than 30 seconds. “He could not have the foresight that his actions could have these consequences, it is said. “We have considered with care these submissions. We are absolutely satisfied that the judge left this correctly to the jury’s decision. “A headbutt itself is capable of inflicting serious injury. It was a brief but sustained drunken attack on a helpless victim. “What he did, he did in a jealous rage,” the judge added, refusing his application for permission to appeal against conviction. Turning to his sentence challenge, the judge added, “We have come to the conclusion that there is no basis for reducing the minimum term fixed.”
Micky Flanagan plays on Friday 19 November, with Stewart Francis the following night on Saturday 20 November – with tickets already selling fast for both shows. Both comics are already big TV favourites after stand-out gigs in front of millions of comedy fans on BBC’s Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow – and they’re set to hit the TV again when the brand new series of Live at the Apollo starts at the end of the month. Described by Frank Skinner as ‘arguably the funniest comedian in the country,’ former Perrier nominee Micky Flanagan draws on his cockney working class background as a former fish-packer and window cleaner to his now self-styled status as ‘middle class ponce.’
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Until the north wind blows decisively colder weather our way, we find it difficult to walk outside without tangling with some remnant of a spider’s web. Only our size enables us to escape the silky, sticky bond. Daily brushing away of the webs does not deter the spider from spinning the filament again a few hours later in the same location. I’m not particularly afraid of spiders, but I do like to keep my distance from the wolf spider and the tarantula because they can jump. I really hate to get a near-invisible piece of the web wrapped around an arm or in my hair when I inadvertently walk through one of their lines cast from whatever object is handy to a plant, an outside chair or door. Suddenly, I begin to feel as if spiders are crawling on my head or my neck although I’ve never found that to be the case. The spider is generally more afraid of me than vice versa. Both of us want nothing more than to be left alone by the other, I’m sure. Once a garden spider glues its woven birthing sack to the window frame, there is little that can dislodge it. That garden spider is a master weaver. No stream of water from a hose will dislodge the silken bed that cradles its offspring. Thus, in the fall, window cleaning becomes a more tedious chore.
The mother of a baby boy killed by his father said there can "never be enough justice" after his murder conviction was overturned at the Appeal Court. Michael Burridge, 30, was jailed in March 2008 after a Plymouth Crown Court jury found him guilty of murdering eight-week-old Rees, but yesterday judges reduced his conviction to man-slaughter. Rees' mum Donna Glynn said: "For me, there will never be enough justice for Rees and this decision isn't one that I agree with, but I have to accept it. "My son died of horrific injuries. "A mother can never get over the death of a child, especially in these circumstances, but I have to try somehow to pick up the pieces and rebuild my life." Rees died in 2006, but Ms Glynn was only freed to organise his funeral this September, after a special order by Lord Justice Leveson to release the body, regarded as evidence in the appeal. Yesterday Ms Glynn said: "I think the only way my son could rest in peace is with an acknowledgement from Michael that he is responsible for killing Rees and for him to show some remorse. The jury heard expert evidence on 'shaken baby syndrome' but Burridge, a former soldier who later worked as a milkman and window cleaner, steadfastly protested his innocence.
According to the NHF and a report entitled Indoor Air Pollution, published by the American Lung Association, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Medical Association, the following are indoor air quality issues that can be major headache triggers: Carbon Monoxide Exposure: When a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HAVC) system is not functioning properly, it can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to enter your home, resulting in headaches, nausea, fatigue and other flue-like symptoms. Tobacco Smoke: Second hand tobacco smoke contains a complex concoction of over 4,000 chemicals, many being toxic, which can lead to a number of health problems for residents. Simply opening a window does not remove the dangerous carcinogens form the air. Sick Building Syndrome: This is a common situation in office and apartment buildings, in which occupants experience similar symptoms when inside the affected building; and alleviation of symptoms when they go outside. A contaminated HVAC system can be a contributor to Sick Building Syndrome, with the most common complaint being headaches.
Preserving the life of a downtown: Lena, Ill. - Forty-five years ago this past summer, a skinny, clumsy teenager sloshed a bucket of soapy water onto the sidewalk in front of Candy Bill’s and began washing the windows. Candy Bill’s was a candy store/soda fountain in my hometown and the windows needed daily washing because the town’s central business district abutted a dingy railroad yard and refinery district. I fell in love with the life of a downtown then and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. It was a unique community of store owners, tavern owners, and employees of the businesses on the block. The paperboy was a school chum who would someday be the mayor. Journal-Standard Publisher Steve Trosley bought his first car with window-washing money.
SEATTLE — The University of Washington women’s basketball team (the Huskies) begins the 2010-11 campaign today. In Williams, Rogers and Mackenzie Argens, the Huskies have three 6-foot-somethings who have shown signs of marked improvement since last season. Add in 6-1 freshman window cleaner Marjorie Heard, and UW has as much interior depth as it has had in years.
Miracle man who survived 39-story plunge is up and about like nothing happened: Every step, every breath - a miracle. A young man who jumped from the 39th floor of a Manhattan high-rise this summer and survived is at home, seemingly unscathed by his death-defying plunge. Thomas Magill, 22, answered the door of his parents' Staten Island home last week and gave a spirited verbal thumbs-up. "I'm doing good," Magill told the Daily News. Magill, an actor who starred in an off-Broadway production of "Into The Woods," sneaked into the West Side building where he once lived. Police said he walked out onto the balcony on Aug. 31 and jumped - only to have a parked red Dodge Charger break his fall. "It's a miracle," said one stunned neighbor who declined to give her name. "I asked his mom how Thomas was doing and she told me he was making a full recovery, that he would be fine."
Magill shattered much of his lower body when he crashed through the back window of the sports car. He was initially listed in critical condition at St. Luke's Hospital. During a series of surgeries, doctors inserted rods in his legs, rebuilt an ankle and stopped massive internal bleeding. The LaGuardia High School graduate walked with ease on Friday, briskly getting into a car at the family home. He declined to answer questions about his dramatic suicide bid. Magill isn't the city's only miracle man. Window washer Alcides Moreno survived a 43-story fall from an East Side building on Dec. 7, 2007. His wife told The News in September that he's walking and talking, but suffers serious mental problems. Featured here in a previous blog.
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