Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres

February 28, 2022
Ottawa, Ontario

Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, about the situation in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Trudeau strongly condemned the large-scale military aggression by Russia against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The Prime Minister expressed his profound concern for Ukraine and its people.

The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General agreed on the historic and enduring importance of the UN Charter, international law, and ongoing dialogue to advance peace.

The leaders expressed deep concern for the terrible human cost of war, and for the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General resolved to keep in close touch on this and other important global issues in days ahead.

Associated links

• Canada and the United Nations
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland speak with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shymal
• Statement by NATO Heads of State and Government on Russia’s Attack on Ukraine
• Canada announces additional measures to support Ukraine
• Canada’s response to the crisis in Ukraine

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION latest news

 

Press material Monday 28 February 2022   ● Council of the EU   28/02/2022 18:19 | Press release | Presidency press release - Conference on the Future of Europe: final set of European Citizens’ Panel recommendations   The final meeting of the Panel on ‘A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation’ took place in Dublin over the weekend. The last remaining set of recommendations from the four European Citizens’ Panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe were delivered on Sunday. The Panel on ‘A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / Education, culture, youth and sport / Digital transformation’ held its third and final meeting at Dublin Castle on 25-27 February, hosted by the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA). There, around 200 European citizens adopted 48 recommendations, building on their previous work done in Strasbourg in September and online in November, across five work streams: Working in Europe, An Economy for the Future, A Just Society, Learning in Europe, and An Ethical and Safe Digital Transformation. The participants also expressed their solidarity with the citizens of Ukraine on several occasions through their interventions at the weekend and during the ‘family photo’. Watch recordings of the Panel’s plenary meetings from Friday and Sunday. Next steps Eighty Panel representatives (20 from each of the four Panels, of which at least one-third is aged between 16 and 25 years) have been tasked with representing the Panels at the Conference Plenary, where the Conference’s final proposals will be shaped. All four Panels have now finalised their recommendations. The three preceding ones were: on European democracy, values and rights, rule of law and security; on climate change, environment and health; and on EU in the world / Migration. The first two sets were debated at the Conference Plenary of 21-22 January, whereas the other two are expected to be debated in Strasbourg on 11-12 March. The Plenary’s final proposals will be presented to the Executive Board of the Conference in the spring.

General Secretariat of the Council:Think Tank Review - February 2022

 

Library blog Monday 28 February 2022

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank Review - February 2022   European democracy, the challenges to energy security in the EU, the fight against climate change, including transition to clean energy, the effectiveness of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, reforms to the EU’s migration policy and the European security and defence context are amongst the many topics covered in the February edition of the Think Tank Review. Readers should note that the articles included are those published in January 2022 and therefore do not take into account current political developments.

Think Tank Review - February 2022

• 28 February 2022
 
• Think Tank Review
 
• gsclibrary

 

European democracy, the challenges to energy security in the EU, the fight against climate change, including transition to clean energy, the effectiveness  of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, reforms to the EU’s migration policy and the European security and defence context are amongst the many topics covered in the February edition of the Think Tank Review. Readers should note that the articles included are those published in January 2022 and therefore do not take into account current political developments.

• Think Tank Review - February 2022

EU politics and institutions

• The rotating presidency of the Council of the EU after Lisbon, and the 2022 French presidency of the Council
• Who are the populists and how to respond to them
• European Democracy Support Annual Review 2021
• Parliaments in emergency mode: Lessons learnt after two years of pandemic

Transport / Telecommunications / Energy

• (E)U-turn from Nord Stream 2 towards a European Strategic Gas Reserve
• What does the gas crisis reveal about European energy security?
• Europe’s energy crisis conundrum and Energy security during the energy transition
• Mapping out a way through the taxonomy crisis
• Decarbonisation of the energy system
• Seguridad energética en el tránsito hacia unas energías limpias 

Economic and financial affairs

• Returning to a “new normal”: revising the EU fiscal rulebook and governance
• The Recovery and Resilience Facility
• Braucht die EU neue Eigenmittel? (EU’s new own resources)
• Global value chains of the EU member states
• How to unlock the European investment bank’s potential: four reforms 

Employment / Social Policy / Health and Consumer Affairs

• An inclusive Social Climate Fund for the just transition
• Ce que l’épidémie de COVID-19 va changer pour l’Europe et pour les Européens
• Effect of COVID certificates on vaccine uptake, public health, and the economy
• Measuring poverty persistence
• Migrant key workers and social cohesion in Europe
• Reshaping the Work–Life Balance Directive with Covid‑19 lessons in mind

Environment 

• Un plan de bataille pour le climat qui soit socialement désirable
• Revamping EU blue governance
• Nature-based solutions and global climate protection
• Taking the temperature of the European green deal

Justice and Home affairs

• Coming together or coming apart? A new phase of international cooperation on migration
• Lessons from the European negotiations of the global compact for migration
• Putting migrant reintegration programs to the test
• L’asile et l’immigration : les enjeux de la présidence française de l’Union européenne
• The transatlantic perspective on migration
• Engaging with human rights defenders to address the rollback of the rule of law in the EU

Foreign affairs

• Las últimas propuestas de Rusia para cambiar el orden de seguridad europeo creado después de la Guerra Fría
• The drivers of European armaments collaboration
• Uncharted and uncomfortable in European defence : The EU’s mutual assistance clause
• The European army project: the answer to the Union’s strategic shrinkage ?
• Strategic Compass: Towards EU space strategy for Security and Defence
• Strategic autonomy: not without integration
• Scenarios for EU-NATO cooperation

 

National Labor Relations Board,update

 

Summary of NLRB Decisions for Week of February 14 - 18, 2022

The Summary of NLRB Decisions is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the opinions of the NLRB.  Inquiries should be directed to the Office of the Executive Secretary at 202‑273‑1940.

Summarized Board Decisions

Michigan Bell Telephone Company, and AT&T Services, Inc., Joint Employers  (07-CA-161545, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 63)  Howell, MI, February 14, 2022.

The Board reversed the Administrative Law Judge’s conclusion that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(3) and (1) by disciplining and discharging a Union representative.

Charges filed by Local 4034, Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO.  Administrative Law Judge Ira Sandron issued his supplemental decision on December 8, 2020.  Chairman McFerran and Members Ring and Kaplan participated.

***

KMS Commercial Painting, LLC  (14-RC-281302; 371 NLRB No. 69)  Omaha, NE, February 16, 2022.

The Board denied the Employer’s Request for Review as it raised no substantial issues warranting review.  The Board agreed that Dredge Operators, Inc., 306 NLRB 924 (1992), applied and rendered the challenged voters to be eligible to vote because they were in the unit on the date that they cast their ballots in the mail-ballot election.  In concurrence, Member Ring acknowledged Dredge Operators applies here but expressed a willingness to reconsider the eligibility standards set forth in that case and mail-ballot procedures more generally.

Petitioner—International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, Local Union No. 109, District Council No. 81.  Chairman McFerran and Members Ring and Prouty participated.  

***

Alaris Health at Rochelle Park  (22-CA-124968, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 66)  Rochelle Park, NJ, February 16, 2022.

In this compliance proceeding, the Board granted in part and denied in part the General Counsel’s Motion for Partial Summary judgment as to those paragraphs of the compliance specification where the Respondent admitted or gave inadequate answers.  However, the Board found that the Respondent’s general denials with respect to the General Counsel’s allegations regarding interim earnings were adequate.  The Board therefore denied summary judgment on allegations in the compliance specification that are dependent on interim earnings and/or calculate backpay amounts owed without consideration of any potential interim earnings.  Further, the Board granted in part the General Counsel’s motion to strike certain answers on the basis that the Respondent was attempting to raise matters that had been decided in the underlying unfair labor practice proceeding.  The Board remanded the case for a hearing limited to the paragraphs of the compliance specification as to which the motion was not granted.

Charges filed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated.

***

Alaris Health at Harborview  (22-CA-125023, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 68)  Jersey City, NJ, February 16, 2022.   

In this compliance proceeding, the Board granted in part and denied in part the General Counsel’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to those paragraphs of the compliance specification where the Respondent admitted or gave inadequate answers.  However, the Board found that the Respondent’s general denials with respect to the General Counsel’s allegations regarding interim earnings were adequate.  The Board therefore denied summary judgment on allegations in the compliance specification that are dependent on interim earnings and/or calculate backpay amounts owed without consideration of any potential interim earnings.  Further, the Board granted in part the General Counsel’s motion to strike certain answers on the basis that the Respondent was attempting to raise matters that had been decided in the underlying unfair labor practice proceeding.  The Board remanded the case for a hearing limited to the paragraphs of the compliance specification as to which the motion was not granted.

Charges filed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated.

***

Alaris Health at Castle Hill  (22-CA-125034, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 65)  Union City, NJ, February 16, 2022.

In the compliance proceeding, the Board granted in part and denied in part the General Counsel’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to those paragraphs of the compliance specification where the Respondent admitted or gave inadequate answers.  However, the Board found that the Respondent’s general denials with respect to the General Counsel’s allegations regarding interim earnings were adequate.  The Board therefore denied summary judgment on allegations in the compliance specification that are dependent on interim earnings and/or calculate backpay amounts owed without consideration of any potential interim earnings.  Further, the Board granted in part the General Counsel’s motion to strike certain answers on the basis that the Respondent was attempting to raise matters that had been decided in the underlying unfair labor practice proceeding.  The Board remanded the case for a hearing limited to the paragraphs of the compliance specification as to which the motion was not granted.

Charges filed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated.

***

Alaris Health at Boulevard East  (22-CA-125076, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 62)  Guttenberg, NJ, February 16, 2022.

In this compliance specification, the Board granted in part and denied in part the General Counsel’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to those paragraphs of the compliance specification where the Respondent admitted or gave inadequate answers.  However, the Board found that the Respondent’s general denials with respect to the General Counsel’s allegations regarding interim earnings were adequate.  The Board therefore denied summary judgment on allegations in the compliance specification that are dependent on interim earnings and/or calculate backpay amounts owed without consideration of any potential interim earnings.  Further, the Board granted in part the General Counsel’s motion to strike certain answers on the basis that the Respondent was attempting to raise matters that had been decided in the underlying unfair labor practice proceeding.  The Board remanded the case for a hearing limited to  the paragraphs of the compliance specification as to which the motion was not granted.

Charges filed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated.

***

ADT, LLC  (18-CA264654, et al.; 371 NLRB No. 67)  Janesville, WI, February 17, 2022.

The Board adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s conclusions that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by withdrawing recognition from the Union as the collective-bargaining representative of unit employees who worked in the service territory of its former Rockford, Illinois office, and by then unilaterally changing the Rockford unit employees’ terms and conditions of employment.  In so ruling, the Board affirmed the judge’s conclusion that the Rockford unit remained a separate unit following the transfer of its employees to a new office in Janesville, Wisconsin.  Further, the Board also affirmed the judge’s conclusion that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) by interrogating a unit employee about his union support and by threatening him with loss of bonus pay if the Union was restored to its representative role.  Finally, the Board ordered a broad cease-and-desist order, a notice-reading order, and an affirmative bargaining order.

Charges filed by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 364.  Administrative Law Judge Michael A. Rosas issued his decision on March 29, 2021.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated in the decision.

***

Unpublished Board Decisions in Representation and Unfair Labor Practice Cases

R Cases

ArrMaz Products Inc.  (12-RC-255997)  Mulberry, FL, February 17, 2022.  The Board denied the Employer’s Request for Review of the Regional Director's Decision on Challenged Ballots and Certification of Representative as it raised no substantial issues warranting review.  In doing so, the Board relied solely on the Regional Director’s finding that the stipulated election agreement expressed the parties’ intent in clear and unambiguous terms to exclude the two challenged employees.  The Board also agreed, in part, with the Petitioner’s contention that, under Section 102.67(e) of the Board’s Rules and Regulations, the Employer’s Request for Review did not comply with the requirement that that a request for review be a self-contained document.  Petitioner—International Chemical Workers Union Council of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, AFL-CIO.  Chairman McFerran and Members Kaplan and Ring participated.

C Cases

Michell Enterprises, LLC d/b/a McDonald’s  (01-CA-261495)  Darien, CT, February 14, 2022.  No exceptions having been filed to the December 30, 2021 decision of Administrative Law Judge Donna Dawson’s finding that the Respondent had engaged in certain unfair labor practices, the Board adopted the judge’s findings and conclusions, and ordered the Respondent to take the action set forth in the judge’s recommended Order.  Charge filed by Service Employees International union, Local 32BJ.

***

Appellate Court Decisions

No Appellate Court Decisions involving Board Decisions to report.

***

Administrative Law Judge Decisions

Atlantic Veal and Lamb, LLC  (29-CA-272677; JD(NY)-03-22)  Brooklyn, NY.  Administrative Law Judge Lauren Esposito issued her decision on February 15, 2022.  Charge filed by United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 342.

Johns Manville Corporation  (08-CA-270764; JD-11-22)  Waterville and Maumee, OH.  Administrative Law Judge Christine E. Dibble issued her decision on February 15, 2022.  Charge filed by International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 20.

United Scrap Metal PA, LLC  (04-CA-268183, et al.; JD-12-22)  Philadelphia, PA.  Administrative Law Judge Robert A. Ringler issued his decision on February 16, 2022.  Charges filed by Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local 57.

DRUGNET EUROPE:Issue 150: February 2022

 

Drugnet Europe is a monthly news round-up published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Any item may be reproduced provided the source is acknowledged.

Issue 150: February 2022 EUROBAROMETER European citizens concerned about impact of drugs on communities On 1 February, the European Commission published the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on the impact of drugs on communities in the EU. A total of 25 713 Europeans (aged 15 and over) were surveyed across 27 EU countries between 30 June and 10 July 2021. The survey shows that over half (54%) of respondents think that drug use or dealing is a serious problem in their local area, with over a third (35%) of them perceiving an increase of drug-related problems in their local area over the past few years. Among respondents' biggest concerns are the availability and use of drugs among children and teenagers. Both were mentioned by 67% of respondents who think drugs are a problem in their local area. Read more >> | Survey >>  EUROPEAN RESPONSES GUIDE Spotlight on drug consumption rooms Drug consumption rooms (DCRs) are the focus of the latest EMCDDA Spotlight published in the European Responses Guide package. As frontline, low-threshold services, DCRs are often among the first to gain insights into new drug use patterns and can play a role in the early identification of new and emerging trends among high-risk populations using their services. Their primary goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality by providing a safer environment for drug use and by training clients in safer forms of drug use. They can also be a conduit to other services, such as counselling and primary medical care. EMCDDA Spotlights are designed to shine a light on hot topics in the drugs field from the perspective of health and social responses.   Read more >>  New paper on drugs and homelessness 'European responses to the needs of people who experience homelessness and use drugs' is the title of a paper commissioned by the EMCDDA to inform the European Responses Guide. The paper explores the evidence base in this area and considers key lessons for developing effective homelessness services in Europe.  Read more >>  DRUG MARKETS Digitally enabled drug markets: signs of diversification Digital technology facilitates the sale of drugs today and is now a key driver of developments in the drug markets. A recent EMCDDA paper points to a diversification in digitally-enabled drug markets, with dealers spreading their activities across multiple platforms, including darknet markets, social media, instant messaging apps and legitimate e-commerce websites. Recent evidence suggests that, while darknet markets may have diminished in importance during COVID-19, social media channels appear to be gaining in prominence. This calls for the development of better tools to monitor drug sales that are facilitated by social media applications and for engagement with industry to develop appropriate responses in this area. Read more >>  LEARNING Webinar: Women and drugs in Europe  ‘Women and drugs in Europe — why gender matters?’ will be the topic of the first EMCDDA webinar of 2022. Taking place on 30 March, the webinar will explore recent patterns and trends in drug use among women in Europe and the role played by gender in influencing women’s consumption behaviours across settings. Read more >>  | Registration >> European Drugs Summer School 2022 Have you registered for this year's European Drugs Summer School? The event, to take place in Lisbon from 27 June–8 July, will focus on 'Community-based interventions for drug-related issues'. The course will include daily in-person lectures, group exercises and field visits.   Read more >> | Deadline: 28 February 2022 (Early bird) | 5 June 2022 (Final).  ADDICTIONS Don't miss the Early-bird deadline! A quick reminder that the Early-bird registration fee of EUR 450 for #LxAddictions22 will be available only until the end of March!  Read more >> | Deadline: 31 March 2022 Special registration fee for PhD students re-opens on 1 March We are delighted to announce that on 1 March we will be reopening the special registration fee of EUR 250 for PhD students at #LxAddictions22. Don’t miss the chance to hear the latest from leading international experts in the addiction science field.  Read more >> | Deadline: 31 March 2022 Inter-GLAM call for videos Inter-GLAM is an EU-funded project which aims to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to explore global perspectives and trends that shape drug markets and addictions. As one of the co-producers of #LxAddictions22, Inter-GLAM is organising a video contest for audiovisual pieces related to the topics of the conference. A selection of videos competing for the prizes will be shown during the conference at the Inter-GLAM Cinema. Enter now! Read more >> PRISONS European questionnaire now available in six languages The EMCDDA's European Questionnaire on Drug Use among People living in prison (EQDP) is now available in six languages: German, English, French, Croatian, Portuguese and Slovenian. The overall aim of this resource is to help harmonise data collection on drugs and prison in Europe, strengthen drug monitoring in this area and support European countries in their responses to current and future challenges. The questionnaire is the fruit of several years of work in this field, including agreement on a methodological monitoring framework, analysis of existing questionnaires and discussion among high-level European and international experts. Questionnaire (long version) >> | Short version >> | Methodological guidelines >>  EMCDDA4GEORGIA European Prevention Curriculum to be adapted to the Georgian context Work began this month on translating the EMCDDA’s European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) into Georgian and adapting it to the Georgian context. The activity is being run under the EMCDDA4Georgia bilateral technical cooperation project (EMCDDA4GE), which aims to enhance national responses to drug-related health and security threats. The EUPC initiative, launched in 2019, aims to advance the professionalism of the substance use prevention workforce in Europe. Read more >>  New general population survey launched February saw the launch of a new general population survey (GPS) in Georgia, under the EMCDDA4Georgia project (EMCDDA4GE). The GPS will be implemented by Alternative Georgia, under the supervision of the Georgian National Drug Observatory and the EMCDDA. The final results are expected in February 2023. Read more >>  Related links  News | Events | Publications