| UK rules out negotiation, Tehran puts off release
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain ruled out negotiating with Iran over the release of 15 military personnel seized in the Gulf after Tehran put off freeing a female captive on Thursday because of London's "wrong behavior." In an escalating row which pushed oil prices sharply higher, the U.N. Security Council agreed a watered down statement expressing "grave concern" and calling "for an early resolution of this problem, including the release of the 15 personnel." Britain had wanted a tougher stance, but after hours of negotiations, Russia blocked a statement that would have demanded an immediate release of the British crew. Britain is also pushing for European Union members to join it in cutting back diplomatic relations with Tehran. The British government reacted angrily when Tehran distributed a second letter purportedly from the only female captive, Faye Turney, confessing to entering Iranian waters.
Tobacco Companies Fail To Make Full Payment To Vermont
April 19, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced that this week, for the second consecutive year, Vermont is receiving from the major domestic tobacco manufacturers about $3 million less than its entitlement under the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Of the three largest tobacco companies, only one, Philip Morris, made its required payment in full. The other two, Reynolds American and Lorillard, along with several smaller companies, collectively withheld from the states more than $700 million of the total $6.75 billion in annual payments owed to the states. Of the payments distributed this week, Vermont received about $24.8 million. “Vermont uses its annual MSA payments to fund important public health programs, and the tobacco companies have got to stop playing this game with our money," Sorrell said.
Lab workers, DHBs in mediation talks
The union representing medical laboratory scientists will go into mediation with district health boards on Tuesday in the hope of averting a strike. The lab workers are scheduled to walk off the job for 48 hours on Wednesday and 24 hours on 24 April over a contract dispute. The strike will disrupt medical labs in hospitals, at the Blood Service, and in some community labs in the South Island. Life preserving services will be in place, but dozens of elective surgeries will be cancelled. The Medical Laboratory Workers Union is seeking an improved pay scale, control over working hours, and to retain conditions for workers who are contracted out to private laboratories. It says DHBs are trying to exclude some workers from the collective agreement and force unnecessary shift changes.
BSC/ Sodexho set to start negotiation process
With the binding contract between Bridgewater State College and Sodexho set to expire in 2008, negotiations are set to begin sometime next semester.
"We will know more about this process in the fall," said Margarita Vieira, Director of Administration Support Services. "We would like to have a plan in place before the old plan expires."
The pervious contract was a 10-year contract that was renewed with Sodexho in 1998. Since the college has had a vender, it has always used Sodexho or another subsidiary of the same company. A committee will most likely be formed to take a look at whether there will be a new contract, whether the college will keep the same vendor, and what might need to change with the existing contract. If any contract is made in the near future it will most likely be a multi-year contract.
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