>>Starbucks CEO: Union Efforts Sign Of Bigger Issue

(Seattle, WA)  --  Starbucks' CEO is doubling down on his opposition to workers trying to unionize.  Howard Schultz told CNN union efforts are a sign of "a much bigger problem" for his workers  --  adding the unionization trend shows younger workers are having issues in the labor market.  In an open letter to his employees in November, he said he was "saddened" they feel a need for representatives to seek benefits for them, adding those are things all employees have at Starbucks.  They're asking for set schedules and benefits for part-time workers. 

 

>>BofA: Meta Verified Subscription Service Could Pull In 12M Subscribers By 2024

(Charlotte, NC)  --  Meta's new Verified subscription service could pull in close to 12-million subscribers this year.  Bank of America research says with the service catered toward influencers and businesses, it could be a good option to help increase engagement and visibility.  The service will start at about 12-dollars per month and could generate one-point-seven billion dollars in revenue in 2024.  It's currently being tested in Australia and New Zealand.

 

>>Verdict Goes To Plaintiffs

(Houston, TX)  --  ExxonMobil must pay nearly 29-million dollars to the families of five workers who were hurt in an explosion at one of their Texas plants.  The 2019 blast destroyed a tower at the facility in Baytown, east of Houston, making it one of the largest industrial accidents ever seen on the Texas gulf coast.  At trial, it was shown to jurors that there was a build-up of industrial byproduct in one of the pipes, which caused it to rupture

 

>>Home Depot Implementing Wage Hikes

(Atlanta, GA)  --  Workers at Home Depot are getting a raise.  The company has announced a one-billion-dollar investment in raising wages.  However, the new average wage wasn't revealed.  Hourly workers will see more money this month.