On Monday morning President Obama announced US sanctions against Russia. How will these sanctions impact the situation in Ukraine? Has tech killed the 40 hour work week? Later, should parents be able to opt out of LAUSD's expanded "Breakfast in Classroom" program?
Crimea referendum says Yes to Russia union
The Crimean Parliament is moving quickly to split from Ukraine after voters in the region overwhelmingly voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Officials say that nearly 97% of Crimean voters sided with Russia on the referendum that would split Crimea from Ukraine.
The Parliament in Crimea has formally asked Russia to annex the republic and is moving to sever ties with Ukranian authorities in Kiev. International criticism over the referendum has been an underlying concern throughout the process.
In a U.S. sponsored U.N. resolution that would have invalidated the referendum, China abstained, leaving Russia as the only vetoing nation, “isolated,” according to U.N. Ambassadors from the U.S. and Britain.
While many Ukrainians are feeling dejected about the loss of Crimea, the Ukrainian government has spoken out strongly against the referendum, which it has declared illegal, and has said Ukraine is prepared to use military force. President Obama has authorized sanctions on Russian officials over the Crimea vote.
How will things proceed in Crimea? Will the escalation of tensions in the region instigate military action? What role does the U.S. play in Russia/Ukraine/Crimea negotiations?
Guest:
Will Pomeranz, Deputy Director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, a Washington, D.C. think tank focused on international affairs
Malaysian Airliner: Transponder disabled; pilots investigated; families demand answers
The mystery of missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 continues to baffle experts, the media and the world alike.
"All right. Good night," is the last communication received by air traffic controllers from MH370 at 1:19 a.m. on March 8. After that, according to authorities, the transponder of he plane was shut off and radar contact with the plane shortly after.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has said publicly that he suspects someone deliberately steered the plane off track. Authorities are currently investigating the flight crew and the homes of both pilots, Capt. Zaharie Ahmad Shah and 1st Officer Fariq Ab Hamid have been searched.
So far, the search has spanned 11 countries, vast oceans and includes the coordinated efforts of 26 nations.
What are the possible theories surrounding the plane's disappearance? What safety measures are in place to prevent losing contact with commercial jets? If the plane crashed into the ocean, how likely is it to be found?
Guest:
Capt. John M. Cox, A veteran major airline, corporate and general aviation pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems
Has tech killed the 40-hour work week?
Work emails can be sent at all hours and presentations can be prepared on laptops. With this increase in flexible work schedules, are we still tied to working a traditional 40-hour week?
Jacob Morgan, with Chess Media and author of "The Future of Work," says no.
"The future of work is very much moving toward a flexible work environment where employees not only have the ability to work from home, but also have the ability to customize their hours, the projects they work on, who they work with, and where they work from," Morgan said.
Flexible work days is becoming the "competitive advantage" for companies — even expected by some employees, Morgan said.
"The future of work isn't focusing on how many hours people work; it's about focusing on what it is they produce," Morgan said.
Americans now spend more hours working than those in Britain, Germany, France and Sweden. Moreover, the number of hours spent on free time hasn't increased in the United States since the Great Depression.
So what does this flexible schedule say about an employee's personal life? Anna Coote, head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation, says a flexible work schedule can make for a 24/7 workweek.
"The big question is who's got the power to decide how to be flexible. If the power is all with the employer and not with the employee, then the advantage is with the employer," Coote said.
Coote argues that part-time work should be the new full-time — and that less hours would actually make for a better economy.
"There are several ways in which a shorter work week is good for the economy. For starter, people who work shorter hours are more productive hour-for-hour. They make for a loyal, stable workforce, which is good for the balance sheet."
Coote added that people who work longer hours tend to be "heavy on the natural resources of the environment."
"A shorter working week is definitely good for society, good for our relationships with people, good for the things we really value in our lives, but it's also good for the economy and it's good for the environment," Coote said.
Critics of a shorter workweek say it would decrease how much individuals make, but Coote says "that is a problem of low pay, not low time."
"What we need to do is to be working to a better hourly rate of pay, rather than just say people need to work longer and longer hours," Coote said.
What do you think? Can working fewer hours make employees more productive?
Guest:
Jacob Morgan, co-founder of the managing consultancy, Chess Media Group, and author of the upcoming book ‘The Future of Work’ (Sept. 2014)
Anna Coote, head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation, a London-based think tank promoting social, economic and environmental justice.
For more on this AirTalk segment, click on the "Listen Now" icon to the left.
Nuran Alteir contributed to this Web post.
Should parents be able to opt out of LAUSD’s expanded 'Breakfast in Classroom' program?
Los Angeles Unified School District elementary and middle schools will begin serving breakfast in the classroom this April. So far, 500 schools already serve breakfasts, but a mandatory new program will require the rest of the district’s schools to introduce classroom breakfast -- no school can opt out.
Some parents and teachers are speaking out against the program, arguing that dedicating class time to meals and clean up distracts students. Other worry about allergies, dietary restrictions, and overeating, though LAUSD assures that no student will be forced to eat breakfast.
Many students qualify for free or reduced price meals, and LAUSD says attendance is up and tardiness is down in schools offering a breakfast in the classroom program.
Should LAUSD schools have mandatory classroom breakfast? What are the potential benefits or drawbacks to the new program? What’s the best way to make sure students eat before school?
Guests:
Warren Fletcher, President, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA)
Dr. William McCarthy, professor, UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health; McCarthy specializes in nutrition and has devoted most of his 30-year career to intervention studies designed to encourage members of special populations to adhere to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Jen Furmaniak, Parent of LAUSD student at Castle Heights elementary school
Orange County weighs color-coded restaurant inspection grading
Orange County—which has long used small, subtle orange decals to inform restaurant patrons how establishments fared on health inspections—is now considering a simpler, more noticeable color-coded system, the Los Angeles Times reports.
An Orange County grand jury recommended the stoplight-style color code in a report released earlier this month. County leaders have considered instituting a letter grade system, like the one in place in Los Angeles County, but cost concerns prevented the change.
Under the proposed color-coded system, a green sign would be used to designate a restaurant that passed inspection, a yellow sign would indicate the restaurant passed conditionally and is due for reinspection, and a red sign would mean the restaurant was closed due to major violations.
RELATED: Colorful restaurant health inspection signs a step closer in Orange County
The report argues that the color code would be cheaper to put in place than a letter grade system, as it better aligns with the County’s current inspection protocols.
Some critics of the color code are concerned it’s too out of step with neighboring L.A. County and other municipalities—and could confuse customers. The Orange County Board of Supervisors has about three months to officially respond to the report.
Do you pay attention to the health inspection placards in the windows of restaurants you visit? What system do you think is best? Would you prefer a stoplight color code system to letter grades? How would such a system impact businesses?
Guest:
Christine Bruhn, professor of food science and technology at UC Davis
Massage-parlors law leaves California cities feeling powerless over prostitution
Sacramento lawmakers are under pressure from municipalities complaining that a state law allows rampant growth of prostitution parlors masquerading as massage therapy. The 2008 law created a non-profit group - the California Massage Therapy Council - empowered to certify massage businesses.
Since then, individual cities have spent thousands of dollars policing illicit parlors. Earlier this month, South Pasadena's City Council voted to reject the state law and place a moratorium on new massage businesses, as reported by the Pasadena Star-News.
How can sex trafficking be prevented without stifling the growth of the massage-therapy industry?
Guests:
Marina Khubesrian, South Pasadena Mayor
Ahmos Netanel, CEO, California Massage Therapy Council