International
France’s Eiffel Tower remains closed in the wake of protests on Thursday.
“Due to a national strike on October 2, the Eiffel Tower is currently closed,” the front page of the landmark’s official website reads, “Visitors with e-tickets are invited to check their email. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Protests against austerity broke out in more than 200 French towns and cities including Paris this week, following a chain of similar events that started last month.
Activists carried signs calling for Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to drop the draft budget decisions proposed by his predecessor to protect citizens from social welfare freezes and austerity measures.
France’s unions urged the government to avoid spending cuts and instead increase taxes on the wealthy.
These protests come as the most recent in a series beginning September 10 with the “Block Everything,” campaign where streets were blocked with flaming barricades and tear gas.
“It’s true,” Sophie Binet, head of the CGR union, told ABC News on Thursday. “It’s the first time that there are three days of strikes and protests in a month without a government or budget. It shows the level of social anger.”
The French Interior Ministry said 85,000 protesters had gathered outside of Paris by midday.
National
National parks face increased risks of vandalism as the present government shutdown threatens to add pressure to already prevalent staff cuts.
At midnight on Wednesday, the United States government officially entered a shutdown as Congress failed to make an agreement on funding, leaving Republicans and Democrats deadlocked by disagreements over Obamacare subsidies.
According to AP News, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the shutdown will result in around 750,000 federal workers on furlough.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NCPA) started a campaign to shut down National Parks to ensure they remain protected even with diminished worker numbers. With potentially thousands of park staff unable to work, vandalism is a major concern.
The National Parks Service has already lost 24% of its permanent staff since January of this year.
NCPA claims parks will lose $1 million in fee revenues per day until the shut down is resolved.
The last 35-day shutdown took place in 2018 and left parks in disrepair, as there were not enough staff to watch over them. Parks were vandalized, cultural sites damaged, and trash and human waste overflowed.
“The federal government has shut down,” the front page of the NCPA website reads. “Unfortunately, our parks should too.”
NCPA urges citizens to petition congress to take measures preventing staff cuts and further damage to the parks.
Local
On Wednesday, Paycom announced back-office layoffs involving more than 500 Oklahoma workers in light of a “workforce reconstruction” spurred by advancements in AI automation technology.
According to Fox 25, Paycom is rolling out new automated core business systems, reducing the need to hire employees for some tasks.
No client-facing interactions will be affected by the shift.
“The updates impact only non-client-facing roles that have been automated,” a Paycom spokesperson said, “while client-facing roles remain focused on the high-touch, relational service for which Paycom is known.”
The layoffs are likely necessary and best for the business, Attorney General Drummond said in a statement given to Fox 25.
“Paycom is one of the most impressive companies in Oklahoma and I am extremely thankful for the investments it has made in our state throughout the years,” Drummond said. “As a businessman, I understand layoffs are an unfortunate part of running a successful enterprise. Paycom’s CEO is one of the best in the country and I trust him to always act in the best interests of Paycom employees and shareholders.”
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