KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher, buoyed by Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decision to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 2.75 per cent, alongside positive cues from Wall Street. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 19.30 points, or 1.19 per cent, to 1,635.86 from Wednesday’s close of 1,616.56. The benchmark index opened 6.72 points higher at 1,623.28, and fluctuated between an intraday high of 1,642.44 and a low of 1,622.62 during the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with losers outnumbering gainers 723 to 497, while 466 counters were unchanged, 1,075 untraded and 10 suspended. Turnover rose to 3.74 billion units valued at RM3.61 billion compared with yesterday’s 2.81 billion units valued at RM2.57 billion.
Starbucks baristas represented by the Workers United union began a five-day strike in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle on Friday, citing unresolved disputes over wages, staffing, and schedules. The action involves over 10,000 workers and comes amidst rising labor activism in the service industry. Key Issues and Background Labor Actions Surge: This strike follows a year of significant labor movements, with industries like automotive, aerospace, and rail seeing notable concessions won by workers. In 2023, there were 33 work stoppages , the highest since 2000. Negotiations Stalled: Talks between Starbucks and Workers United began in April , but the union claims the company has yet to propose a serious economic offer with just two weeks left before the year-end contract deadline. Starbucks insists it has reached agreements on over 30 topics in nine bargaining sessions. Union Demands: The union is pushing fo...