Labor Relations
What's Next For Unions?
March 25, 2013 7:46 am | by Sharon Cohen, AP National Writer | News | CommentsOn Thursday, Michigan's right-to-work law takes effect, a stunning shift in this symbolic capital of organized labor. The historic change is just the latest sign of turmoil in the union movement that has seen its nationwide membership shrink to its lowest levels since at least the 1930s.
Opel Employees Reject Redevelopment Plan
March 21, 2013 8:59 pm | News | CommentsEmployees at GM's Opel plant in Bochum have rejected a redevelopment plan, which means production there could end by late 2014. German news agency dpa said 76.1 percent of the Bochum plant rejected a redevelopment plan, which implied that after the year 2016 there would have been only 1,200 jobs left. About 3,200 persons now work at the unit in Bochum.
Mining, Energy Sectors Face Workforce Shortage
March 21, 2013 11:22 am | by Vicki Smith, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe report released Thursday by the National Research Council urges new partnerships to tackle the problem of retiring Baby Boomers who cannot readily be replaced. That includes a retooling of higher education to produce more young people competent in science, technology, engineering and math.
Average For U.S. Jobless Claims At Fresh 5-Year Low
March 21, 2013 10:01 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid barely changed last week, while the average over the past month fell to a fresh five-year low. The decline in layoffs is helping strengthen the job market. Weekly unemployment benefit applications rose just 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 336,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Coca-Cola To Cut 750 Jobs
March 21, 2013 9:56 am | News | CommentsThe world's biggest beverage maker says the jobs cuts will be across the board and that affected individuals will be notified in coming weeks. The cuts represent roughly 1 percent of the company's workforce of 75,000 in North America. A spokesman says about a quarter of the cuts will be in Atlanta, where the company is based.
AstraZeneca To Cut 2,300 Jobs
March 21, 2013 7:54 am | News | CommentsStruggling drug company AstraZeneca PLC says it will cut some 2,300 jobs worldwide as part of a restructuring plan. The company said Thursday the cuts are in addition to a previously announced program cutting 1,600 positions related to research and development announced March 18 and the elimination of 1,150 positions announced last year.
Fed Projects High Unemployment Into 2015
March 20, 2013 2:23 pm | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsThe Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy has strengthened after pausing late last year but still needs the Fed's extraordinary support to help lower high unemployment.In a statement after a two-day meeting, the Fed stood by its plan to keep short-term interest rates at record lows at least until unemployment falls to 6.5 percent, as long as the inflation outlook remains mild.
Survey: Low-wage Workers Gloomy About Future
March 20, 2013 1:41 pm | by Jennifer Agiesta and Tom Raum, Associated Press | News | CommentsWhile lower-wage American workers have accounted for the lion's share of the jobs created since the 2007-2009 Great Recession, a new survey shows that they are also among the most pessimistic about their future career prospects, their job security and their finances.
Pink Slips Going Out At Hanford Nuclear Site
March 19, 2013 9:34 am | by Shannon Dininny, Associated Press | News | CommentsPink slips went out Monday to nearly 250 workers and more than 2,500 others were notified that they face furloughs of several weeks at the nation's most contaminated nuclear site, where cleanup is likely to be slowed because of automatic federal budget cuts.
Obama Nominates Justice Official To Top Labor Slot
March 19, 2013 9:29 am | by Jim Kuhnhenn and Sam Hananel, Associated Press | News | CommentsPresident Barack Obama gave a glowing rollout Monday to Thomas Perez, his choice to lead the Labor Department after an aggressive stint as the nation's chief civil rights enforcer. But the nomination quickly ran into trouble as a Republican senator declared he would block the nomination until GOP concerns about Perez's Justice Department tenure are addressed.
Boeing Tech Workers Taking Re-Vote On Contract
March 18, 2013 1:19 pm | News | CommentsThe union for 7,400 Boeing technical workers counts ballots Monday night in the re-vote on a contract that would replace pensions with a 401(k) retirement plan. The technical unit split with engineers represented by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace in the Feb. 19 vote.
AstraZeneca To Cut 1,600 Jobs In U.S., UK
March 18, 2013 11:06 am | by Linda A. Johnson, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBritish drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC is eliminating 1,600 jobs, mostly in the U.S. and United Kingdom, under a global restructuring meant to reduce costs and make research programs more productive. The cuts amount to nearly 3 percent of AstraZeneca's 57,200 workers around the world.
Jobless Rates Rise In January In Half Of U.S. States
March 18, 2013 11:04 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsUnemployment rates increased in half of U.S. states in January from December, as employers nationwide added the fewest jobs in seven months. The Labor Department says unemployment rates increased in 25 states. They fell in only 8 states and were unchanged in 17.
Business, Labor Still At Odds On Temporary Workers
March 15, 2013 2:32 pm | by Erica Werner, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Chamber of Commerce's lead immigration negotiator says he's hoping for a deal with the AFL-CIO on a new temporary worker program, but the sides are still apart on important details. On Capitol Hill, senators working toward agreement on an immigration bill, and the temporary worker program would be an important part.
France Considers Amnesty For Ransacking Strikers
March 15, 2013 2:20 pm | by Sarah DiLorenzo, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsTensions — and even confrontation — between unions and management have long been the norm in France. Strikes and protests have periodically paralyzed the country. The country saw a raft of "boss-nappings" in 2009 as companies tried to lay off staff during the first wave of the financial crisis.
Bridgestone Workers Protest Against Plant Closure In Italy
March 15, 2013 12:08 pm | News | CommentsIn the demonstration lasting about two hours, the employees called for continued operation of the passenger car tire-making factory, which Bridgestone Corp. said earlier this month will close in the first half of 2014 due to deterioration of the facility's profitability and changing market conditions.
Weekly U.S. Jobless Aid Applications Fall To 332,000
March 14, 2013 8:48 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsFewer Americans sought unemployment aid last week, reducing the average number of weekly applications last month to a five-year low. The drop shows that fewer layoffs are strengthening the job market. The Labor Department said Thursday that applications fell 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 332,000.
Small Businesses Find Ways To Beat Skills Shortage
March 14, 2013 8:18 am | by Joyce M. Rosenberg, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsCompanies across the country have been working short-handed because it's hard to find workers with the skills they need. The shortage is harder for small businesses than it is for larger ones. They don't have as many employees to step in to when there's an opening.
CEOs Optimistic About Economy, Wary Of Hiring
March 13, 2013 10:54 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsChief executives at the largest U.S. companies are much more optimistic about their sales prospects than they were three months ago, though many remain cautious about hiring. The Business Roundtable said Wednesday that 72 percent of its members expect sales will increase in the next six months.
Renault, Unions Reach Deal To Cut Costs, Jobs
March 13, 2013 10:15 am | by Sarah DiLorenzo, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsFrench carmaker Renault SA reached a potentially groundbreaking deal with leading unions Wednesday that allows it to reduce its workforce and cut costs in exchange for keeping jobs and production in France. Renault and other European carmakers have been struggling to stay competitive globally as Europe's car market flails.
Hypertherm Opens N.H. Advanced Manufacturing Plant, Adds 500 Jobs
March 12, 2013 3:09 pm | News | Comments“I want more New Hampshire businesses to have the kind of success that Hypertherm has had in entering new markets in order to make New Hampshire a leader in selling our services and goods around the world,” New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan said.
Employers Post More Jobs, Cut Fewer Workers
March 12, 2013 10:38 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsU.S. employers advertised more job openings in January, suggesting that hiring will remain healthy in the coming months. The Labor Department says job openings rose 2.2 percent in January from December to 3.69 million. Openings had fallen nearly 5 percent in December.
IEPA Seeks Order Against Spray Paint Manufacturer
March 10, 2013 5:01 am | News | CommentsThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency wants to stop a northern Illinois business from restarting operations following explosions and a fire that injured workers. IEPA Director John Kim has asked the Illinois Attorney General's Office to seek a court order preventing FVMS Inc. in Cary from reopening.
Baxter To Lay Off 400 Workers In Puerto Rico
March 9, 2013 1:05 pm | News | CommentsThe executive director of the island's Industrial Development Company says the layoffs will be gradual and that the agency will help find jobs for displaced workers. Antonio Medina said Friday that Baxter invested more than $2.5 million last year in a production line.
NAM: February Employment Report Stronger Than Expected
March 8, 2013 10:22 am | by Chad Moutray, Chief Economist, National Association of Manufacturers | News | CommentsManufacturers added 14,000 additional workers in February according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is roughly equal to the average monthly gain of 13,000 experienced in 2012, with the first half of the year clearly being stronger than the later months. Even with this progress, we can’t help but hope to see better numbers with the manufacturing sector.
