Labor & Economic News Blog
Compiled by Janice Kimball and the staff of the IRLE Library
Monday, June 29, 2009
GM plans to quit Nummi plant
GM plans to quit Nummi plant
General Motors plans to quit a joint venture with Toyota to make cars at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, ...
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 9:45 AM 0 comments
Friday, June 05, 2009
Jobs Picture, June 5, 2009
Jobs Picture, June 5, 2009
The unemployment rate increased from 8.9% to 9.4% in May, as the Household Survey showed that over three-quarters of a million workers were added to the jobless rolls, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. May marked the 17th straight month of job loss; the current recession is now officially the longest economic downturn since the Great Depression.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 1:22 PM 1 comments
SEIU, San Francisco city pact will limit layoffs
SEIU, San Francisco city pact will limit layoffs
San Francisco's largest union has overwhelmingly approved a package of contract concessions, giving City Hall some wiggle room as it works to bridge a major budget deficit.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 1:19 PM 0 comments
Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers
Current Employment Statistics Latest Numbers
By U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Change in Payroll Employment:-345,000(p) in May 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Hourly Earnings:+$0.02(p) in May 2009Historical Data
Change in Average Weekly Hours:-0.1(p) in May 2009Historical Data
Change in Manufacturing Average Weekly Hours:-0.2(p) in May 2009Historical Data
Change in Aggregate Hours Index:-0.7(p) in May 2009Historical Data
Change in Real Earnings:+$0.01(p) in Apr 2009Historical Data
p- preliminary
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 8:34 AM 0 comments
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Limiting the Tax Exclusion for Employer-Sponsored Insurance Can Help Pay for Health Reform
Limiting the Tax Exclusion for Employer-Sponsored Insurance Can Help Pay for Health Reform
Limiting the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance could provide significant revenues for health reform without eroding employer-sponsored insurance or causing other undesirable side effects — if the cap and the rest of the health reform legislation are well designed.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 9:32 AM 0 comments
Justice Dept. looks at high-tech firms' hiring
Justice Dept. looks at high-tech firms' hiring
Justice Department investigators are examining the hiring practices of major technology companies including Yahoo, Google and Genentech to see whether they violate antitrust laws, according to people familiar with the...
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 8:37 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
In Hollywood, Too Many Extras
In Hollywood, Too Many Extras
NPR audio:
For many in Hollywood, being an extra has always been a good way to make a little extra cash — some even make a living out of it. But unemployed locals have taken notice, and lines at Hollywood agencies that cast extras are longer than ever.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 8:20 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The worst downturn since the Great Depression
The worst downturn since the Great Depression
This recession has become the longest and deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression. On June 5, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its May employment report, detailing how the labor market fared during the 17th month of the recession.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 1:20 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 29, 2009
EVENT: How Do We Close California's Education Gap?
EVENT: How Do We Close California's Education Gap?
June 3, 2009
7:30 p.m.
National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
111 N. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
Forty years ago, California´s higher education system was the envy of the nation, and the state ranked high among other states for its share of young adults who held a bachelor´s degree. But that proportion has declined sharply in the decades since. As for the future, new research by the Public Policy Institute of California indicates that by 2025, the state will fall nearly one million college graduates short of the number it needs to sustain its economy. There are additional pressures on the system as well, including demographic changes caused by baby boomer retirements and an increased number of immigrants in the population.
In this context, California needs to rethink and possibly adapt its long-heralded higher education vision. What prompted California´s fall from higher education excellence, and how can it be reversed? A panel of experts as well as higher education, community, and business leaders will discuss the future of higher learning in California.
This event is co-sponsored with Zócalo Public Square and is free of charge.
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
Moderator: Jim Newton, Editorial Pages Editor, Los Angeles Times
Camille Esch, California Education Program Director, New America Foundation
Hans Johnson, Associate Director of Research, PPIC
Michele Siqueiros, Executive Director, Campaign for College Opportunity
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 11:31 AM 0 comments
EVENT: Educating California: Preparing Our Future Workforce
EVENT: Educating California: Preparing Our Future Workforce
June 18, 2009
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 10:00 a.m.)
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street, Rooms 202/203
Sacramento, CA
By 2025, 41 percent of the jobs in California will require a bachelor's degree - but only 35 percent of California adults will have one. This "skills gap" poses a serious threat to the state's economic future and to the quality of life of its residents. Closing the gap will require serious and sustained effort, even as the state navigates perilous economic and fiscal challenges. Bringing together leaders from education, government, business, and the nonprofit sector, this forum will explore ways to help state residents succeed in California's increasingly high‐skilled economy.
This event is co-sponsored by PPIC, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the California Research Bureau.
Lunch will be provided and there is no charge to attend. Registration by June 15 is requested.
PARTICIPANTS
Senator Gloria Romero
Assemblymember Michael Duvall
Roberta Achtenberg, Trustee, California State University
Mark Baldassare, President and CEO, PPIC
Kathryn Baron, Journalism and Policy Fellow, Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Race and Diversity
Hans Johnson, Associate Director of Research, PPIC
Loren Kaye, President, California Foundation for Commerce and Education
Jack Scott, Chancellor, California Community Colleges
Marshall (Mike) Smith, Senior Counselor, United States Department of Education
Mark Yudof, President, University of California
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 11:29 AM 0 comments
In a restructured GM, no new role for UAW
In a restructured GM, no new role for UAW
Workers at the Fairfax assembly plant this week approved concessions. Among the plant's production is the Chevrolet Malibu. ...
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 10:33 AM 0 comments
Key Players in the Overhaul of General Motors: UAW President Ron Gettelfinger...
Key Players in the Overhaul of General Motors: UAW President Ron Gettelfinger ...
Even as a lame-duck president, United Auto Workers union leader Ron Gettelfinger is showing surprising strength amid the greatest-ever ...
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 10:32 AM 0 comments
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Economic Development: The Local Perspective
Economic Development: The Local Perspective
Since Proposition 13 in 1978 restricted property tax income, California's local governments have increased their economic development activities, especially in the areas of land development and retail sales. Such measures have provoked criticism, but local officials say they have few alternatives. This paper presents a detailed survey of local economic development efforts, including policies and activities and assessments of local officials of their successes and failures. The results show that significant barriers to local economic activity exist, among them an inadequate state transportation infrastructure, high energy costs, and lack of an appropriately trained workforce.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 11:33 AM 0 comments
General Motors Close to Bankruptcy
General Motors Close to Bankruptcy
Auto giant General Motors announced that it's seeking to file for bankruptcy, which could result in one of the biggest Chapter 11 filings in U.S. history. Martin Baily examines the possible outcomes of this action saying GM lost its edge in the increasingly global and competitive auto manufacturing business.
# posted by Janice's Labor, Work, Economics News Blog @ 9:10 AM 0 comments
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