W.Va. municipal pension relief plan wins passage AP (November 20, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Some of West Virginia's largest cities can soon freeze and gradually pay down their daunting pension funding shortfalls, after the House of Delegates sent Gov. Joe Manchin his special session relief proposal Thursday.
NYC TV newsman guilty of attempted assault on wife AP (November 20, 2009) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Cable television newsman Dominic Carter, an influential reporter on New York politics, was convicted Friday of an attempted assault on his wife.
New jobless benefit claims unchanged at 505K AP (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment insurance was unchanged last week, remaining above the level that would indicate the economy is adding jobs.
Ahead of the Bell: Jobless claims AP (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits likely edged up last week, after falling by 30,000 in the previous two weeks.
Company to pay almost $400,000 in back overtime AP (November 19, 2009) SUGAR LAND, Texas (AP) - The U.S. Labor Department says a British contractor has agreed to pay nearly $400,000 in back overtime wages.
NYC has lost nearly 60,000 jobs in communications AP (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - New York City, the center of the nation's information industry, has lost nearly 60,000 communications jobs since 2000, including in publishing and broadcasting, the comptroller's office said Wednesday.
AOL to lay off a third of staff AP (November 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - AOL Inc., the struggling Internet company, plans to cut about a third of its workers if its planned spinoff from Time Warner Inc. goes through.
Investigators release video of Utah refinery blast AP (November 18, 2009) WOODS CROSS, Utah (AP) - Surveillance camera video shows a 100-foot fireball ripping through a Utah refinery during a gas explosion that knocked a nearby home off its foundation earlier this month.
Navy finds lax behavior aboard sub in collision AP (November 18, 2009) GROTON, Conn. (AP) - The crew aboard a U.S. submarine made dozens of errors before the vessel collided with an American warship in the Persian Gulf, an accident that exposed lax leaders who tolerated sleeping, slouching and a radio room rigged with music speakers, a Navy review found.
Small firms scrapping, scaling back health plans AP (November 18, 2009) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.
Obama: Job creation not goal of Dec. 3 jobs forum AP (November 18, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - President Barack Obama says creating jobs isn't the goal of a coming White House forum on jobs and economic growth.
Neb. court revives Union Pacific worker's lawsuit AP (November 17, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Union Pacific Railroad will have to defend itself from a lawsuit by a former employee who says the company should have done a better job protecting her against West Nile virus.
Court to consider Mich. affirmative action ban AP (November 17, 2009) LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A federal appeals court is about to consider a lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban against racial preferences in public university admissions and government hiring.
Obama to visit Pennsylvania after jobs forum AP (November 17, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama will travel to Pennsylvania and other states next month after hosting a White House forum on creating jobs.
Union says Verizon laying off 1,000 AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - The largest union for Verizon Communications Inc. workers said the phone company is laying off more than 1,000 employees in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Recession intensifies GenX discontent at work AP (November 16, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - They're antsy and edgy, tired of waiting for promotion opportunities at work as their elders put off retirement. A good number of them are just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can hop to the next job, find something more fulfilling and get what they think they deserve. Oh, and they want work-life balance, too.
Report: OSHA should improve safety checks AP (November 16, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional investigators say the agency in charge of workplace safety needs to do a better job of making sure employers keep accurate records on worker injuries and illnesses.
GM offers moves to soon-to-be idled UAW workers AP (November 13, 2009) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - General Motors has offered union workers at the automaker's soon-to-be idled Spring Hill assembly plant 840 jobs at Lansing Delta Township, Mich., where GM is relocating production of the Chevrolet Traverse.
Pulte Homes CFO exercises expiring stock options AP (November 13, 2009) BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. (AP) - Homebuilder Pulte Homes Inc. said Friday that its chief financial officer, Roger A. Cregg, raised his stake by exercising stock options that were set to expire.
Unions prod Obama to fix ailing airline industry AP (November 12, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Three decades of airline deregulation have helped make air travel more accessible to consumers through lower fares.
Jobless claims fall more than expected to 502K AP (November 12, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - New claims for unemployment insurance fell more than expected last week, evidence the job market is slowly healing as the economy recovers.
Obama's pay czar concerned firms could lose talent AP (November 12, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration's pay czar says he is "very concerned" about scaring away top talent at seven firms that took the biggest bailouts.
World Bank warns unemployment threatens US economy AP (November 11, 2009) SINGAPORE (AP) - Stubbornly high joblessness threatens to trigger loan defaults and drag on consumption next year, hobbling a U.S. economy struggling to rebound from recession, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Wednesday.
35,000 in Pa. may get extension of jobless checks AP (November 11, 2009) HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Thousands of Pennsylvania residents who have exhausted their unemployment compensation benefit may be able to get 20 more weeks of checks.
Chemical BPA in workers linked to sex problems AP (November 11, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Male factory workers in China who got very high doses of a chemical that's been widely used in hard plastic bottles had high rates of sexual problems, researchers reported Wednesday.
Police say 2 die in Oregon office park shooting AP (November 10, 2009) TUALATIN, Ore. (AP) - Oregon police say a shooting at drug-testing facility in a suburban Portland office park has left two people dead and two others wounded. Police say the apparent shooter was among those killed, apparently from a self-inflected gunshot wound. A woman who was killed was not identified.
Lloyds Bank cutting or moving 5,000 more jobs AP (November 10, 2009) LONDON (AP) - Britain's Lloyds Banking Group PLC said Tuesday that it plans to cut about 4,300 jobs and transfer 680 more in a series of reorganizational moves in its group operations, insurance and retail division.
Fed officials warn weak recovery won't spur jobs AP (November 10, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Unemployment likely will remain high for the next several years because the economic recovery won't be strong enough to spur robust hiring, Federal Reserve officials warned Tuesday.
NTELOS plans job cuts, expects charges of $1.5M AP (November 10, 2009) WAYNESBORO, Va. (AP) - NTELOS Holdings Corp. said Tuesday it plans to cut an unspecified number of jobs, resulting in charges of about $1.5 million in 2009.
Transit moving again in Philly after 6-day strike AP (November 09, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Trolleys, subways and buses were running again Monday and riders were trickling back to the city's transit system after an early-morning contract agreement ended a crippling six-day strike.
Canada's unemployment rate rises AP (November 06, 2009) TORONTO (AP) - Canada's unemployment rate rose to 8.6 percent in October from 8.4 percent a month earlier as the economy shed 43,200 jobs, the government said Friday.
Obama to sign extension of jobless benefits AP (November 06, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is set to sign a bill extending jobless benefits 20 weeks and prolonging the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit.
Former Iowa slaughterhouse manager testifies AP (November 06, 2009) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The former manager of a kosher Iowa slaughterhouse that was the site of a massive immigration raid says he never intentionally violated federal laws.
Governor: New proposal in Philly transit strike AP (November 06, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell said Friday a new proposal has been sent to the union in an effort to end the strike by Philadelphia transit workers, now entering its fourth day.
States with jobless rates of 8.5 percent and above AP (November 06, 2009) (AP) - Legislation President Barack Obama is set to sign Friday would extend unemployment insurance benefits by 14 weeks for jobless people in all states who have exhausted their benefits. The jobless living in 27 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, that have unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher would receive an additional six weeks. States receiving the additi
Congress set to clear aid to jobless, homebuyers AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is one vote away from sending the president legislation that continues aid to more than a million jobless people and extends tax breaks to hundreds of thousands of prospective homebuyers and struggling businesses.
Jump in productivity puts job creation in doubt AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Companies across the economy are finding ways to do more with fewer workers, dimming hopes that hiring will take off anytime soon.
NetJets Inc. to lay off 495 pilots nationwide AP (November 05, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Private air service NetJets Inc., unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, says it will lay off up to 495 pilots nationwide because of a drop in demand.
Opel workers across Germany protest GM move AP (November 05, 2009) RUESSELSHEIM, Germany (AP) - Fearing widespread layoffs, thousands of Opel workers walked off the job across Germany on Thursday to protest General Motors Co.'s decision to abandon the unit's sale to new owners.
States with jobless rates of 8.5 percent and above AP (November 05, 2009) (AP) - Legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday would extend unemployment insurance benefits by 14 weeks for jobless people in all states who have exhausted their benefits. The jobless living in 27 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, that have unemployment rates of 8.5 percent or higher would receive an additional six weeks. States receiving the additional benefits:
Schools reopen as Philly transit strike continues AP (November 04, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The first day of a transit strike caused widespread delays and frustrated thousands of commuters who had to find other ways to get around Pennsylvania's largest city.
Mont. high court: Retirees can lose workers' comp AP (November 04, 2009) HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Montana Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a state law that allows insurance companies to cut off workers' compensation payments for those suffering permanent total disability when the disabled party is eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.
Kin tells of brief call from doomed scallop boat AP (November 04, 2009) CAPE MAY, N.J. (AP) - Shortly before 5 a.m. on March 24, Janet Greene's phone rang in her North Carolina home. A light sleeper, she grabbed it on the first ring, knowing it was likely to be from Royal Smith Jr., a commercial fisherman who had two sons with her daughter, Stacy.
STIMULUS WATCH: Salary raise counted as saved job AP (November 04, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's economic recovery program saved 935 jobs at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, an impressive success story for the stimulus plan. Trouble is, only 508 people work there.
J&J says it could cut more than 8,000 jobs AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday it will trim layers of management, cut thousands of jobs, and set other restructuring moves in order to save up to $900 million next year.
Bank HSBC cutting 1,700 UK jobs AP (November 03, 2009) LONDON (AP) - HSBC Holdings PLC says it is cutting 1,700 positions from its British work force.
Buses, subways halted by Philly transit strike AP (November 03, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia transit system's largest union went on strike early Tuesday, stalling the city's bus, subway and trolley operations a day after the World Series shifted to New York and forcing thousands of commuters to find other ways to get to work.
Nokia Siemens Networks to lay off up to 5,700 AP (November 03, 2009) HELSINKI (AP) - Nokia Siemens Networks said Tuesday it will lay off up to 5,700 workers globally as part of a move to cut annual costs by euro500 million ($740 million).
Mountain State U, bankers group become partners AP (November 02, 2009) BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) - Mountain State University and the West Virginia Bankers Association are forming a partnership to provide continued education to workers in the banking industry.
Consol cited for training violation in 2008 death AP (November 02, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Federal investigators say they can't determine how a foreman for coal producer Consol Energy fell into the Ohio River in northern West Virginia and drowned late last year.
Retailers suspend dealings with Mich. fruit grower AP (October 30, 2009) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Wal-Mart, Kroger and Meijer are suspending business with a large southwestern Michigan blueberry grower after investigators found children as young as 6 working in the grower's fields.
AP IMPACT: Stimulus jobs overstated by thousands AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A Colorado company said it created 4,231 jobs with the help of President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan. The real number: fewer than 1,000.
Mass. gov. credits stimulus with 23,000 jobs AP (October 29, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick said Wednesday that the federal stimulus program has created or saved more than 23,000 jobs in Massachusetts since February.
Fla. man says Home Depot fired him over God button AP (October 28, 2009) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A former cashier for The Home Depot who has been wearing a "One nation under God" button on his work apron for more than a year has been fired, he says because of the religious reference. The company claims that expressing such personal beliefs is simply not allowed.
Ex-Letterman writer claims hostile environment AP (October 28, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A former writer for David Letterman said she quit his NBC talk show in part because of alleged sexual favoritism and a hostile work environment.
NFL to aid ex-players who reported mental problems AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - When a recent study conducted for the NFL suggested that retired pro football players may have a higher rate than normal of Alzheimer's disease or other memory afflictions, the NFL was quick to point out that the study did not prove a link between concussions and memory disorders.
Sen. Murray asking Boeing, machinists to talk AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Patty Murray's office says she's trying to arrange talks Wednesday in Washington, D.C., between Boeing and the Machinists union.
Worsening job picture fuels slide in confidence AP (October 27, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Consumers' confidence about the U.S. economy fell unexpectedly in October as job prospects remained bleak, a private research group said Tuesday, fueling speculation that an already gloomy holiday shopping forecast could worsen.
Ariz. official warns of 'massive' teacher layoffs AP (October 27, 2009) PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona faces the prospect of large-scale layoffs of school teachers next year due to the state's budget problems, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said.
Groups call for balance in labor, immigration laws AP (October 27, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Workplace immigration raids during the Bush administration interfered with ongoing labor investigations and allowed employers to exploit workers who complained about conditions on the job, labor groups said in a report released Tuesday.
Survey: Hiring, spending pickup seen in next 6 mos AP (October 26, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Results from a new economic survey may ease concerns about rising unemployment and its effect on consumer spending, as forecasters say more employers appear willing to hire in the coming months.
Hotel owner tells Hispanic workers to change names AP (October 26, 2009) TAOS, N.M. (AP) - Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.
Former Mets GM fired by ESPN AP (October 26, 2009) (AP) - Baseball analyst Steve Phillips was fired by ESPN on Sunday night, less than a week after he admitted having an affair with a production assistant at the cable network.