Tuesday, November 25, 2014

U.S. Hiring Slightly Down in May

In May the U.S. economy added 217,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Situation report released on June 6. The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.3%, averaging 6.52% for the year seasonally adjusted

According to the BLS Establishment Survey Data jobs in the Government sector were basically unchanged from April to May adding 1,000 jobs to the sector overall. Local Governments added 11,000 workers while State and Federal Government both decreased workers by 5,000.

ADP's National Employment Report released on June 4 showed a slight downward trend in hiring in May. Nonfarm payroll jobs in Private sectors increased 179,000. May's increase was below the previous three month average of 198,000 and slightly below the previous six month average of 183,000.

According to ADP, the Service-providing sector continued to add the greatest majority of jobs overall with an increase of 150,000 or 0.15% from April. At 0.15% the Service-providing sector increase was slightly lower than the previous three month average increase of 0.18%.

Goods-producing employment also increased 0.15% in May. Goods-producing jobs increased to 19.036 million adding 29,000. In the Goods-producing job sector nonfarm payrolls increased 0.11% in April and 0.15% in March.

U.S. financial markets were up for the week following the employment data releases. The S&P 500 added 1.27% for the June 6 week with an increase of 0.46% on Friday, June 6. The S&P 500 continues to remain above 1,900 with a June 6 close of 1,949.44.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was also up following the June 6 week's employment data releases. The index added 1.24% for the week and closed at 16,924.28 with an increase of 0.52% on Friday, June 6. Year to date the DJIA has gained 2.23% with Industrial stock Caterpillar continuing to lead index returns increasing 21.69%.

About the author:JulieYoung789Julie Young is a Chicago-based financial journalist with nine years of experience in the financial services industry. She primarily writes article publications on financial market news and economic trends. Julie holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from Boston College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Arkansas.
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Saturday, November 15, 2014

Walmart workers plan Black Friday protests

walmart black friday protest Shoppers won't be the only ones lined up outside Walmart on Black Friday. For the third year in a row, workers plan to protest outside stores. NEW YORK (CNNMoney) Shoppers lining up at Walmart for deals on Black Friday may have to contend with more than the throngs of other bargain hunters.

A group of Walmart workers is planning to protest at stores on one of the busiest days of the holiday season asking for higher wages and fair schedules.

This will be the third year of Black Friday demonstrations in a row. Protests are planned at 1,600 Walmart locations -- the most ever -- according to organizers from the union-backed group OUR Walmart.

Since plans are still in the works, the group could not say how many workers would actually show up. Protesters gathered at about 1,200 stores last year, according to the group, but Walmart says that number is inflated.

It's not only Walmart workers who will participate. Teachers and other community members are also expected to join.

Workers want to be paid at least $15 an hour, they want to be given more hours and to be given more consistent schedules. They're also accusing the retailer of retaliating against workers who have protested against the company before.

"There's nothing further from the truth," said Walmart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan.

But the National Labor Relations Board, which protects the rights of workers who organize for better wages, also alleges that Walmart unlawfully threatened or disciplined employees at more than a dozen stores for legally protected strikes and protests. Nineteen workers were fired for protesting and about 40 others were threatened or disciplined, according to the NLRB.

Walmart (WMT) has said it acted within its rights under the law. The latest hearing in that case was in June and no decision has been made yet.

Stores one-up each other on Thanksgiving   Stores one-up each other on Thanksgiving

Walmart worker protests tend to gain momentum around Black Friday, but protests occur throughout the year.

On Thursday, workers staged a sit-in at a store near Los Angeles. Twenty-six protesters were arrested for civil disobedience after moving to a second store, the union group OUR Walmart said.

Demonstrators sat in store aisl! es holding signs asking Walmart to "stop the illegal threats."

One month ago, 42 workers and other demonstrators were arrested in New York and D.C. for protesting for higher wages. Some were arrested outside the upscale Park Avenue home of Alice Walton, the billionaire daughter of Walmart's founder.

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