Labor
Chaos clouds Boeing's delivery of Air India 787s
Air India is expected to seek $1 billion from the Boeing Co. as compensation for the three-year delay of 787 production, and that might be delaying delivery of some of the first Dreamliners to the troubled carrier even...
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
When and how to address salary in a cover letter
If you read my column last week, you know how I feel about discussing salary too early in the job-search process. Since many employers use financial information to rule out job candidates, I recommend putting off the conversation until you understand the challenges of the position and have a chance...
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Workforce Development names 5 board members
Workforce Development names 5 new board members
Date: 05/29/2012 | Bizblog
Canadian rail strike stalls shipping in B.C.
A Teamsters strike that idled Canadian Pacific Railway's freight network in Canada is hindering shipments at the country's two biggest ports as the labor action stretched into its third day.
Date: 05/26/2012 | Bizblog
Amazon says it will improve warehouse conditions
SEATTLE -- Amazon.com Inc., addressing issues that have drawn heavy criticism of the company, told shareholders Thursday that it planned to improve warehouse conditions and drop its membership in a conservative public-policy organization.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Business
Inbox: digital groceries, pay for news, tag your bag
Miscellany from our inbox ...Electronic coupons at Safeway
Date: 05/24/2012 | Bizblog
Don’t name your price too early in job hunt
In last week's column, I stated that job hunting is often easier when employers tell you exactly what they want. This is true when the hiring manager requests your curriculum vitae or mentions that the job opportunity demands a specific set of skills. All you have to do is highlight the most...
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Snohomish County jobless rate plummets to 7.1%
Snohomish County's unemployment rate declined sharply in April to 7.1 percent -- from 9.1 percent a year ago and 8.5 percent last month, according to a report released...
Date: 05/22/2012 | Business
Looking for work? Class can help
People looking to restart their careers and get back into the workforce may want to check out a series of free workshops offered at the YWCA.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Life
Front Porch: Learn personal protection tips
Personal safety 101Learn the best practices for protecting yourself, your property and your family at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department's seminar, "Home Defense and Firearm Safety," from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23308 58th Ave. W.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Local News
Darrington schools to OK $440K to superintendent
DARRINGTON -- At its meeting Thursday evening, the school board expects to OK a final $440,000 settlement with former superintendent Larry Johnson.
Date: 05/16/2012 | Local News
3 things you should have when an job prospect asks
Let's say that you bump into potential employer at a networking conference. Your polite introduction grows into a pleasant conversation that makes both of you laugh out loud. After five minutes of chatting, she hands you a business card and asks for a copy of your resume. She wants your information...
Date: 05/16/2012 | Business
Half of college grads working full time, with less pay, deep debt
LOS ANGELES -- For most recent college graduates, these are gloomy times. Only about half are working full-time, with the majority starting with less pay than expected while also dealing with huge student debts. Nearly 6 in 10 think they'll end up less financially successful than their...
Date: 05/15/2012 | Business
Small businesses cope with low staffing
If you work for a small business there's a good chance that, since the recession, you have taken on additional responsibilities and are working longer hours. Some of the work that used to be done by fellow employees may be getting farmed out to freelancers or other independent contractors.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Bizblog
1 in 3 with autism lack jobs
CHICAGO -- One in 3 young adults with autism have no paid job experience, college or technical school nearly seven years after high school graduation, a study finds. That's a poorer showing than those with other disabilities including those who are mentally disabled, the researchers said.
Date: 05/14/2012 | Nation & World
2012 college grads enter improving job market
NEW YORK -- The class of 2012 is leaving college with something that many graduates since the start of the Great Recession have lacked: jobs.
Date: 05/13/2012 | Nation & World
Spaniards rage against austerity programs
MADRID -- Spaniards angered by increasingly grim economic prospects and unemployment hitting one out of every four citizens protested in droves Saturday in the nation's largest cities, marking the one-year anniversary of a spontaneous movement that inspired similar anti-authority demonstrations...
Date: 05/12/2012 | Nation & World
Mom's looking for back pay for her labor
LOS ANGELES -- You're always telling your mother you owe her. Now, the American Coalition for Labor Reparations has a worksheet you can use to calculate exactly how much back pay Mom deserves.
Date: 05/12/2012 | Business
3.7 million U.S. job postings: highest in 4 years
WASHINGTON — U.S. companies in March posted the highest number of job openings in nearly four years, a sign that hiring could strengthen in the coming months after slowing this spring.
Date: 05/08/2012 | Business
Drop in jobless aid requests boosts hopes for hiring
WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week by the most in nearly a year. The figure was a hopeful sign that hiring could pick up in coming months.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Business
Job-hunting tips for those in administrative fields
Question: I have noticed that most career articles, like the one you wrote for The Daily Herald, tend to give advice to people in the sales, money or marketing professions. What about those of us who work in the administrative field? We need help too!
Date: 05/02/2012 | Business
Duvall farm fined $1M for hiring illegal immigrants
SEATTLE -- A Washington state organic herb farm must pay $1 million for firing, then rehiring illegal immigrants following a federal audit.
Date: 05/01/2012 | Northwest
Consult a financial planner before buying long-term care insurance
Paying for long-term care is a worry for many, particularly aging baby boomers. Certified financial planner Kevin Young, of Young Wealth Management in Davis, Calif., offers the following advice on whether it's wise to invest in a long-term care insurance.
Date: 04/29/2012 | Business
County’s elected officials get 1.5 percent raise
EVERETT -- A citizens panel decided Wednesday to grant a dozen Snohomish County elected leaders a modest pay bump over the next two years, in an attempt to mirror the financial realities of other county workers.
Date: 04/27/2012 | Local News
Men's wages struggle to recover from recession
WASHINGTON -- Men continue to take a bigger hit in their paychecks than women because of lingering effects of the Great Recession, according to a study by the Conference Board.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Business
How states fared on jobless aid applications
Weekly unemployment benefit applications were little changed last week and remained stuck near a three-month high. That suggests hiring may have slowed after strong job gains this winter.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Bizblog
Federal agency says transgender people protected
WASHINGTON -- The agency that enforces the federal job discrimination laws has for the first time ruled that transgender people are protected from bias in the workplace.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Business
US Air pushing its plan of merger
FORT WORTH, Texas -- US Airways Group Inc. said it is focused on showing American Airlines creditors that its merger plan would result in $1.2 billion in cost synergies.
Date: 04/26/2012 | Business
Mold may force workers out of Union Gap City Hall
UNION GAP -- Mold may force some workers out of the Union Gap City Hall.Officials are making moving and clean-up plans Wednesday.
Date: 04/25/2012 | Northwest
Snohomish County unemployment rate dips
Payrolls increased in March by about 2,670 people in Snohomish County, driving down the county's unemployment rate to 8.4 percent, according to a state Employment Security Department report released Tuesday.
Date: 04/24/2012 | Business
Boeing, engineers get jump on talks
Representatives of the Boeing Co. and negotiators for the union representing the company's engineers were to begin discussing a new labor agreement Thursday and Friday.
Date: 04/19/2012 | Business
State jobless rate stays flat at 8.3 percent
OLYMPIA -- Washington state's unemployment rate for March remained flat at 8.3 percent, but the state added 3,300 jobs last month, marking the third consecutive month of growth, officials said Wednesday.
Date: 04/18/2012 | Business
What makes resumes rise to the top
When I worked for a recruiter, part of my job was to screen resumes and find potential candidates for open positions. I tore through hundreds of resumes in an hour. I opened each e-mailed file, made a snap decision and then clicked on the next one. On a good day, three or four resumes would capture...
Date: 04/18/2012 | Business
Career experiences
Expo connects Marysville students to job possibilities
Date: 04/18/2012 | Local News
Court blocks labor board rule on union posters
WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court on Tuesday temporarily blocked the National Labor Relations Board from making millions of businesses put up posters informing workers of their right to form a union.
Date: 04/17/2012 | Business
AFL-CIO Super PAC to focus on voter turnout
WASHINGTON -- The AFL-CIO's new "super" political action committee won't spend much on television ads, but will focus instead on mobilizing thousands of union and nonunion voters, officials at the labor federation said Thursday.
Date: 04/13/2012 | Business
Calif. high court excuses employers from ensuring breaks
SAN FRANCISCO -- In a case that affects thousands of businesses and millions of workers, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that employers are under no obligation to ensure that workers take legally mandated lunch breaks.
Date: 04/13/2012 | Business
Federal aid to help 570 K-C mill employees find work
EVERETT -- Hundreds of mill workers who lost their jobs at Kimberly-Clark are about to get more help finding new work.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Business
Applications for jobless aid tick up
WASHINGTON -- More people sought unemployment benefits last week, suggesting that the job market's recovery remains slow.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Business
Wisconsin recall is high-stakes bet for unions
MADISON, Wis. -- Unions are facing a make-or-break moment in their campaign to drive Wisconsin's Republican governor from office.
Date: 04/12/2012 | Business
Shoddy background checks hurt job-seekers' chances
WASHINGTON -- Thousands of U.S. job hunters are losing out because employers use faulty background-check data drawn from shoddy records, consumer advocates say in a new report.
Date: 04/11/2012 | Business
Don’t hand over Facebook password, even for a job
Let's say that you're in a job interview. You feel a strong connection with the company and appreciate the interviewer's casual style. You're at your best, answering tough questions with ease and looking forward to the job offer, which you fully expect to receive before walking out the door. But...
Date: 04/11/2012 | Business
State Senate approves penalties for early retirees
OLYMPIA -- Washington lawmakers on Tuesday agreed to reduce benefits for future state workers who take early retirement, making a pact that had eluded them for months and delayed final action on the state budget.
Date: 04/10/2012 | Northwest
Turning 50? Workshops focus on the road ahead
The Big Five-O, the Golden Years, Nifty, nifty, look who's 50. Humbug, you say?Are you one of the millions of baby boomers who isn't even dreaming of retirement yet, much less planning for it?
Date: 04/09/2012 | Life
U.S. jobless claims hit 4-year low of 357K
WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell to a four-year low last week, suggesting employers kept hiring in March at a healthy pace.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Business
Public job cuts damage education, safety
WASHINGTON -- Yes, the economy's growing, the unemployment rate is inching down and America is feeling a little bit better about itself. But don't think for a minute that all the lost jobs aren't still taking a severe toll all across this nation -- especially all the chopped government...
Date: 04/05/2012 | Nation & World
New NASA budget would trim funding for planet science
At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, tucked into the hills above Los Angeles, these are heady days: The robot dubbed Curiosity is hurtling toward Mars and is expected to put scientists on their strongest footing yet to determine whether the Red Planet is or ever has been hospitable to life. More than...
Date: 04/05/2012 | Nation & World
Tips to maintain optimism during your job search
Everyone knows that searching for employment is a hard thing to do. It can be frustrating, tiresome and tough on the wallet, particularly for the unemployed. Plus, the ups-and-downs can take a toll on a job seeker's emotions. Attitude. And outlook on life.
Date: 04/04/2012 | Business
Jobless rates fall in 29 states across the U.S.
Unemployment rates fell last month in most U.S. states, including in some hit hardest during the recession. The Labor Department said Friday that unemployment rates declined in 29 states and rose in 8. Rates were unchanged in 13 states and Washington, D.C. Employers added jobs in 42 states, the...
Date: 03/31/2012 | Business
Recall election set for Wisconsin GOP governor
LOS ANGELES -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whose campaign to limit the power of public employee unions aroused the ire of labor groups across the country, will face a recall election later this spring, the state's Government Accountability Board ruled Friday.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Nation & World
Employer gets criminal conviction for hiring illegal aliens
PHOENIX -- A contractor who pleaded guilty to knowingly hiring illegal immigrants was sentenced to probation Thursday in the first case in the state in which authorities pursued criminal charges instead of just fines against an employer in an illegal hiring case.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Nation & World
Allied Waste workers stop work to support union in Alabama
Several thousand people and businesses in Snohomish County didn't get their trash picked up because Allied Waste employees stopped work here in support of a union in Alabama.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Local News
Jobless claims fall to lowest level in 4 years
WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in four years, adding to evidence that the job market is strengthening.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Business
Eight fired Sauk-Suiattle workers sue tribe
DARRINGTON -- Eight former employees of the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe have filed suit in its Tribal Court, alleging that the Tribal Council violated its constitution and employee handbook and intentionally discriminated against the former employees.
Date: 03/29/2012 | Local News
3 tips to keep your resume out of the trash
Why is it hard to get through the door with a new employer? Here's one reason: Employers are busy people with exacting standards. As a job hunter, you only have an instant – a few seconds, actually – to make an impression that propels you to the next level of the hiring process.
Date: 03/28/2012 | Business
Learn how to 'Dress for Success'
First impressions can make a big difference, especially when looking for a job.In this tough economy and tight job market, how you look can be as important as your training and experience.
Date: 03/26/2012 | Life
State won 737 MAX, but can't afford to rest on its laurels
Twenty thousand jobs and $500 million in taxes -- that's what was at stake in securing 737 MAX assembly in Washington, state leaders said.Also at risk was the state's reputation in the aerospace industry.
Date: 03/25/2012 | Business
7 candidates try to stand out in 1st District
EVERETT -- A wide-open battle for the 1st Congressional District touched down at the Machinists Union Hall in Everett on Friday as seven candidates swapped views on creating jobs, protecting workers and preserving Social Security.
Date: 03/24/2012 | Local News
New complaint filed about Hanford waste plant
KENNEWICK -- Another complaint has been filed claiming a contractor at the nation's most contaminated nuclear site interfered with an investigation into the design and safety of a massive plant under construction to treat nuclear waste.
Date: 03/23/2012 | Northwest
Jobless aid applications hit 4-year low
WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid fell to a four-year low last week, bolstering the view that the job market is strengthening.
Date: 03/22/2012 | Business
200 southeastern Pa. transit police go on strike
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police and public transit officials say increased security is planned in response to a walkout Wednesday by about 200 transit police officers who cover the system's subways, trains, buses and trolleys.
Date: 03/21/2012 | Nation & World
Is a job worth Facebook privacy?
SEATTLE -- When Justin Bassett interviewed for a new job, he expected the usual questions about experience and references. So he was astonished when the interviewer asked for something else: his Facebook username and password.
Date: 03/21/2012 | Business
Prepare for interview by learning about job, company
Question: Today, I received an e-mail from a company about scheduling a phone interview. It's for a project manager position, but since the interview came through a referral, I don't know anything about the organization and I have no idea what the job would entail.
Date: 03/21/2012 | Business
U.S. factories help job recovery endure in March
WASHINGTON -- A resurgent U.S. job market that has lifted the economy appears to be enduring.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Business
Avoid using Skype for job interviews
It used to be difficult to land a job with a faraway employer. These days, if you have the motivation and a good Internet connection, and you can reach out to potential bosses all over the world.
Date: 03/14/2012 | Business
Feds: Mine missed safety check before rock burst
SPOKANE -- A federal inspection report shows that officials at the Lucky Friday Mine in northern Idaho failed to conduct the second of two daily monitoring checks on the day a violent rock burst broke the pelvis of one miner and also injured six others.
Date: 03/13/2012 | Northwest
Layoffs, other factors bump up county jobless rate
The Snohomish County unemployment rate shot up in January to 8.7 percent from 8 percent in December as more people resumed job searches in the first month of 2012.
Date: 03/13/2012 | Business
Jobless rates fell in 45 states in January
WASHINGTON -- The unemployment rate fell in 45 U.S. states in January, a sign that nearly all of the country is benefiting from an improving economy and job market.
Date: 03/13/2012 | Business
Unions work to mend divisions over Keystone pipeline
WASHINGTON -- Unions may be united in working to re-elect President Barack Obama, but their leaders also are trying to repair bitter divisions over his rejection of an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas.
Date: 03/11/2012 | Nation & World
U.S. adds 227,000 jobs, bolstering recovery hopes
WASHINGTON -- The United States added 227,000 jobs in February in the latest display of the economic recovery's surprising breadth and brawn. The country has put together the strongest three months of pure job growth since the Great Recession.
Date: 03/09/2012 | Business
Consumer demand expected to propel hiring in U.S.
WASHINGTON -- U.S. companies will have to keep hiring steadily to meet their customers' rising demand.
Date: 03/08/2012 | Business
The silver lining of a job search? Tax deductions
Even though it comes at the same time every year, the mid-April tax deadline still creeps up on many Americans. Really, there's no need to procrastinate. Unless you have a complicated pile of paperwork on your hands, you can avoid last-minute anxiety by completing this task right away.
Date: 03/07/2012 | Business
State unemployment rate drops for fourth straight month
OLYMPIA -- Washington's unemployment rate dropped to 8.3 percent in January, continuing a string of positive labor reports for the state.
Date: 02/29/2012 | Business
Boeing retiree reaching out to help younger unemployed veterans
EVERETT -- Robert Krull remembers what it was like growing up during World War II. Now 75, he feels veterans are treated differently.He's chairman of the Boeing Bluebills Sno-King chapter, a group of Boeing retirees.
Date: 02/29/2012 | Local News
Four things you must avoid in your job search
You have more control over your job search than you might think. Especially with regard to the image you portray to employers. You select the precise format and words used in your resume. The clothing you wear. The stories you tell at networking events. The answers you give to interview...
Date: 02/29/2012 | Business
U.S. Postal Service says it will close Everett processing facility, lay off 97 workers
EVERETT -- Nearly 100 people who work at an Everett mail processing facility will lose their jobs later this year, the U.S. Postal Service announced Thursday.
Date: 02/23/2012 | Local News
Mine safety agency report faults foremen in explosion that killed 29 men
BECKLEY, W.Va. -- West Virginia mine safety officials issued 253 violations in their investigation of the Upper Big Branch disaster and targeted at least two foremen, saying their failures may have exacerbated the unsafe conditions underground before the explosion that killed 29 men.
Date: 02/23/2012 | Business
Laid-off workers with a long history have additional challenges and opportunities in finding work
A layoff can feel like a kick in the gut. It knocks the wind out of you and leaves you reeling on the floor until you're finally ready to get up.
Date: 02/22/2012 | Business
Denied jobs, blacks in Iowa test new bias theory in court
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- In a case closely watched by civil rights activists, an Iowa judge will soon decide whether to grant thousands of black employees and job applicants monetary damages for hiring practices used by Iowa state government that they say have disadvantaged them.
Date: 02/18/2012 | Business
Deal trims maximum jobless benefits to 73 weeks
WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans will continue to receive long-term unemployment benefits under legislation approved Friday in Congress, but the scope of the program is being scaled back to cover fewer people by the end of the year.
Date: 02/17/2012 | Nation & World
Beat interview jitters by focusing on goal
Interview jitters. The symptoms vary from person to person. Forgetfulness, sweating, stammering over long sentences. Since most employers consider face-to-face discussions to be critical to the hiring process, there is simply no way around interviews. If you want a new job, you have to show up.
Date: 02/15/2012 | Business
House Republicans propose changes in federal pension rates
WASHINGTON -- Federal employees would pay more toward their pensions and new employees would receive less generous retirement benefits under a House Republican plan to pay for highway programs.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Nation & World
You’re better off with a hole in your resume than a lie that will trip you up
A few weeks ago, I spoke with a job seeker about rewriting his resume. He has been unemployed for eight months and is nearing the end of his savings. He's pacing the floor with anxiety.
Date: 02/08/2012 | Business
Job openings jump to near a 3-year high
WASHINGTON -- The number of available jobs in the United States jumped in December to near a three-year high, supporting other data that show a brighter outlook for hiring.
Date: 02/07/2012 | Business
House Republicans seek a federal pay freeze
WASHINGTON -- The GOP-led House is ushering forward bills to freeze federal employee pay and ban welfare recipients from accessing their benefits through ATMs at casinos or strip clubs -- moves intended to give Republicans leverage for including those proposals in negotiations to extend President...
Date: 02/02/2012 | Nation & World
Green-job training put on hold after program produces few jobs
Government-funded training for so-called green jobs has come to a near standstill in Snohomish County, having produced lackluster results.
Date: 02/02/2012 | Business
Highlighted strengths on resumes get noticed
Two weeks ago, I wrote an article saying to add some humanity to your resume. My advice was this: If you have an interesting career progression, tell your story in a way that seizes an employer's attention. I included an example about a job seeker who had built his career from supervisor to senior...
Date: 02/01/2012 | Business
Don’t rely solely on the Internet when developing a network of job contacts
Many job hunters spend their free time bouncing around on the Internet. They lose themselves on job boards and obsess over increasing their "contact" or "friend" lists on social networking sites. It's true that online resources make it easy to gather information about your industry, research...
Date: 01/25/2012 | Business
County jobless rate, 8.2 percent, lowest since December 2008
Snohomish County's jobless rate saw another promising decline in December to 8.2 percent, the lowest since December 2008.
Date: 01/24/2012 | Business
Fitch affirms Boeing Co.'s debt ratings
Fitch Ratings on Monday affirmed the debt ratings of the Boeing Co. and its financing arm, Boeing Capital.
Date: 01/24/2012 | Business
ILWU reaches settlement in Longview labor dispute
OLYMPIA -- A Longshore union and a grain terminal operator reached a tentative settlement Monday to end a fiery labor dispute at the Port of Longview that included blocked trains and repeated arrests.
Date: 01/23/2012 | Business
Networking face to face
Edmonds mixers help those unemployed, underemployed
Date: 01/23/2012 | Business
Worker dies at Snohomish-area mill
SNOHOMISH -- Emergency crews were called early Thursday after a worker died at a Snohomish-area mill.
Date: 01/19/2012 | Local News
Your resume should reflect your career progression
Call me crazy but I think that resumes -- good ones -- tell wonderful stories. They may not be as soothing as bedtime fables or take you on exhilarating rides like plot-driven novels. But they do offer insight into people's lives.
Date: 01/18/2012 | Business
Aerospace students wait for loan funds
Fifty-one students have received low-interest student loans to pay for short-term aerospace job training in Washington, but plenty more on a waiting list for funding.
Date: 01/14/2012 | Business
Investigation disputes claims of harassment by former assistant to ex-mayor of Edmonds
EDMONDS -- A report by an independent investigator found that most of a former mayor's executive assistant's claims of harassment and hostility in the workplace were unfounded.
Date: 01/14/2012 | Local News
Murray told of progress in aerospace training and education
EVERETT -- How does a state, or a community like Snohomish County, ensure it has enough qualified workers to sustain a growing industry like aerospace?•You increase the number of engineers being educated locally.
Date: 01/12/2012 | Business
Jobless but not hopeless
Sen. Murray comes to Marysville to talk about aid for jobless
Date: 01/12/2012 | Local News
Twinkies maker Hostess seeks bankruptcy protection
NEW YORK — Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, is seeking bankruptcy protection, blaming its pension and medical benefits obligations, increased competition and tough economic conditions.
Date: 01/11/2012 | Business
Don’t give too much weight to unemployment horror stories
Question: In a recent column you wrote, "Don't get discouraged at any time or for any reason." Realistically, it's hard not to get discouraged when it takes 34 weeks for the average 27-year-old to get a job and 56 weeks for the 40-and-older crowd.
Date: 01/11/2012 | Business
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