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”There is no debate as to why, on the first Monday in September, the nation pays tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers. The message of Labor Day has been the same since it began, informally in 1882, and officially, as a federal holiday, in 1894: the great American worker is what makes America great. But there is an ongoing debate about who first proposed a national commemoration and celebration for workers. One side credits Peter McGuire, a carpenter from New York.  ”During a recent radio interview in advance of Labor Day, Secretary Solis was asked: ‘Who came up with the idea of Labor Day?’ She gave a very diplomatic response, and replied: ‘Mr. McGuire.’” Source: USDOL |
31 August 2012
• Who Invented Labor Day?
• U.S. Consumer Sentiment – AUG 2012
 "The gauge was projected to rise to 73.6, according to the median forecast of 60 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. The preliminary reading for August was 73.6.” Source: Bloomberg.com |
• U.S. Factory Orders - JUL 2012
 Shipments, up two of the last three months, increased $9.5 billion or 2.0 percent to $478.8 billion. This followed a 1.2 percent June decrease. Unfilled orders, up two consecutive months, increased $7.9 billion or 0.8 percent to $996.6 billion. This followed a 0.4 percent June increase. The unfilled orders-to-shipments ratio was 6.21, down from 6.28 in June. Inventories, up following three consecutive monthly decreases, increased $3.1 billion or 0.5 percent to $607.3 billion. This was at the highest level since the series was first published on a NAICS basis in 1992 and followed a 0.1 percent June decrease. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.27, down from 1.29 in June. Source: USDOC |
30 August 2012
• Connecticut’s Economy: Just How Bad Is It?
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”Connecticut's economy is worse off than economists initially believed, choking off job creation and threatening the state's long-term fiscal health, a University of Connecticut study said.  Source: Courant.com |
• FMLA Leave Q&As On Medical Certification
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”Administering FMLA leave can be a complex process, especially when handling medical certification. ”FMLA absences should be designated as such when appropriate, but employers often have designation questions when dealing with specific employee circumstances.  "Davis lent her expertise to us and was on hand to answer questions from webinar participants.” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims - 25 AUG 2012
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In the week ending August 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 374,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised figure of 374,000 but down 8.1% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 370,250, an increase of 1,500 from the previous week's revised average of 368,750.  Click on chart to enlarge The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending August 18, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending August 11 were in Puerto Rico (4.4), theVirgin Islands (4.1), Pennsylvania (3.9), New Jersey (3.8), Connecticut (3.6), Alaska (3.6), California (3.4), Rhode Island (3.1), New York (3.0), and Nevada (3.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending August 18 were in Michigan (+2,383), Florida (+1,558), Colorado (+781), South Carolina (+774), and Texas (+517), while the largest decreases were in California (-5,549), Ohio (-1,379), Oregon (-1,098), Wisconsin (-539), and Virginia (-480). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Personal Income – July 2012
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Personal Income: Increased $42.3 billion, or 0.3 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $39.9 billion, or 0.3 percent, in July. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $46.0 billion, or 0.4 percent. In June, personal income increased $46.1 billion, or 0.3 percent, DPI increased $37.4 billion, or 0.3 percent, and PCE increased $3.5 billion, or less than 0.1 percent.  Payrolls: Private wage and salary disbursements increased $16.1 billion in July, compared with an increase of $28.5 billion in June. Goods-producing industries' payrolls increased $5.5 billion, compared with an increase of $7.1 billion; manufacturing payrolls increased $3.6 billion, compared with an increase of $4.9 billion. Services-producing industries' payrolls increased $10.6 billion, compared with an increase of $21.4 billion. Government wage and salary disbursements increased $0.3 billion, compared with an increase of $0.5 billion. Source: USDOC |
29 August 2012
• U.S. Real GDP Expanded at Slower Rate in Q2
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Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 1.7 percent in the second quarter of 2012 (that is, from the first quarter to the second quarter), according to the "second" estimate. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.0 percent.  The increase in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, nonresidential fixed investment, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from private inventory investment and from state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. The deceleration in real GDP in the second quarter primarily reflected decelerations in PCE, in nonresidential fixed investment, and in residential fixed investment that were partly offset by a smaller decrease in federal government spending, an acceleration in exports, and a smaller decrease in private inventory investment. Source: USDOC http://www.bea.gov |
• Connecticut Governor Appoints Union Head as Commissioner of Labor
 ”Ms. Palmer is currently the President of AFT Connecticut, an AFL-CIO union representing 28,000 teachers and other workers, including heath care professionals, state employees, higher education and school related personnel.” Source: Governor’s Office Photo: ctaflcio.org Note: Palmer replaces Glenn Marshall who resigned in July; Marshall is head of Carpenters Union Local 210. |
• “’Competitive' Pay Is Not Enough”
 ”But what happens when your goal of offering competitive pay is finally achieved? ”Are employees pleased and content? ”Can companies rest in their efforts to attract, motivate and retain?” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
28 August 2012
• U.S. Consumer Confidence Sags to 2011 Level
 ”Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: ‘The Consumer Confidence Index is now at its lowest level since late last year (Nov. 2011, 55.2). A more pessimistic outlook was the primary reason for this month's decline in confidence. Consumers were more apprehensive about business and employment prospects, but more optimistic about their financial prospects despite rising inflation expectations....’” Source: The Conference Board |
• Commercial Fishing Ranks As Deadliest Job In U.S.
 "And despite the popular notion from reality TV's "Deadliest Catch," featuring Alaskan crab fishermen, the most dangerous fishery is in the Northeast.” Source: TradeOnlyToday.com |
• Connecticut Gas Hits $4 A Gallon
 ”The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline became $4.003 overnight. The last time motorists paid more than $4 was May 16, the report states.” Source: Courant.com |
27 August 2012
• Employee Benefits Security Administration Alleges Glastonbury, Connecticut Investment Firm Violated ERISA
 ”An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration found that the Glastonbury, Conn.-based fiduciary investment adviser made investments in mutual funds on behalf of ERISA-covered defined benefit plan clients and received 12b-1 fees from those funds. A 12b-1 fee is paid by a mutual fund out of fund assets to cover certain expenses. "USI Advisors failed to fully disclose the receipt of the 12b-1 fees, and to use those fees for the benefit of the plans either by directly crediting the amounts to the plans or by offsetting other fees the plans would be obligated to pay the company.” Source: USDOL-EBSA Photo: Business & Legal Resources |
• Is That Hurricane Going to Hit Connecticut?
 NOAA's got you covered: • Hurricane Central 2012: Your One-Stop Source For NOAA Tropical Cyclone News and Information Get the latest forecast, advisories, radar images, fact sheets, links to preparedness resources and more on our comprehensive webpage: Source: Hurricane Central 2012 |
• Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Special Assessments Mailed in August
 In Connecticut, the statutory mechanism to collect these interest payments is via an annual special assessment billed to the state’s employers on August 1 and due on August 31. The state's current loan balance has been reduced to $630 million. The interest rate on trust fund loans for 2012 has also been lowered to 2.9430% as opposed to 4.0869% for last year. So this year’s assessment totaled approximately $23 million; $1.30 per thousand dollars of taxable payroll, or about $19.50 per full time employee. For example, an employer with 10 workers received an August 2012 assessment of about $195. Source: CTDOL |
• U.S. Displaced Workers: 2009-2011
 Forty percent of long-tenured displaced workers from the 2009-11 period cited insufficient work as the reason for their displacement, and 31 percent cited that their plant or company closed down or moved. Nearly 1 in 5 long-tenured displaced workers lost a job in manufacturing. Among long-tenured workers who were displaced from full-time wage and salary jobs and who were reemployed in such jobs in January 2012, 54 percent had earnings that were less than those of their lost job. Source: USDOL-BLS |
26 August 2012
• Stamford, Connecticut Issues Rabies Warning
 "Here are some signs that should make you suspicious of the health of any animal: aggressive acting; has paralysis; bites at everything if excited; has an increase of saliva and/or drooling; has difficulty moving, has unusual vocalizations and appears sick overall. "If you get bitten by an animal wash the bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water as soon as soon as possible. Consult a physician as soon as possible. "...animal proof your home and yard. Make sure all garbage containers have tight fitting lids and do not leave pet food or water outside. Source: StamfordAdvocate.com |
24 August 2012
• U.S. Durable Goods Orders – July 2012
 Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 0.4 percent. Excluding defense, new orders increased 5.7 percent. Transportation equipment, up five of the last six months, had the largest increase, $9.9 billion or 14.1 percent to $80.4 billion. Source: U.S. Census Bureau |
23 August 2012
• Connecticut Employers Held 15 Mass Layoffs in July
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Connecticut employers took 15 mass layoff actions in July involving 1,137 workers, not seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. Connecticut mass layoff events in July increased by 7 from July 2011, and the number of associated initial claims increased by 802. Nationally, employers took 1,515 mass layoff actions involving 157,753 workers, nsa. U.S. mass layoff events in July decreased by 661 from the same month a year ago, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 59,021.  Source: USDOL-BLS |
• Bridgeport, Stamford, Connecticut Residents Test Positive for WNV
 "These results bring the total number of human cases of WNV infection in Connecticut to four this year…. “The most recent human cases of West Nile virus are residents of Bridgeport and Stamford,” Source: CTDPH |
• Congressional Budget Office: Tax Increases Will Cause Recession
 ”That's one of the main takeaways from an analysis Wednesday by the Congressional Budget Office, which released its updated budget and economic projections for 2012 through 2022.” Source: Money.CNN.com |
• Connecticut WC Commission Posts New CRB Opinion
 ”Clukey v. Century Pools, (Case No. 5683 CRB-6-11-9) - August 22, 2012.” |
• U.S. New Home Sales – June 2012
 The median sales price of new houses sold in June 2012 was $232,600; the average sales price was $273,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of June was 144,000. This represents a supply of 4.9 months at the current sales rate. Source: U.S. Census Bureau |
• Connecticut Initial Unemployment Claims Increase By 306
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Nationally, in the week ending August 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 372,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 368,000 but down 10.1% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 368,000, an increase of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average of 364,250.  The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending August 11, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending August 4 were in Puerto Rico (4.7), theVirgin Islands (4.6), Pennsylvania (3.8), New Jersey (3.7), Connecticut (3.6), Alaska (3.6), California (3.5), Rhode Island (3.2), New York (3.1), and Nevada (3.0). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending August 11 were in California (+7,941), Puerto Rico (+1,980), Oregon (+755), Idaho (+527), and Connecticut (+306), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-2,324), Pennsylvania (-1,879), Indiana (-1,485), Illinois (-1,223), and Massachsetts (-1,212).” Click on chart to enlarge Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
22 August 2012
• 405 Traffic Fatalities Predicted for Labor Day Weekend
 The NSC estimates 405 traffic fatalities and another 40,500 medically consulted injuries will occur over the traditional end-of-summer weekend from motor vehicle collisions. Source: NSC |
• Connecticut Help-Wanted Ads Running More Than 7% Above Year Ago
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Connecticut online advertised vacancies fell 700 in July to 65,000, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series. However, compared to July 2011, ads were up 8.3%.  In Hartford, the only Connecticut city for which these data are collected, online ads also fell by 700 from June but were up 7.8% from July 2011. Nationwide, online advertised vacancies fell 153,600 in July to 4,793,500. Compared to the same month a year ago, July ads were up 11.5%. ”’Over the last three years labor demand continued to move forward, albeit slowly, making this a very slow-growth recovery and an indication of the lingering economic uncertainty of employers,’ said June Shelp, Vice President at The Conference Board. The average monthly increase for labor demand was 39,000 in 2010, up to 50,000 in 2011. In the first seven months of 2012, the increase is up to an average of 67,000 per month. ”Across the U.S. and across occupations, the picture is mixed with some States and metro areas benefiting from strength in manufacturing and energy as well as the continuing demand in occupations like computers and math and healthcare. In addition, Sales occupations are up 126,000 thus far in 2012.” Source: The Conference Board |
• Connecticut WC Commission Posts New CRB Opinions
 "Lewis v. State of Connecticut/Department of Correction (Case No. 5677 CRB-4-11-8) - August 15, 2012 "Shanks v. Greentree Toyota Lincoln-Mercury (Case No. 5625 CRB-7-11-2) - August 16, 2012." Source: Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission |
• Clinton, CT Employer to Layoff and Close Doors
 The Unilever website, http://www.unilever.com/, says “We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life.” Unilever’s brand names include Dove, Lux, Lipton, Knorr, Hellman’s, and Ben & Jerry’s. The operation will close by 31 DEC 2012. Reference: CTDOL |
• Your FMLA questions answered
 ”What they definitely are aware of is the complications of the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA. ”Here's the latest sampling of queries to our legal experts....” Source: Business & Legal Resources |
20 August 2012
• Finding A Job Is Biggest Challenge for Veterans
 Source: WashingtonPost.com |
• “5 Things Failure Teaches You About Leadership”
 ”Understandably, most people would rather not talk about their failures, but it sure does teach one how to manage adversity; for example, to understand why certain dots didn’t connect in their career, or why certain relationships or opportunities went awry….” Read the entire article at: Forbes.com |
• Blue-Collar Workers Have Worst Employee Health
 ”…survey, released last month, found that blue-collar workers topped the charts when it comes to many health concerns: About 37% of transportation workers and 30.7% of manufacturing and production employees are obese; smoking was prevalent among 33% in mining and construction and 29.3% in installation and repair work." Source: USAToday.com |
• County Employment and Wages in Connecticut
 Nationally, employment increased 1.4 percent from December 2010 to December 2011. The largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment was recorded in Kern, Calif., up 5.3 percent. Benton, Wash., experienced the largest over-the-year decrease in employment with a loss of 3.4 percent. Among the four largest counties in Connecticut, employment was highest in Hartford (495,456) and lowest in New London (123,540). Along with Fairfield and New Haven, the four large counties accounted for 84.5 percent of the state’s total employment in December 2011. Nationwide, the 322 largest counties accounted for 70.7 percent of total U.S. employment. All four large counties in the state recorded decreases in average weekly wages from the fourth quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2011. Fairfield County recorded the largest decrease, down 4.6 percent. Fairfield County had the highest average weekly wage in the state at $1,589 and ranked 7th highest among the 322 largest counties nationwide. Nationally, the average weekly wage fell 1.7 percent over the year to $955 in the fourth quarter of 2011. See the complete report: USDOL-BLS [1]Note: Large counties are defined as those with employment of 75,000 or more as measured by 2010 annual average employment. |
• Women’s Earnings In Connecticut
 The women’s to men’s earnings ratio has been on the rise since 2008 advancing 2.8 percentage points during this two-year time span. Nationwide, women earned $669 or 81.2 percent of the $824 median for men. In Connecticut, the ratio of women’s to men’s earnings has fluctuated considerably since 1997, ranging from a low of 69.5 in 1998 to a high of 79.5 in 2007. Among the 50 states, median weekly earnings of women in full-time wage and salary positions in 2010 ranged from $530 in Arkansas to $835 in Connecticut. States with the highest wages for women were located along the Northeastern coastline. In addition to Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey also had wages above $800 and Maryland was close at $798. Across the nation, median weekly earnings for men were lowest in Arkansas at $640 and highest in Connecticut at $1,101, the same pattern that emerged for women. Five of the six states with wages above $950 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Virginia) were located along or close to the east coast. The sole exception was on the west coast—Washington. See the complete report: USDOL-BLS Note: Earnings in this report do not control for many factors that can be significant in explaining earnings differences. |
18 August 2012
• “EEOC Warns Against Silencing Employees During Investigations”
 ”The agency claimed that the policy was illegal under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of—including, but not limited to—race, sex, and religious belief.” Read the full analysis: Law.com |
• Two Connecticut Residents Have Contracted West Nile Virus
 The state says the first human case was found with a New Haven resident. Details: CTDPH |
17 August 2012
• Connecticut Added 5,000 Jobs in July, but Unemployment Jumped to 8.5%
 [1] The business establishment survey, which estimates payroll jobs in Unemployment Insurance covered businesses, indicates that Connecticut added 5,100 positions in July, a decent performance for recent times. [2] However, the household survey, which measures household employment, unemployment and our unemployment rate, indicates sharp decreases in employment, increases in unemployment and a strong increase in our unemployment rate to 8.5%. “The complete disagreement between our two key indicators of labor market health in Connecticut makes an assessment of market conditions difficult at best this month,” said Andy Condon, Director of the Office of Research at the Connecticut Department of Labor. “These programs have proven vital to our understanding of economic conditions in Connecticut, but we will have to wait until more data comes in to see if July’s results were a statistical anomaly or an early indicator of a turning point in the economy, as yet uncorroborated by other data.” NONFARM JOBS: The Connecticut July 2012 total nonfarm job estimate, seasonally adjusted, increased by 5,100 or 0.3% to 1,633,200. The first seven months of 2012 have now produced job growth of 9,700 (1,386 average per month net), just below last year’s pace of 10,400 (1,486 average per month net). Six of Connecticut’s ten major employing industries showed increases in July 2012, while four declined. Expanding industries were led by government (2,600, 1.1%). The public sector experienced a large job loss in June (-3,600, -1.5%) and seems to have ratcheted back this month with gains in local government (1,800, 1.2%) and state government (1,000, 1.5%), while federal government (-200, -1.1%) was lower. Education and health services, a strong gainer last month, again added jobs (2,400, 0.7%) in July, and leads all major industries in over-the-year job growth (13,000, 4.1%). Leisure and hospitality added 1,400 (1.0%) over the month. A nice gain from durable goods manufacturing (1,100, 0.9%) boosted the manufacturing (1,400, 0.9%) in July, while the nondurable goods (300, 0.8%) segment also increased. Other services (1,100, 1.9%) produced ample jobs this month with substantial gains coming from subdivisions related to summer camps. Professional and business services (200, 0.1%) showed a slight gain. The four declining industries were led by trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,600, -0.5%). Wholesale trade (700, 1.1%) and retail trade (-700, -0.4%) components had offsetting movements within the supersector. Construction & mining experienced a significant drop this month (-1,500, -3.0%). Financial activities (-700, -0.5%) also lost jobs, with both finance and insurance (-600, -0.5%) and real estate (-100, -0.5%) giving up positions. Information came in with a 200 job loss (-0.6%). RECESSION RECOVERY: Connecticut has now recovered 38,500, or 32.8%, of the 117,500 total nonfarm jobs lost in the March 2008 - February 2010 recessionary downturn. The private sector has now regained 48,300 (43.8%) of the 110,200 private jobs lost in that same recessionary period. The current job recovery highpoint in Connecticut (1,634,900) was reached in February 2012 during the record warm winter. Connecticut is just 1,700 jobs below this level (1,633,200) for July 2012. LABOR MARKET AREAS (LMAs): Four of the six major Connecticut Labor Market Areas had job gains in July 2012; while one declined and one was unchanged. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford (2,500, 0.5%) led in absolute growth over the month and New Haven had the best over-the-month percentage gain by a nose (1,700, 0.6%). Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk (2,200, 0.6%) had a strong overall showing this month as well. Waterbury had a slight monthly gain (100, 0.2%), and is leading in yearly percentage growth (1,400, 2.2%). Danbury was the only one to lose jobs this July (- 800, -1.2%). Norwich-New London was unchanged in employment this July and is the only LMA to have lost jobs over the year (-3,000, -2.3%). HOURS OF WORK: The workweek for employees in the private sector, not seasonally adjusted, averaged 34.0 hours in July 2012, up two-tenths of an hour from the July 2011 figure. WAGES: Average hourly earnings at $27.94, not seasonally adjusted, are now down twenty-one cents, or -0.7% below July 2011. The resulting average private sector weekly pay estimate was $949.96, down $4.33, or -0.5% over the year. LABOR FORCE DATA: Connecticut’s unemployment rate was estimated at 8.5% for July 2012. This is up four-tenths of a percentage point from June 2012, but four-tenths of a percentage point lower than July 2011 (8.9%). Connecticut’s seasonally adjusted labor force is calculated at 1,912,200 in July 2012, down 2,300 over the year (-0.1%), and down -6,600 (-0.3%) just from last month. Connecticut’s labor force peaked more than a year ago in February 2011, at an alltime high of 1,921,800, seasonally adjusted. UNEMPLOYMENT: Based on the household survey, the estimate of people unemployed, seasonally adjusted, was higher by 8,600 (5.6%) from June 2012 to 163,300 in July, and the unemployment rate bounced higher four-tenths of a percentage point to 8.5%. This is back to the same level measured for October 2011. The July 2012 United States unemployment rate was 8.3%, up one-tenth of a percentage point over the month. Connecticut is now back above the national unemployment rate. July’s average weekly initial unemployment claims for first-time Connecticut filers decreased over the month by 551 (-10.3%) to 4,802, and were lower by 220 claims from July 2011, or -4.4%.d SOURCE: CTDOL |
16 August 2012
• OSHA Cites Bridgeport Firm for Fall Hazards at 3 CT Worksites, Including 1 Where Worker Died
 "’This death was needless,’ said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. ‘Especially disturbing is the employer's recurring failure to adequately protect its workers against the number one killer in construction work, even after a fall claimed the life of one of its employees.’ “The investigation by OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office of the site where the fatality occurred, located at 344 Jenn Court in Shelton, found that neither fall protection, such as guardrails or lifelines, was provided for the workers, nor were they trained to recognize fall hazards. These conditions exposed them to falls of 30-40 feet from the roof. An additional fall hazard stemmed from the use of a damaged ladder to access the roof…. “The company, which faces a total of $77,400 in fines, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.” SOURCE: USDOL-OSHA |
• U.S. Housing Starts and Building Permits – July 2012
 Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 513,000; this is 4.5 percent (±0.8%) above the revised June figure of 491,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 274,000 in July. Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 746,000. This is 1.1 percent (±9.6%) below the revised June estimate of 754,000, but is 21.5 percent (±14.2%) above the July 2011 rate of 614,000. Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 502,000; this is 6.5 percent (±8.7%) below the revised June figure of 537,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 229,000. SOURCE: USDOC |
• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Up 2K
 The 4-week moving average was 363,750, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average of 369,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.6 percent for the week ending August 4, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending July 28 were in theVirgin Islands (4.5), Puerto Rico (4.0), Pennsylvania (3.9), New Jersey (3.8), Connecticut (3.6), Alaska (3.5), California (3.5), Rhode Island (3.3), New York (3.2), >and Nevada (3.1). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending August 4 were in California (+3,069), Pennsylvania (+2,534), Illinois (+1,165), Ohio (+1,018), and Missouri (+935), while the largest decreases were in Michigan (-4,157), New York (-2,653), Puerto Rico (-1,394), Tennessee (-318), and Florida (-300). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS |
15 August 2012
• U.S. Industrial Production – 4% Higher Than Year Ago – Still 2 Points Below 2007
 Manufacturing output rose 0.5 percent in July, the same rate of increase as was recorded for June. In July, the output of mines increased 1.2 percent, and the output of utilities rose 1.3 percent. At 98.0 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in July was 4.4 percent above its year-earlier level. Capacity utilization for total industry moved up 0.4 percentage point to 79.3 percent, a rate 1.0 percentage point below its long-run (1972--2011) average. SOURCE: Federal Reserve |
• U.S. Workers’ “Real” Pay Is Not Increasing
 Hourly Earnings Change for Year: The average hourly pay in the U.S. in July 2012 was $23.52, up 1.7% from July 2011. However, after accounting for the effects of inflation, real average hourly earnings were $10.28 [1982 dollars] compared to $10.26 in the same month a year ago…a 0.2% increase. Weekly Earnings Change for Year: The average weekly pay in the U.S. in July 2012 was $811.44, up 2.0% from July 2011. However, after accounting for the effects of inflation, real weekly earnings were $354.77 [1982 dollars] compared to $352.82 in the same month a year ago…a 0.6% increase. SOURCE: USDOL-BLS |
• U.S. Consumer Prices Up 1.4% for Year Ended July 2012
 CPI-W: The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 225.568 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. C-CPI-U: The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 131.352. For the month, the index decreased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Consumer Price Index for August 2012 : Scheduled to be released on Friday, September 14, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). SOURCE: USDOL-BLS |
14 August 2012
• U.S. Business Sales Fell 1% - June 2012
 Inventories: Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,580.3 billion, up 0.1 percent (±0.1%) from May 2012 and up 5.0 percent (±0.3%) from June 2011. Inventories/Sales Ratio: The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of June was 1.29. The June 2011 ratio was 1.26. SOURCE: USDOC |
• Connecticut Sees Continued Increase in West Nile Virus Mosquito Activity
 The mosquitoes were trapped by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station from June 27th to August 1st in: Bethel, Bridgeport, Cheshire, Chester, Danbury, Darien, East Haven, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Groton, Hartford, Killingworth, and Meriden. Also, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, New Haven, Newington, Newtown, North Branford, North Haven, Norwalk, Shelton, Stamford, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven, Westbrook, Westport, Wethersfield, and Wilton. SOURCE: CTDPH |
• 2012 Connecticut Sales Tax Holiday
 Nevertheless, the state will hold, at least for this year, a one-week sales and use tax exclusion for clothing and footwear costing less than $300. It will run from Sunday, August 19th thru Saturday, August 25th 2012. |
• Powered Industrial Trucks - August 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
 "This 2-hour workshop will cover safe work practices, methods of providing formal and practical training, and tools for operator evaluation. "Written handout materials will be provided to use in the development of your site-specific training program. "All classes are free and are held at the Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109, in Conference Room A. You must bring a photo ID with you on the day of the training or you will not be admitted to the building. "Pre-registration is required. To register for any of these classes or if you would like information on an occupational safety and/or health event posted on this page, contact John Able, able.john@dol.gov, 860-263-6902, or Catherine Zinsser, zinsser.catherine@dol.gov, 860-263-6942. SOURCE: CTDOL |
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