Government shutdown would hurt workers, Md. economy
WASHINGTON — A possible government shutdown starting Tuesday would cause federal agencies in Maryland to close or seriously cut back operations, resulting in significant hardship for federal workers, as well as declining economic output and lower tax revenue for the state. A shutdown is possible because House Republicans have tied government funding in the new […]
Some employers see perks of hiring older workers
Older people searching for jobs have long fought back stereotypes that they lack the speed, technology skills and dynamism of younger applicants. But as a wave of baby boomers seeks to stay on the job later in life, some employers are finding older workers are precisely what they need. “There’s no experience like experience,” said […]
Civil service rights limited for ‘sensitive’ jobs
WASHINGTON — A divided federal appeals court has ruled that government employees involved in sensitive but noncritical national security work aren’t entitled to a key civil service protection available to other government workers. The 7-3 ruling Tuesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington said the Merit Systems Protection Board can’t review dismissals and […]
Calling back to another era
Who would have thought that we would need to work with young people on how to answer the telephone and have the confidence to pick up that receiver and put it to their ear?
Worker productivity rises just 0.7 pct. in Q1
WASHINGTON — U.S. worker productivity barely grew from January through March after shrinking in the final three months of 2012. Weak productivity growth could prompt employers to hire more if consumers and businesses continue to increase spending. The Labor Department said Thursday that productivity rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.7 percent in […]
Employers eager for new foreign worker program
WASHINGTON — As desperate as unemployed Americans are to find work, there are still some jobs that many would never consider applying for because they are seen as too dirty, too demanding or just plain unappealing. But employers that struggle to fill those jobs — washing dishes, cleaning hotels, caring for the elderly — could […]
U.S. productivity fell at 2 percent rate in 4Q
WASHINGTON — U.S. worker productivity shrank in the final three months of 2012 although the decline was caused by temporary factors. Productivity contracted at an annual rate of 2 percent in the October-December quarter, the biggest drop since the first quarter of 2011, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Productivity had risen at a 3.2 percent […]
Judge rules for Inner Harbor ESPN Zone workers in WARN Act lawsuit
The Walt Disney Co. and Zone Enterprises of Maryland LLC owe employees of the former ESPN Zone in the Inner Harbor back pay for shutting down in 2010 without giving the notices required by federal law.
Baltimore casino may be built without unions
For months, labor unions — starry-eyed about the potential for thousands of jobs in casino construction — lobbied for expanded gambling in Annapolis, advertising their position on television and radio and campaigning in towns across the state.
Productivity grows at faster 2.9 pct. rate
WASHINGTON — U.S. workers were more productive this summer than initially thought, while costing their companies less. The Labor Department said Wednesday that productivity grew at an annual rate of 2.9 percent from July through September. That’s the fastest pace in two years and higher than the initial estimate of 1.9 percent. Labor costs dropped […]
Pepco, union agree to terms; strike likely averted
WASHINGTON — Pepco and its union say they have reached a tentative contract agreement that will likely avert a strike. The utility that covers the nation’s capital says the preliminary agreement is subject to a vote by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1900. The union posted a message on its website Sunday saying […]
Two ex-Comcast workers file overtime suit
Two former Maryland Comcast Corp. employees are suing the cable provider, claiming it owes them overtime wages.