employment Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Federal grants could improve utility safety and add jobs

By Lauren Gallup November 1, 2023

The federal Grid Resilience and Innovations Partnerships Program is investing in 58 projects across 44 states. (Courtesy of Julien Maculan on Unsplash)

Four utilities in Washington state received funding from the U.S Department of Energy to strengthen the electrical grid against future wildfires and ensure reliability to customers. That funding comes from the federal Grid Resilience and Innovations Partnerships Program, which is investing in 58 projects across 44 states. Read More

Washington closes Larch prison as staff push back over jobs, wildfire risk

By Northwest News Network October 10, 2023

A handful of people stand holding a bright yellow banner that reads "Our Community Needs Larch" as the back of a bus is seen driving past them.

Larch staff have pushed back against the closure of the minimum security since plans were announced this summer, including filing a lawsuit that they hoped would pause the closure. A […]Read More

What will happen to employees at WestRock Paper Mill when it closes?

By Lauren Gallup September 5, 2023

About 400 workers were laid off from the WestRock Paper Mill in Tacoma last year. Now, the company's Seattle packaging plant is slated to close in March. (Credit: Lauren Gallup / NWPB)

With the impending closure of the WestRock Paper Mill in Tacoma, about 400 workers could be displaced. “It's really significant,” said Chelsea Mason-Placek, who is the workforce development director for the Washington State Labor Council. “This is a much larger layoff than we typically see.”Read More

A $500 Sign-On Bonus To Deliver Pizzas? Here’s What To Know About Hiring Incentives

By NPR News July 6, 2021

In need of workers, a Domino's franchise in Washington, D.C., is offering a sign-on bonus for all positions. CREDIT: Andrea Hsu/NPR

With a record 9.3 million jobs open in the U.S. as of April, and a workforce in no hurry to get back to work, a growing number of employers are looking to hiring bonuses to fill their ranks. Long a tradition on Wall Street, sign-on bonuses are rare in low-wage work such as fast food, warehousing and food delivery. Now, as the economy has picked up, hiring bonuses are everywhere.Read More

Signs Of Economic Boom Emerge As Retail Sales Surge, Jobless Claims Hit Pandemic Low

By NPR News April 15, 2021

Diners eat lunch at Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford, Conn., on March 19. Retail sales surged last month as $1,400 relief payments and easing coronavirus restrictions led shoppers to open their wallets. Jessica Hill/AP

Signs of an economic boom are emerging as Americans open up their wallets to spend freely. Retail sales soared 9.8% in March, according to a report Thursday from the Commerce Department. The increase follows a 2.7% slump in February, which analysts blamed partly on severe winter weather.Read More

Federal grants could improve utility safety and add jobs

Washington closes Larch prison as staff push back over jobs, wildfire risk

What will happen to employees at WestRock Paper Mill when it closes?

A $500 Sign-On Bonus To Deliver Pizzas? Here’s What To Know About Hiring Incentives

Signs Of Economic Boom Emerge As Retail Sales Surge, Jobless Claims Hit Pandemic Low

About Half Of U.S. Homes Lost Wages During Pandemic, Census Bureau Finds

CDC Announces New Guidance For How Critical Employees Can Return To Work

U.S. Added 273,000 Jobs Last Month, But Economists Brace For Coronavirus Impact

LGBTQ Employees Are Already Protected In Washington State, No Matter What SCOTUS Rules

1.3 Million More Workers May Be Eligible For Overtime Pay. But There’s A Catch

From The Warehouse To IT: Amazon Offering 100,000 Workers Tech Training

This California City Has The Nation’s Worst Job Market: ‘I’m Applying Everywhere’

Hiring Rebounds In June As Employers Add 224,000 Jobs

Oregon’s New Equal Pay Act Goes Into Full Effect In 2019