Latest U.S. Department of Labor News

Stock market today: Stocks edge lower after a holiday pause for US markets

Dec. 26, 2024 11:26 AM EST

Stocks edged lower on Wall Street Thursday morning after U.S. markets reopened for trading after the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 23 points, or 0.1%, as of...

US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high

Dec. 26, 2024 09:34 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21, the Labor Department reported...

Next Week: Retail sales, newly constructed homes, unemployment benefit claims

Dec. 20, 2024 14:05 PM EST

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming next week. Retail review Redbook Research releases its weekly gauge of retail sales on Tuesday. The report is a key indicator of retailers’ performance because it measures...

US applications for unemployment benefits come back down after last week's big rise

Dec. 19, 2024 08:52 AM EST

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell markedly last week following a big increase the week before. Jobless claim applications declined by 22,000 to 220,000 for the week of Dec. 14, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 229,000...

Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretary

Dec. 16, 2024 13:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday established a national monument honoring the late FDR-era Labor Secretary Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet and a driving force behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs after the Great Depression. ...

Senate report alleges Amazon rejected warehouse safety recommendations due to productivity concerns

Dec. 16, 2024 12:59 PM EST

At least two internal Amazon studies found a link between how quickly the online retailer's warehouse workers perform tasks and workplace injuries, but the company rejected many safety recommendations out of concern the proposed changes might reduce productivity, according to a U.S. Senate...

US applications for jobless benefits rise to highest level in 2 months but remain relatively low

Dec. 12, 2024 09:04 AM EST

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits jumped to their highest level in two months last week but remain low relative to historical standards. Jobless claim applications climbed by 17,000 to 242,000 for the week of Dec. 7, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s...

Next Week: small business index, consumer prices, producer prices

Dec. 06, 2024 14:05 PM EST

A look at some of the key business events and economic indicators upcoming this week. Business barometer The National Federation of Independent Business serves up its small business economic trends index on Tuesday. The monthly index tracks small...

US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown

Dec. 06, 2024 11:00 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a...

US applications for jobless benefits rise last week but remain at low levels

Dec. 05, 2024 11:03 AM EST

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remains at historically healthy levels. Jobless claim applications rose by 9,000 to 224,000 for the week of Nov. 30, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That's more than the 214,000 analysts were...