TrueBlue News Release (02/08/11)

TrueBlue Inc. has reported revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 of $350 million, an increase of 12% compared to revenue of $312 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $7.6 million, compared to net income of $4.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.

In a conference call with investors, TrueBlue chief executive officer Steve Cooper said, “Revenues continue to show strong growth, and gross margins also look strong here in the beginning of 2012.”

For the first quarter of 2012, TrueBlue estimates revenue in the range of $300 to $310 million.

Wall Street Journal (02/10/12) Conor Dougherty

New claims for unemployment insurance declined 15,000 to 358,000 last week, the government reported Feb. 9, and the four-week moving average, at 366,250, reached its lowest level since April 2008. Economists welcomed the news, but some expressed caution that the job market could still stumble.

The recent warm weather likely contributed to more job creation in January and is also playing a part in declining jobless claims, because warm weather spurs building projects and other activities. In fact, a number of states said their jobless claims indicated fewer layoffs in construction. Furthermore, the volatility caused by hiring around the holidays seems to be subsiding.

Wall Street Journal Online (02/09/12) Samantha Gross

In a State of the City speech on Feb. 9, New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn said the council is considering a measure that would make it illegal for city employers to not hire applicants because they are unemployed, which she considers to be discrimination. Similar bills are being considered by state and federal lawmakers. Another proposal announced by Quinn would assist small businesses in hiring in neighborhoods with high unemployment rates using federal tax credits.

Healthcare IT News (02/09/12) Bernie Monegain

A recent brief from eHealth Initiative concludes more health information technology job opportunities are available than qualified people to fill them. “Given the prevailing air of economic uncertainty in the U.S. and the unprecedented level of support for health information technology from the federal government, growth in health information systems may represent an untapped market for both job creation and market savings,” the brief states.

The issue brief notes there are large numbers of new job opportunities available at organizations focused on exchanging health care data. A large number of health information exchange initiatives are facing a shortage of staff with IT experience, with more than 25% of respondents reporting that they are short on staff with IT experience. Clinical software implementation and support (which includes jobs such as project managers, analysts, application coordinators, report writers, trainers, informatics staff, and technical writers) are identified as the skill sets most in demand.