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BLS: Staffing Job Growth Continues in November

American Staffing Association (12/06/13) Steve Berchem

Seasonally adjusted employment data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that temporary help employment added 16,400 new jobs in November (up 0.6% from October). BLS also revised September and October estimates up by 16,000 and 21,800, respectively, boosting growth from relatively flat to being on par with recent trends.

In a year-to-year comparison, staffing firms employed 8.6% more temporary workers in November than in the same month a year ago, according to BLS.

Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, indicated that the staffing industry added 13,100 jobs in November (up 0.5% from October). On a year-to-year basis, there were 7.9% more staffing employees in November than in the same month last year.

Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 203,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate declined from 7.3% to 7.0%. Monthly job gains have averaged 193,000 over the past three months, BLS says. Employment increased in transportation and warehousing (31,000), health care (19,000), and manufacturing (27,000).

President Obama Speaks on Economic Mobility, Argues for Raising the Minimum Wage

White House (12/04/13)

In a recent speech, President Obama said income inequality “challenges the very essence of who we are as a people.” To address income inequality and decreasing upward mobility, the president is calling for an increase in the minimum wage, among other solutions. Although some people argue that raising the minimum wage is bad for business and hurts low-wage employees, there is no solid evidence that supports this, the president says. Rather, research indicates increasing the minimum wage boosts both incomes for low-wage employees and short-term economic growth. In fact, a growing number of businesses favor the minimum wage, according to the president.

Share Your Expertise With Industry Peers—Proposals Due Monday

Can you offer solutions for the challenges that staffing firms face today? The American Staffing Association is looking for staffing industry professionals to share their experience and expertise through presentations. ASA is also looking for professionals in business, workforce, workplace management, and other disciplines pertinent to the staffing industry.

As a presenter for ASA, you will have the opportunity to reach out to staffing industry professionals and build lasting connections. ASA is currently accepting workshop proposals for Staffing World® 2014, the ASA annual convention and expo. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is Monday, Dec. 9.

Proposals for ASAPro webinars are accepted on an ongoing basis. Earlier submissions are given priority.

Do you know of a staffing professional in your company who would be a perfect presenter for ASA? Asking your internal staff to submit a proposal helps show them how important they are as an employee and resource in your company.

For more information and to download submission guidelines, visit americanstaffing.net.

Welcome New ASA Members

The ASA board of directors and staff welcome the following new members, which joined during the week of Nov. 25.

Career Adventures

Shreveport, LA

Spark Talent Acquisition

Macomb, IL