AMN Healthcare Services News Release (09/15/15)

AMN Healthcare Services Inc. has acquired the First String Healthcare, a provider of interim staffing and permanent placement of nurse leaders and executives based in Irvine, CA.

Wall Street Journal (09/16/15) Josh Mitchell; Kate Davidson

Consumer prices declined in August, primarily because of depressed oil markets, marking the first decline since January and complicating the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision about when to increase interest rates. The consumer-price index fell 0.1% from July, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Excluding the energy and food categories, core prices increased 0.1%. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast overall prices would be flat and core prices would rise 0.1%.

Consumer prices increased just 0.2% in August from a year ago, while core prices rose 1.8%.

Meanwhile, employees’ inflation-adjusted weekly earnings increased 0.7% in August, according to a separate DOL report. Average hourly earnings, adjusted for inflation, increased 0.5%, the largest increase since January. The average work week grew 0.3%.

Associated Press (09/15/15)

Toys R Us plans to hire 40,000 new employees this holiday season, down from 45,000 last year. It also plans to give current employees and seasonal workers an opportunity to work more hours.

Meanwhile, United Parcel Service plans to hire 90,000 to 95,000 employees, on par with last year. In some cases the seasonal jobs may become permanent.

Wall Street Journal (09/15/15) Robert McMillan

Hewlett-Packard Co. has announced plans to cut an additional 25,000 to 30,000 employees as it prepares to split into two companies. Previously, the company announced it would lay off 55,000 employees.