Facing a looming demographic disaster, the Pine Tree State must take steps to attract more young people to put down roots, U.S. Sen. Angus King said this week. “The biggest barrier to Maine’s growth over the next 20 years is people,” the Maine independent said. One way to help, King said, may be to tap […]
employment
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Maine unemployment fell again in December
AUGUSTA (AP) – Maine’s unemployment rate fell slightly again in December. The Maine Department of Labor says the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.0 percent in December was down 0.3 percentage points from November. It was also down from 3.8 percent a year ago. Maine’s unemployment rate was lower than the national rate of […]
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Age-based employment ads on social media concern Collins
Concerned that social media sites are fostering age discrimination by allowing companies to target employment advertisements to younger users, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is seeking answers from Facebook, Google and LinkedIn about what they are doing to prevent bias against older workers. In a joint letter with U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, D-Penn., the Maine Republican […]
Posted inMaine
Welcome center for immigrants in Lewiston gains support
AUGUSTA — A proposal to add a welcome center for immigrants in Lewiston survived a committee session this week that stripped away a companion provision to create an Office of New Mainers to try to attract more newcomers to the state. With backing from the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, the Legislature will consider whether […]
Posted inMaine
State labor chief Jeanne Paquette to step down
AUGUSTA — Maine’s commissioner of labor, Jeanne Paquette, is leaving her position after nearly five years to take a job with the University of Southern Maine. Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he’s proud of the work done by Paquette “to improve services for Maine workers and the businesses that employ them.” Paquette, a former […]
Posted inBusiness
Maine hits record low unemployment rate
Maine’s unemployment rate continues to improve, setting a new record low in March when only 3 percent of Mainers seeking jobs were without one. Nationally, the rate was at 4.5 percent. The initial estimate of nonfarm payroll jobs in March reached 623,000, a new high. That’s up by 5,300 from this time last year, statistics […]
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Gov. Paul LePage says he tips servers less to push political point
Gov. Paul LePage takes an order while tending bar at the Quarry Tap Room in Hallowell on Monday. LePage was the celebrity bartender to benefit a foundation set up by quadruple amputee Travis Mills to help fellow military veterans. Here’s a heads-up for anyone waiting on tables around Maine: You might want to be wary […]
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Employment opportunities sought
RUMFORD — The Hope Association is seeking employment opportunities with area businesses for people with disabilities. The association works with the Rural Employment Network, which utilizes a variety of state and federally funded resources to help employers recruit, hire, retain and promote people with disabilities. The network has placed more than 40 individuals successfully in the past […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web, Uncategorized
Maine unemployment rate is lowest since 2001
Maine’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 16 years. The state’s January unemployment rate of 3.5 percent is the lowest it’s been since March 2001, according to the Maine Department of Labor. The preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down from 3.8 percent in December, down 1,300 people over the year to 24,300 […]
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U.S. adds 235,000 jobs; unemployment dips to 4.7%
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added a robust 235,000 jobs in February and raised pay at a healthy pace, evidence that the economy remains on solid footing nearly eight years after the Great Recession ended. The unemployment rate dipped to a low 4.7 percent from 4.8 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday. More people began looking […]