Economic Snapshots http://epi.bluestatedigital.com/index.php en cbarbee@epi.org Copyright 2009 2009-07-01T06:01:04-05:00 Mass layoffs at highest level since at least 1995 http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090701/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090701/#When:06:01:04Z While some businesses might let go of a couple of workers, many others are laying off entire divisions, or are simply going belly up. This week's Snapshot examines this recession's record-setting mass layoff trend. Health Care, Employer Coverage, Wages and Living Standards, Jobs 2009-07-01T06:01:04-05:00 Germany protects jobs http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090624/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090624/#When:10:55:29Z Germany's unemployment has remained stable, thanks, in part, to their labor market policies. Trade and Global Integration, Jobs and Wages, Wages and Living Standards, Jobs, Income and Wages 2009-06-24T10:55:29-05:00 Honor thy father http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090617/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090617/#When:06:00:27Z The United States, along with Australia, are the only nations in a study of wealthy countries to provide no paid parental leave for fathers or mothers. Wages and Living Standards, Jobs 2009-06-17T06:00:27-05:00 Commencing unemployment http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090610/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090610/#When:06:11:21Z The latest unemployment data for young college graduates show that 2009 is the second worst year on record. Wages and Living Standards, Jobs 2009-06-10T06:11:21-05:00 Community banks: Small enough to fail http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090603/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090603/#When:14:40:01Z So far this year, 36 banks and savings institutions have failed, compared to 25 in all of 2008, and the number is almost certain to grow. Bailout Analysis, Economic Performance, Recession/Stimulus 2009-06-03T14:40:01-05:00 Increases in minimum wage boost consumer spending http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090527/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090527/#When:14:20:05Z Two recent increases in the minimum wage will have generated an estimated $4.9 billion of consumer spending by July 2009. Economic Performance, Recession/Stimulus, Wages and Living Standards, Minimum Wage 2009-05-27T14:20:05-05:00 Employers can stall first union contract for years http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090520/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshot_20090520/#When:11:45:00Z A lack of real penalties for employers means that most new union shops won’t see an actual collective bargaining agreement for years. Labor policy, Union Benefits and Right to Organize 2009-05-20T11:45:00-05:00 The myth of private-sector performance pay http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090513/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090513/#When:11:00:55Z Should teachers be forced into a pay-for-performance system when so few others are? Education, Teacher Pay 2009-05-13T11:00:55-05:00 No paid leave for new moms http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090506/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090506/#When:21:00:43Z The United States holds the distinction of being the only country among its peers that does not guarantee paid maternity leave. Labor policy, Wages and Living Standards 2009-05-06T21:00:43-05:00 Unusually bad and getting worse http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090429/ http://www.epi.org/economic_snapshots/entry/snapshots_20090429/#When:15:20:25Z How does last quarter's GDP performance compare to the average for other recessions? Economic Performance, GDP Reports 2009-04-29T15:20:25-05:00