The number of ongoing unemployment claims were up last week. Continuing claims were up by more than 5,878 in the last week -- along with an increase of 1,095 new claims. Iowa Workforce Development says around 69% of the new claims were not COVID-19 related -- and likely related to season layoffs … [Read more...]
Economist says impact of pandemic still felt in job numbers
Iowa’s unemployment rate has steadily dropped back down after hitting a peak when the coronavirus hit -- but the pandemic has still left a hole in the state’s workforce. Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson says most of the drop is not from people getting back to work -- it's from people … [Read more...]
State incentives approved for Dubuque, Cedar Rapids businesses
The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board approved state incentives for two companies with the promise of the creation of 284 new jobs. Economic Development Authority spokesperson, Kanan Kappelman, says Simmons Pet Food plan to bring some of its operations to eastern Iowa. "The company plans … [Read more...]
ABI survey shows lots of confidence among member businesses
The president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry says he's excited by what he sees in a survey of members on what they expect in the first quarter of the new year. ABI President Mike Ralston says the survey results are positive in almost every area. "The manufacturers who responded … [Read more...]
Weekly unemployment numbers go back down
Unemployment claims dropped last week after a big spike in the previous week. Continuing weekly unemployment claims dropped by 3,634 in the past week after a jump of nearly 5,4oo the week before. Total ongoing unemployment claims were 38,748. Iowa Workforce Development said in its weekly … [Read more...]
Hinson open to raising Social Security retirement age
Congresswoman-elect Ashley Hinson of Cedar Rapids says to stabilize the Social Security system, she's open to the idea of raising the age when younger Americans may begin receiving benefits. "I think it's my job now to go in and try to make some of those tough decisions to fix and make sure it is … [Read more...]
Unemployment claims jump up in last week
The number of unemployment claims shot up in the last week. First time claims were up by nearly 5,390 in the last week and the number of continuing claims was up 9,409. Iowa Workforce Development says the increase in continuing claims was due primarily to construction and manufacturing claims … [Read more...]
Opening round of negotiations over next union contract
The union representing the largest percentage of state government workers is requesting a three percent, across-the-board raise for employees. Negotiations have begun on the next two-year union contract. Danny Homan, president of AFSCME Council 61, says many state employees have been critical … [Read more...]
Seasonal layoffs showing up in unemployment claims
More than 6,300 Iowa workers filed an initial claim for unemployment benefits last week. That's about 1,100 more first-time claims for unemployment than the previous week. It mirrors the national trend in rising claims for unemployment benefits. A news release from Iowa Workforce Development … [Read more...]
Unemployment numbers continue to fall
The number of unemployed Iowans continues to drop. The number of continuing unemployment claims dropped by nearly 2,500 in the last week and they are now below 40,000 (39,615). Ongoing claims peaked at more than 189-thousand during the pandemic shutdowns in May. The drop in overall claims came … [Read more...]