employment

Good News on Jobs Front

Flo Jonic — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:19:12 +0000

Rhode Island’s unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in more than four years. The latest data from the state Labor Department indicates people may be finding work outside of the state.

Fund to Repair Roads and Create Jobs

Flo Jonic — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:57:14 +0000

Rhode Island cities and towns would have access to low-interest loans for road and bridge repairs under a bill unveiled Thursday by House Speaker Gordon Fox and state Treasurer Gina Raimondo. It’s being sold as a way to jump start the state’s sluggish construction trade.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:39:05 +0000

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse talks proposed gun control legislation. Students ask adults to take the NECAP test. These stories and more on the RIPR morning news podcast.

Plus, Moderate Party founder Ken Block is this week's guest on the Political Roundtable.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

Rhode Island Workers More Likely to Commute Out of State

Lydia Rogers — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:42:00 +0000

The US Census Bureau has released information about the commuting habits of Americans. It finds that Rhode Island residents are among those most likely to work in another state. Close to 13 percent of those living in the Ocean State work out-of-state.

The Census Bureau figures also show that the average commute in America is 25 minutes each way.

The Vulnerable Risk Going Unpaid

Ian Donnis — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:07:48 +0000

A workers’ rights group plans to hold a news conference Tuesday to call attention to what it calls a serious problem with unpaid wages.

Fuerza Laboral says it interviewed 32 people who reported a total of $170,000 in unpaid wages over the past five years.

The workers’ rights group says many cases of wage theft go unreported, since they often involve immigrants, the homeless and other vulnerable workers.

Fuerza Laboral is holding a news conference outside the State House to draw attention to the issue on unpaid wages.

Good news on the jobs front

Flo Jonic — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:31:46 +0000

A new analysis of labor data shows Rhode Island had a much stronger 3rd quarter than initially reported.

The state Department of labor and Training says there were 4900 more jobs during July, August and September of last year than previously estimated.

The number of Rhode Island-based jobs stood at 464,000, up 4900 from the official September 2012 estimate. The new estimate is basesd on the analysis of tax data from 32,000 businesses. The earlier estimate was based on a survey of businesses.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:06:45 +0000

RI braces for a record-making blizzard. Lawmakers are considering ways to help former convicts find jobs after release. These stories and more on the RIPR Morning News Podcast. Plus the guest on this week's Political Roundtable is Senator Harold Metts.

Summer job openings at state's parks

Flo Jonic — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:26:22 +0000

The state Department of Environmental Management is accepting applications for summer employment. The department is looking for 50 to 100 people for jobs that include lifeguard, parks ranger, and maintenance person.