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Is WV’s Economic ‘Comeback’ Real?

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This article was originally posted at the Charleston Gazette-Mail. You can read the original here. Over the last few months there has been a flurry of op-eds and articles from big corporations and Republican lawmakers arguing that state budget cuts and low-wage policies like “Right-to-Work” are resulting in a booming economy in our state. Some […]

Formerly Industrial Belt States Lag Nation in Blue Collar Job Growth

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Five states saw a significant increase in total non-farm employment in June. Massachusetts led the way, with an increase of 0.6 percent from May to June or an additional 21,400 jobs. Tennessee saw an increase of 0.4 percent or 13,000 jobs. Georgia, Illinois and North Carolina all saw an increase of 0.3 percent or 14,200, […]

Manufacturing Jobs Surge in South and Southwest

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Employment in the blue collar jobs industries of manufacturing, construction, and mining and logging grew by 47,000 in May. By industry, only 12 states saw a drop in manufacturing jobs. Of the states reporting seasonally adjusted data, 16 saw a decrease in the number of construction jobs and seven saw a drop in mining and […]

Despite Recent Gains, Blue Collar Employment Remains Well Below Prerecession Levels

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Employment in blue collar jobs rose by 49,000 in April, an increase of 0.2 percent. Since last April, employment in mining and logging (combined), manufacturing, and construction has increased by 561,000 or 2.8 percent. Together, these jobs accounted for 13.8 percent of jobs in April. In the Midwestern industrial belt, blue collar employment fell by […]