Posts for November 16, 2010

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FLAT IN OCTOBER

Today in Manufacturing
U.S. industrial production was unchanged in October; as a sharp drop in utility output offset gains by manufacturers producing big-ticket goods ... continue

WHOLESALE PRICES RISE ON HIGHER GAS COSTS

Today in Manufacturing
Prices rose in October for the fourth straight month as the cost of gas increased by the most since January ... continue

CONGRESS RETURNS, EXTOLLING FAIRNESS

FLAG Weekly Communication
The most threatening piece of anti-employer legislation in the lame-duck session is S. 3772, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which could come up for a cloture vote in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill extends federal government control over wage and benefit decisions made by management, removes limits on awards in employment discrimination litigation, and makes participation in class-action lawsuits a matter of opt-out, rather than opt-in. On Monday, Nov. 15, the National Association of Manufacturers sent a “Key Vote” letter to the Senate opposing the legislation.

Excerpt:
By removing all limits to punitive and compensatory damage awards on claims made under the Equal Pay Act, S. 3772 would expose employers to increased threats of litigation – even when unintentional pay disparities may have occurred. Its passage would likely prompt many employers to purchase additional legal liability insurance, increasing their costs and decreasing their ability to raise wages, increase benefits or hire new workers. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the bill would not lead to lower wages and fewer jobs.

The legislation would invite even more frivolous class-action suits. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC found no “reasonable cause” in over 95 percent of the more than 93,000 charges of discrimination it received in fiscal year 2009. A study of previous years yields similar results.

Or, as The Chicago Tribune commented in a critical editorial, “Bring on the trial lawyers.”

CONTAINERIZED IMPORTS FALL NEARLY 3% IN OCTOBER

Quick Manufacturing News
Zepol Corp., a trade intelligence company, reports that import shipment volume for October, measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), decreased 2.72% from September and increased 12.84% over October 2009. The total number of shipments also fell 2.72% from September and rose 10.23% over last October. Click to continue

U.S. WANTS CHINA TO RECIPROCATE GREEN ENERGY SUBSIDIES

Quick Manufacturing News
Foreign firms, including Chinese companies, qualify for U.S. clean energy subsidies but barriers, such as Beijing's local content requirements, exclude U.S. companies receiving government help in China. Click to continue

HIGHER FACTORY OUTPUT LIFTS HOPES FOR ECONOMY

Today in Manufacturing
After leading the economy out of recession last year and then flagging over the summer, manufacturers might be getting a second wind ... continue