Tuesday, May 29, 2012

May 15, 2012


JUDGE TOSSES “AMBUSH ELECTIONS” RULE
FLAG Weekly - NAM

The “ambush elections” rule didn’t last long. It took effect on April 30, but just two weeks later a federal judge invalidated it. He didn’t rule on the merits, but found that a three-member quorum was not present when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) approved the rule.

It’s now important to make sure the rule doesn’t rise from the dead, as the judge indicated the NLRB could hold a new vote on the rule with a proper quorum.
Read the NAM’s summary of the case here..

CONSUMERS HOLD BACK IN APRIL
Today in Manufacturing
Lower gas prices in April weren't enough to embolden U.S. consumers to spend more elsewhere as retail sales rose 0.1 percent ...   continue
Many manufacturers today say they see greater productivity from their U.S. plants over those based overseas...   continue


U.S. BUSINESS STOCKPILES GREW IN MARCH
Today in Manufacturing
Inventories are expected to keep growing this year, but the gains aren't expected to return to their levels at the end of last year ...  continue


USMTO: MARCH MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY ORDERS RISE
Today in Manufacturing
March U.S. manufacturing technology orders were up 11.3 percent from February but down 1.4 percent up when compared to March 2011...  continue

Quick Manufacturing News
China's economic growth of the past 20 years has generally been met with declining happiness, especially among the poorest members of society, according to a U.S. analysis published on Monday. The study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is based on six different surveys on self-reported satisfaction with life since 1990, a period when China's gross domestic product per capita increased fourfold.

Quick Manufacturing News
Orders for new machine tools and related technology rose to $495.97 million in March versus $444.06 million in February, and brought Q1 2012 to a close with orders totaling $1.356 billion, a 12.9% improvement over the comparable period of 2011. "Manufacturing is expanding with no clear signal of a downturn in sight," stated Douglas K. Woods, AMT president. "However, remaining obstacles to future manufacturing investment include a lack of access to credit, global supply issues, encroaching industry regulations and taxes, and overall political uncertainty."

China's economic growth has decelerated from overheated to slower than Beijing wanted in just half a year, raising the threat of job losses and possible unrest … continue
Consumer prices were flat as cheaper gas offset modest increases for food, clothing and housing; data also indicates that inflation remains in check … continue


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