Labor & Employment https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us State receives $13.2M to aid worker training, job hunting Two federal grants worth $13.2 million will be used by state labor officials to help workers train for and secure new jobs following layoffs and even reimburse employers for training workers in key industries. Two federal grants worth $13.2 million will be used by state labor officials to help workers train for and secure new jobs following layoffs and even reimburse employers for training workers in key industries. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8573 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/state-receives-132m-to-aid-worker-training-job-hunting FramatomeWorker2 Nuclear waste made workers sick. Despite a law meant to help, DOE keeps fighting their claims Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had been nearly a decade since medical experts diagnosed him with a neurological disease they attributed to his exposure to chemicals at work. In the time since, he had acquired a stutter, begun limping and lost several teeth biting into a banana. Lonnie Rouse shuffled into a wood-paneled conference room at the Washington state Capitol in March 2018. It had been nearly a decade since medical experts diagnosed him with a neurological disease they attributed to his exposure to chemicals at work. In the time since, he had acquired a stutter, begun limping and lost several teeth biting into a banana.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8567 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/nuclear-waste-made-workers-sick-despite-a-law-meant-to-help-doe-keeps-fighting-their-claims Albaugh-Hanford-Nuclear-Workers Amazon announces hundreds of seasonal jobs in the Tri-Cities Looking for a job, potentially something part time to help pay for your holiday celebrations? Amazon has opportunities. Looking for a job, potentially something part time to help pay for your holiday celebrations? Amazon has opportunities. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8554 Wed, 21 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-announces-hundreds-of-seasonal-jobs-in-the-tri-cities Amazon-Sunset-2 Study: Workers who fear AI replacement negatively impact workplaces If you’ve been sharing big plans to adopt artificial intelligence and related tools at your business with your employees, you could be making them less productive. If you’ve been sharing big plans to adopt artificial intelligence and related tools at your business with your employees, you could be making them less productive. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8536 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/study-workers-who-fear-ai-replacement-negatively-impact-workplaces Artificial-intelligence-AI Hiring slows in September with job growth of 29K thenderson@stateline.org Jobs across the United States rose by 29,000 in September, a disappointing result as recent growth was also revised down in the monthly jobs report released Oct. 2, the last one before midterm elections. Jobs across the United States rose by 29,000 in September, a disappointing result as recent growth was also revised down in the monthly jobs report released Oct. 2, the last one before midterm elections. 


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8459 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/hiring-slows-in-september-with-job-growth-of-29k WRPS welder 2024 Legislative staff in WA state Senate reject new contract The union representing staff of Democratic state senators in Washington has overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract, citing its lack of adequate protections for workers facing termination. The union representing staff of Democratic state senators in Washington has overwhelmingly rejected a new two-year contract, citing its lack of adequate protections for workers facing termination. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8453 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/legislative-staff-in-wa-state-senate-reject-new-contract Olympia WA’s nation-high minimum wage rising to nearly $18 an hour in 2027 Washington state’s minimum wage will grow by 60 cents per hour in 2027, reflecting the continuing impact of inflation and other cost-of-living increases on workers. Washington state’s minimum wage will grow by 60 cents per hour in 2027, reflecting the continuing impact of inflation and other cost-of-living increases on workers. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8452 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-minimum-wage-overtime-exempt-thresholds-set-to-rise-in-2027 MinimumWage_money WA state worker union OKs new contract with no pay hike In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on healthcare and other benefits. In a closely watched decision, Washington’s largest union of state government workers has ratified a new two-year contract that provides no pay raises but avoids takeaways on healthcare and other benefits.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8447 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-state-worker-union-oks-new-contract-with-no-pay-hike Striking-Workers L&I proposes workers’ comp rate increase The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% rate increase in 2027. Hearings are scheduled for public input. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% rate increase in 2027. Hearings are scheduled for public input.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8440 Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/l-and-i-proposes-workers-comp-rate-increase MinimumWage_money Columbia Ability Alliance launches Giving Blitz Columbia Ability Alliance is launching its annual Giving Blitz today. The five-day event seeks to raise money for the nonprofit’s programs. Columbia Ability Alliance is launching its annual Giving Blitz today. The five-day event seeks to raise money for the nonprofit’s programs.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8418 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/columbia-ability-alliance-launches-giving-blitz Columbia-Ability-Alliance Amazon upping minimum pay, adding other worker benefits Online retailer Amazon, which is expected to hire hundreds of additional workers in the Tri-Cities in the coming years, is looking to make its positions more appealing to potential employees. Online retailer Amazon, which is expected to hire hundreds of additional workers in the Tri-Cities in the coming years, is looking to make its positions more appealing to potential employees. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8404 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/amazon-upping-minimum-pay-adding-other-worker-benefits Amazon-Sunset-2 Builders between rock and hard place with labor force, materials costs Demand for construction workers is at an all-time high across the country, driving up wages at the same time builders are wrestling with escalating construction materials costs. Demand for construction workers is at an all-time high across the country, driving up wages at the same time builders are wrestling with escalating construction materials costs. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8390 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/builders-between-rock-and-hard-place-with-labor-force-materials-costs Population House build near new school Labor unions are growing, but where depends on state politics khardy@stateline.org Labor union membership continues to climb in the United States, though the increase remains sharply divided by the politics of individual states. Labor union membership continues to climb in the United States, though the increase remains sharply divided by the politics of individual states.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8360 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/labor-unions-are-growing-but-where-depends-on-state-politics Striking Workers Immigrant worker protections slated to begin Oct. 1 A new set of worker protections take effect Oct. 1, and state justice officials and business groups are advising business owners to learn what their new obligations are under the law. A new set of worker protections take effect Oct. 1, and state justice officials and business groups are advising business owners to learn what their new obligations are under the law. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8357 Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/immigrant-worker-protections-slated-to-begin-oct-1 Shrinking wine industry - Workers Mid-Columbia unemployment hits lowest level since mid-2025 After months of seeing the number of unemployed workers trend upward, July saw the number of those seeking work in the Tri-Cities decline to levels not seen since last year. However, the improvement was accompanied by a contraction in the region’s overall labor pool. After months of seeing the number of unemployed workers trend upward, July saw the number of those seeking work in the Tri-Cities decline to levels not seen since last year. However, the improvement was accompanied by a contraction in the region’s overall labor pool. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8322 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/mid-columbia-unemployment-hits-lowest-level-since-mid-2025 Potatoes Feature WA governor met with state worker protest at hospital construction ceremony Washington marked a milestone Aug. 28 with the final structural beam placed on a new psychiatric facility on the Western State Hospital campus in Pierce County. A few yards away, on the other side of a 6-foot chain-link fence, a different group of workers was not there to celebrate. The handful of state employees loudly chanted their displeasure with the progress of talks on a collective bargaining agreement with negotiators from Ferguson’s budget office.

Washington marked a milestone Aug. 28 with the final structural beam placed on a new psychiatric facility on the Western State Hospital campus in Pierce County.  A few yards away, on the other side of a 6-foot chain-link fence, a different group of workers was not there to celebrate. The handful of state employees loudly chanted their displeasure with the progress of talks on a collective bargaining agreement with negotiators from Ferguson’s budget office. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8314 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-governor-met-with-state-worker-protest-at-hospital-construction-ceremony Hospital protest.jpg Striking workers will need to seek jobs to qualify for WA unemployment benefits Workers involved in labor disputes must comply with the state’s rigorous job search requirements to receive benefits. This means actively seeking work and recording efforts to find another job. Workers involved in labor disputes must comply with the state’s rigorous job search requirements to receive benefits. This means actively seeking work and recording efforts to find another job. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8300 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8300-striking-workers-will-need-to-seek-jobs-to-qualify-for-wa-unemployment-benefits Hiring sign Survey: Physicians in corporate healthcare burning out, unable to put patients first Many physicians are increasingly burned out and looking to leave medicine and its largely because of the corporatization of healthcare, according to a recent survey. Many physicians are increasingly burned out and looking to leave medicine and its largely because of the corporatization of healthcare, according to a recent survey. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8297 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/survey-physicians-in-corporate-healthcare-burning-out-unable-to-put-patients-first Conflict brews over ag worker housing project A group of Mid-Columbia irrigators and the Washington Department of Ecology are sparring over a long-planned housing project for agricultural workers west of Paterson along the Columbia River. A group of Mid-Columbia irrigators and the Washington Department of Ecology are sparring over a long-planned housing project for agricultural workers west of Paterson along the Columbia River. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8276 Sun, 16 Aug 2026 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8276-conflict-brews-over-ag-worker-housing-project Farmworker Housing Today’s children could prosper in tomorrow’s shortage of young workers thenderson@stateline.org http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8241 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/todays-children-could-prosper-in-tomorrows-shortage-of-young-workers Welder Washington’s ‘incredibly frustrated’ public employees call for walkout Public employees represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees have announced plans for a statewide walkout on Aug. 31 in response to what they called subpar pay and program cuts. Public employees represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees have announced plans for a statewide walkout on Aug. 31 in response to what they called subpar pay and program cuts. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8201 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washingtons-incredibly-frustrated-public-employees-call-for-walkout Washington State Flag Why WA’s certification process for home care aides is getting bogged down jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com It’s been 15 years since Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative setting new standards for training and certifying home care aides. But while the changes included in Initiative 1163 have improved safety for people receiving care, the certification process for aides has been rife with bottlenecks, according to a new state audit. Most prospective aides don’t even finish the process. It’s been 15 years since Washington voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative setting new standards for training and certifying home care aides. But while the changes included in Initiative 1163 have improved safety for people receiving care, the certification process for aides has been rife with bottlenecks, according to a new state audit. Most prospective aides don’t even finish the process.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8173 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8173-why-was-certification-process-for-home-care-aides-is-getting-bogged-down In-Home-Care WA postal workers unite for Day of Action to protect the USPS Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization. Postal workers in Washington state and across the country are joining together for a day of action July 28 to protect the U.S. Postal Service from what organizers call the threat of privatization. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8168 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-postal-workers-unite-for-day-of-action-to-protect-the-usps USPS van delivery.jpg Letter Carrier WIlliam Velez inside new Promaster Van Study: Tens of millions of unhappy workers stay in jobs because of health insurance Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study. Nearly one in four U.S. workers – about 23 million adults – are staying put in jobs they want to leave because of the fear of losing healthcare coverage, according to a recent study. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8161 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/study-tens-of-millions-of-unhappy-workers-stay-in-jobs-because-of-health-insurance DoctorShortage Report: Tri-Cities job market contracts over past year Unemployment is markedly worse in the Tri-Cities compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released by the Washington Employment Security Department. Unemployment is markedly worse in the Tri-Cities compared to a year ago according to the latest figures released by the Washington Employment Security Department. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8160 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-tri-cities-job-market-contracts-over-past-year Workforce development council seeks new partners for services Has your organization developed an innovative way to help individuals develop workforce skills? The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council wants to hear from you. Has your organization developed an innovative way to help individuals develop workforce skills? The Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council wants to hear from you. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8154 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/workforce-development-council-seeks-new-partners-for-services Fired BFT CEO ruled eligible for unemployment benefits ty@tcjournal.biz Ben Franklin Transit won’t contest unemployment benefits for its fired CEO after the state found no misconduct in his termination. Ben Franklin Transit won’t contest unemployment benefits for its fired CEO after the state found no misconduct in his termination.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8093 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/drozt-unemployment-benefits Thomas Drotz Feature Overtime thresholds to change Jan. 1 Sitting down to start drafting your business’ budget for next year? You’ll want to make sure to account for coming changes to the state’s overtime salary threshold. Sitting down to start drafting your business’ budget for next year? You’ll want to make sure to account for coming changes to the state’s overtime salary threshold. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8114 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/overtime-thresholds-to-change-jan-1 MinimumWage_money Report shows impact of workplace-based financial education New research has shown that employees who participated in workplace-based financial education programs had stronger financial knowledge and capability than those who didn’t. New research has shown that employees who participated in workplace-based financial education programs had stronger financial knowledge and capability than those who didn’t.  

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8110 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/report-shows-impact-of-workplace-based-financial-education Money bills wages inflation salary Farm labor contractor faces fines for worker violations ty@tcjournal.biz A farm labor contracting company that manages workers at farms in Benton and Franklin counties, and connected to two other operations under state and federal scrutiny, is facing $700,000 in fines for farmworker violations. A farm labor contracting company that manages workers at farms in Benton and Franklin counties, and connected to two other operations under state and federal scrutiny, is facing $700,000 in fines for farmworker violations. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8077 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/farm-labor-contractor-faces-fines-for-worker-violations Farm worker