Workforce & Talent

Kadlec nurses vote in favor of new contract

ty@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Safety improvements. Wage increases. Restful breaks. Nurses at Kadlec Regional Medical Center secured key gains in working conditions under a new contract ratified by members of the hospital’s nurses union on March 31, according to a release.

WA apprenticeship tackles child care shortage head-on

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A Washington nonprofit is addressing the need for child care and on-the-job training at the same time by using an apprenticeship model, which combines paid work and certification.

Washington’s gender wage gap is widening, study finds

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The wage gap between men and women in Washington is the second widest in the country.

WA faces construction job shortage, not skilled labor gap

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Over and over, we hear there is a “skilled labor shortage” in construction, and that we simply don’t have enough skilled workers to meet demand. But we see a very different reality every day as the people who train and represent this workforce.

Kadlec tackles region’s growing needs amid industry strains

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

As Kadlec and other health care providers work to meet the growing and diverse needs of the region, they’re also trying to navigate perennial and increasingly difficult challenges in the industry related to workforce management, growing costs and shrinking reimbursements for federally subsidized care.

This is a wellness issue employers can’t ignore

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:30:00 -0400

Menopause is a natural stage of life that affects millions of working women, yet it often remains overlooked in workplace wellness efforts. As organizations expand their focus on mental health, flexibility- and whole-person well-being, menopause deserves to be part of that conversation, not as a private issue, but as a workplace support need that can directly impact performance, engagement and retention.

Leadership Tri-Cities seeks applications for Class XXX

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0500

The leadership development program that has educated and nurtured hundreds of the region’s leaders for more than 30 years is seeking its next crop of students.

New Richland laundromat to offer inclusive workplace

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

When Jeffrey Peterson’s son Alexander received his first paycheck, the moment changed everything and ultimately sparked a business venture with an inclusive workplace.

U.S. manufacturing push faces shortage of skilled workers, electricity

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500

In the race to reshore manufacturing and stay ahead of foreign competition, America needs an abundance of added skilled workers and electricity sources.

Port takes next steps after suspending executive director

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500

Following the paid suspension of Executive Director Diahann Howard, the Port of Benton approved a contract presumably to investigate her actions and appointed an interim executive director at its Jan. 14 meeting.

Best Places to Work 2025 - Photo gallery

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:34:37 -0500

The Tri-Cities Journal of Business’ Best Places to Work Mid-Columbia 2025 program celebrated nine employers in the region that have demonstrated what it means to create a workplace and culture where employees can thrive.

Tri-City job market hasn’t shifted much toward degree-heavy work

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

The Tri-Cities job market is less degree-dependent than the state overall.

Hanford work continues but it’s unclear for how long

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history continues to roil the nation but work at the Hanford site is continuing for now.

Disability-focused nonprofit sells off commercial ventures

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

A Kennewick-based nonprofit is divesting some of its for-profit businesses to better concentrate resources on its mission of breaking down barriers to help empower individuals.

Workforce group marks year of impact, launches push for community engagement

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Nearly 600 job seekers and several small business owners across the region gained new skills, jobs and funding in the past year, thanks to the Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council.

Online university aims to train future workforce

rachel@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

This online-only university is helping nearly 1,000 students across Benton and Franklin counties get degrees while staying in their homes – and their jobs.

Programs aim to bolster nuclear tech pipeline for next generation

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

With many retiring from the nuclear industry, preparing the industry’s next generation, especially with small modular reactors, or SMRs, on the horizon, is crucial.

Amazon earmarks $2.5B to skills training

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Amazon wants to help prepare at least 50 million people for the future of work.

Expected slide in WA unemployment trust fund balance could trigger new tax

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:11:06 -0500

Washington businesses would need to shoulder roughly $700 million in additional taxes in a few years unless the projected finances of the state’s unemployment insurance fund improve.

Worker protections to be applied to more WA businesses in 2026

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

2026 is just around the corner and that means more small businesses will soon be required to follow the state’s paid family and medical leave job protections for their employees.

Amazon to cut 14K corporate roles, looking at other automation efficiencies

ty@tcjournal.biz — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

One of the world’s largest corporations is trimming its corporate staffing and reportedly eyeing other ways to cut its massive workforce.

WA Employment Security reduces call center hours to expedite unemployment claims

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Those calling the state to check on their unemployment benefits or ask questions now have a smaller window to connect with a customer service representative.

State sees unemployment claims climb during federal shutdown

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Thousands more Washingtonians have filed for unemployment benefits since the beginning of the federal government shutdown, though it’s both a growing number of federal and private sector workers lining up for assistance.

Kadlec trims therapy services as financial pressures mount

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s therapy services are cutting staff, as the regional hospital in Richland follows staffing reductions made at other Providence facilities in response to financial pressures.

Layoffs, uncertainty continue at PNNL amid government shutdown

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Belt-tightening and uncertainty continue to grip Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as research programs hang in the balance between a swing in federal policy toward clean energy and congressional deadlock over a federal budget.

Lamb Weston pulls Connell plant from market, invests in Pasco plant

ty@tcjournal.biz — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Lamb Weston has taken its shuttered Connell plant off the market and plans to invest millions in its Pasco plant as it starts a new fiscal year with some signs of improving fortunes.

Area manufacturing remains robust but clouds are on horizon

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Manufacturing continues to be one of the fastest growing of the large industry sectors.

Federal shutdown delays release of WA employment data

efitzgerald@washingtonstatestandard.com — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The state Employment Security Department was scheduled to release its regular monthly employment report for September 2025 on Oct. 15, but it will be delayed until the federal shutdown ends.

State announces higher minimum wage for 2026

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

The increasing cost of everything – from food to energy to doctor’s office visits – means Washington state employers paying minimum wage to workers must increase their pay come Jan. 1.

Financial woes, tax questions dog WA family, medical leave program

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 21:00:00 -0400

Washington state’s paid family and medical leave program is facing challenges on multiple fronts, from solvency issues to unexpected tax liabilities for workers and employers.