U.S. President Joe Biden's Labor Department on Wednesday rescinded a Trump-era rule that would have made it easier for U.S. businesses to classify workers as independent contractors instead of employees.
The Labor Department under the Biden administration blocked a Trump-era rule Wednesday that would’ve made it easier for companies to classify workers as independent contractors instead of employees under federal law.
The move comes one week after Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told Reuters that many gig workers should be classified as “employees” who deserve company benefits.
His boss, President Biden, is a big supporter of labor unions.
Gig workers are independent contractors who perform on-demand services, such as childcare providers and drivers working for companies like Uber and DoorDash.
The rule under the Trump administration would have made it harder for workers to earn a minimum wage and get paid overtime.
That rule was supposed to take effect last month but did not because the Biden Administration was reviewing it.
The withdrawal takes effect Thursday.
On Wall Street Wednesday, shares of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash fell more than 2% in early trading.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday as he wrapped up a three-day visit to China dominated by contentious issues and warnings from his hosts of another “downward spiral” in relations. The two met Friday afternoon local time at the Great Hall of the People, an ornate and cavernous building next to Tiananmen Square. Blinken told Xi that President Joe Biden had sent him to China to “seek to deepen areas of cooperation as well as to responsibly manage the differences that we have.” Xi noted that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and said the two countries “should be partners rather than adversaries.”
#BlinkenXiMeeting #ChinaUSRelations #DiplomaticTalks #GlobalIssues #BilateralRelations #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #USChinaDialogue #XiJinpingMeeting
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Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
President Biden signs historic legislation securing billions in US aid for Ukraine and Israel, reaffirming America's commitment to global security. Despite criticisms over human rights abuses in Gaza, Biden emphasizes the 'ironclad' nature of US support for Israel's defense. Stay informed with the latest developments on international affairs.
#JoeBiden #Israel #Gaza #IsraelHamasWar #IsraelPalestine #IsraelPalestineWar #USPresident #USNews #USAidBill #RussiaUkraineWar #Oneindia
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President Biden had yet another teleprompter gaffe while speaking at a conference Wednesday ... and it's not the first time the prez fumbled a speech, far from.. TMZ.com
March Retail Sales , Exceeded Expectations.
New Commerce Department data surprised
some analysts on April 15, 'The Hill' reports. .
The agency's latest estimates indicate
that March retail sales increased by 0.7%.
They were only expected
to rise 0.3% last month.
While sales exceeded estimates for March, the jump
was still below the 0.9% increase in February.
Compared to the same time last year, total sales
for the first three months of 2024 were up 2.1%.
On April 10, the Labor Department released data showing that inflation rose last month. .
The consumer price index (CPI)
increased 0.4% in March and 3.5% annually.
In February, consumer prices
increased 3.2% year-over-year. .
Still, the newest Commerce Department data suggests that Americans continue to spend despite prolonged inflation, 'The Hill' reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Data Shows , US Wages Falling , at a 'Striking' Pace.
Fox News reports that wage growth
in the United States has slowed
significantly over the past year. .
According to new data from Indeed,
wage growth is beginning
to near pre-pandemic levels. .
Indeed's wage tracker showed that salaries have had
a marked drop since January 2022, suggesting that
employers are seeing less competition for new hires.
The pace of deceleration
is striking. Posted wage growth
has fallen by almost 3 percentage
points over the past year, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
Fox News reports that the most pronounced
deceleration was found in low-wage sectors. .
Given the huge run-up in posted
wages for those sectors, wage growth
is still above its pre-pandemic pace.
How long this will last is uncertain, Nick Bunker, Indeed labor economist, via Fox News.
After remaining historically tight throughout the last
year, the labor market is expected to continue slowing
in the coming months amid elevated interest rates.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
Since March of 2022, the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates 11 times in an attempt to slow down inflation and cool the labor market.
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
In 2024, there have already been a number of significant layoffs, with major companies like Alphabet, Amazon and Citigroup cutting jobs. .
Despite this, job growth has
remained resilient, with employers
adding 275,000 jobs in February. .
At the same time, Labor Department
data shows that the unemployment
rate for the month also rose to 3.9%.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Donald Trump managed a partial victory in the Supreme Court today, as justices delayed any potential decision on his immunity case over election riots. Sky News
Biden Administration to Invest $8.5 Billion , in Intel’s Computer Chip Plants.
Biden Administration to Invest $8.5 Billion , in Intel’s Computer Chip Plants.
In addition to $8.5 billion in direct funding, $11 billion will be provided in loans.
The money will come from
the CHIPS and Science Act.
The funds will go toward "computer chip
plants in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico
and Oregon," CBS News reports. .
According to Intel, the new funding and other investments will create a total of 30,000 jobs in manufacturing and construction.
According to Intel, the new funding and other investments will create a total of 30,000 jobs in manufacturing and construction.
The deal will help the U.S. to produce 20%
of the most advanced computer chips
in the world by 2030, according to
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Failure is not an option — leading-edge
chips are the core of our innovation
system, especially when it comes
to advances in artificial intelligence
and our military systems, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on a call with reporters.
We can't just design chips.
We have to make them in America, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, on a call with reporters.
Biden's funding announcement comes
amid a heated presidential campaign.
Administration officials want to get chip technology funding
"out the door as quickly as possible so that the Biden campaign can point to concrete progress on one of the
White House's signature programs," analysts say.
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger called the
CHIPS Act "the most critical industrial
policy legislation since World War II.".
We think of this as a defining
moment for the United States, the
semiconductor industry and for Intel, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A Trump appointee serving on West Point’s advisory board has repeatedly spread a conspiracy that the Biden administration is bringing in non-White immigrants as part of a “grand plan” to have..
Brian Stelter says the Justice Department’s secret collection of reporter phone records has been a “bipartisan practice,” but President Biden is vowing to stop it. Perry Bacon Jr. and Claire..
Biden and Harris Return to Tradition
With Release of 2020 Tax Returns.
On Monday, President Joe Biden and Vice President
Kamala Harris released their 2020 tax returns. .
The White House tradition..
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:03Published