+++ U.S. Jobless Claims Spike to 432,000 +++
 

Expect more if Hurricane Rita inflicts Big damage coming Saturday.

:smokin

------------------------------------
U.S. Jobless Claims Spike to 432K
Thursday, September 22, 2005

WASHINGTON ? Hurricane Katrina's (search) aftermath fueled a surge in initial U.S. claims for jobless aid last week to 432,000, the highest level in more than two years, the government said Thursday.

The number of Americans requesting first-time unemployment benefits rose a relatively modest 8,000 the week ended Sept. 17 after a revised 97,000 jump the prior week. The previous week's change was the biggest seasonally adjusted one-week jump since July 25, 1992.

Private economists had expected claims would rise to 440,000 from the Labor Department's (search) original reading of 398,000 in the Sept. 10 week.

Unadjusted for seasonal factors, jobless claims linked to the deadly storm that claimed more than 1,000 lives and wreaked havoc on infrastructure totaled 103,000 last week and 91,000 the week before.

A Labor Department analyst said many of the claims had been filed by unconventional means, which may lead to future revisions in the numbers. Katrina's effects on the claims data are likely to linger for some weeks.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170113,00.html

just to add up....

:smokin

Delta to Slash 9,000 Jobs
Thursday, September 22, 2005

ATLANTA ? Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), the nation's third-largest carrier, said Thursday it will cut up to 9,000 jobs, reduce employee pay and make changes to its route network to focus more on international flying as it moves swiftly to restructure its costs in bankruptcy.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170111,00.html

There was a story yesterday that there was fruit rotting in Cali because they didn't have anyone to pick it ?

All the Mexicans are heading to the gulf region for construction work because it pays more.

good thing i keep my day job

:smokin

Sony: 10,000 Jobs to Be Cut
Thursday, September 22, 2005

TOKYO ? Struggling electronics and entertainment conglomerate Sony Corp. (SNE) said on Thursday it would cut about 7 percent of its global work force, sell more than $1 billion in assets and post a loss this year.

With a restructuring plan that failed to excite some analysts, Sony (search) hopes to reverse its fading fortunes and catch up with rivals such as Matsushita Electric Industrial (MC) and Sharp Corp. in flat TVs and Apple Computer (AAPL) and its popular iPod player in the portable music industry.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,170112,00.html