Manufacturers find few veterans interested in filling roles

Sensing a need, the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP) lobbied hard in late 2011 for more money to train unemployed veterans for careers in manufacturing.

Mass House votes for $10.50 hourly minimum wage

Legislation raising the Massachusetts minimum wage from $8 to $10.50 by July 1, 2016 cleared the House on a 123-24 vote Wednesday night, putting both branches on record in favor of a major increase...

Minimum wage ballot questions looms amid haggling over process

Agreeing on general principles if not procedure, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Monday the House's approach to passing a minimum wage bill was “probably the only” way to move the...

Readers: Leave Mass. minimum wage alone

There's growing sentiment among state lawmakers to raise the minimum hourly wage from its current $8. The Senate has passed a bill that would gradually raise it to $11 by 2016. Meanwhile,...

Briefing: Worcester chamber study

A study commissioned by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce says the city is in a strong...

Survey: Consumers more optimistic about finances

Consumer confidence remained mostly unchanged between December and March, but consumers are starting to feel more optimistic about their finances for the year, according to Thomson Reuters and...

Unemployment drops in Central Mass.

Unemployment in Central Massachusetts fell markedly in February and is down from February of last year, the Patrick administration said today.

Mass. unemployment falls to 6.5 percent

Massachusetts added 3,800 jobs in February while the state's unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent, down 0.3 percent from January, and 0.4 percent from February 2013, the Executive Office of Labor...