Inside the "kafala" migrant labor system

The system has come under scrutiny over alleged human rights and labor abuses during the construction preceding the World Cup.
Foreign laborers make up the overwhelming majority of Qatar. The country's "sponsorship" system has come under scrutiny from human rights activists in the leadup to the World Cup.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Pilot contract negotiations go south at major airlines

Nov 3, 2022
This week, pilots at both American and United Airlines rejected tentative contract deals, and Delta pilots voted to authorize a strike if negotiations break down.
Delta Airlines pilots picketing for a new contract in September 2022. Their union recently voted to authorize a strike if contract negotiations break down.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Why this Buffalo manufacturer is "a little bit excited" about an economic slowdown

The tight job market means it's been years since Matt Gehman has hired new qualified employees at MMG Industrial and Metal Locking Service.
"We cannot hire people and bring them in and plug them in. It’s 100% on-the-job training at our expense," says Matt Gehman, above at his facility in Buffalo, New York.
Brandon Watson

Rebooting a multibillion-dollar business after tens of thousands of layoffs

Nov 1, 2022
Jerry and Lou Jacobs, co-CEOs of global hospitality company Delaware North, say inflation is a bigger concern than labor right now.
Jerry, left, and Lou Jacobs are co-CEOs of Buffalo-based company Delaware North. Inflation requires the business to be agile and flexible, Lou Jacobs says.
Brandon Watson

Freight railroad union rejects contract, renewing possibility of a strike

Oct 11, 2022
Working conditions are a major sticking point, particularly draconian schedules, for members of the third-largest railroad union.
By industry estimates, overall costs of a strike could reach $2 billion a day.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

In a show of optimism, small businesses have been doing a lot of capital spending

Oct 11, 2022
Sometimes the spending is to stay afloat in a competitive market. And sometimes it's to take advantage of new opportunities.
Recent data show that wages aren't growing at a fast enough rate to keep up with inflation, which impacts low-income workers the hardest.
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Paint is still in short supply in the U.S., and more expensive

Sep 19, 2022
Suppliers are prioritizing core products, says the owner of Ryan Amato Painting, but deep colors and clear coats can be hard to get.
Looking for paint in a deep color? That could be a problem.
Georgijevic via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

American workers are becoming less productive. Blame the pandemic.

Aug 8, 2022
It's a volatile indicator, but the trend has been downward.
A worker assembles the interior of a safe. Many small business are looking to boost revenues in anticipation of a potential recession.
George Frey/Getty Images

Between COVID and pent-up vacation demand, absent workers have businesses scrambling

Jul 27, 2022
Hire more workers or do less business — the options aren't great.
Employers across industries are getting creative as more workers take time off.
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Truckers block Oakland port to protest a California labor law

Jul 22, 2022
It's one more thing for a supply chain under unprecedented pressure.
Frustrated truckers obstruct the Port of Oakland on Thursday, piling another burden onto the supply chain.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images