National Unemployment Rate Reaches Lowest Point Since 2000
The national unemployment rate dropped to 3.9% in April, and total nonfarm employment increased by 164,000, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate had been holding at 4.1% for the prior six months. According to Danielle Hale, the chief economist for Realtor.com, April’s unemployment rate was the lowest since 2000. The country has experienced 91 consecutive months of job growth. State labor data is not yet available.
Pink Slips Sent To Remaining Community Hospital Employees
MemorialCare Health System sent out pink slips to 213 employees of Community Medical Center Long Beach (also called Community Hospital) today as part of required notifications prior to the hospital’s planned closure on July 3. According to John Bishop, CEO of the hospital, about 150 of these employees will transfer to Long Beach Medical Center (LBMC) and other MemorialCare facilities. Bishop is also CEO of LBMC and Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. “A number of employees” are also expected to begin work for other health care organizations and employers, according to Bishop. The health organization is offering job placement services, including internal and external job fairs, workshops and other services to affected employees. These employees are receiving retention bonuses for staying on with the hospital after its closure was announced last November. MemorialCare is vacating its lease for the hospital because it cannot meet state seismic requirements to continue operations.
Misty May-Treanor Appointed To President’s Council On Sports
Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist and director of volleyball operations at Long Beach City College, has been appointed as the co-chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, along with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and former NFL running back Herschel Walker. The council is dedicated to ensuring that Americans live a healthy lifestyle balancing physical activity and good nutrition.
Engineering Firm P2S Inc. Named A “Great Place To Work”
The Great Place to Work Institute, in collaboration with Forbes Magazine, has recognized Long Beach-based engineering firm P2S Inc. as a “great place to work.” The company offers mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy and technology engineering, as well as commissioning and construction management services. The Great Place to Work Institute awards its designations based on a survey of company employees and by examining its culture. P2S scored a 95% average trust index score; the threshold necessary to receive the certification is 70%.
Street Improvements Coming To The Peninsula Next Week
On Monday, May 7, road improvements are getting underway on Ocean Boulevard between 55th and 72nd Place in the Peninsula. Improvements include new lane markings, more visible crosswalks, expanded parking and wider bike lanes. The changes shift vehicular traffic further away from street curbs and are expected to reduce speeding. The majority of the work is expected to be complete by Thursday, May 10.