Sherman A1
Sherman A1's JournalRaley's investigating cyber attack of its computer systems
West Sacramento-based Raley's said today that it recently discovered that a portion of its computer network systems may have been the target of a cyber attack.
The company said an investigation was "immediately initiated" to determine whether the attackers obtained customer credit card and debit card information.
"At this time, we have not confirmed any unauthorized access to payment card data, but our investigation remains ongoing," the Raley's notice said. "We have no reason to believe that debit PIN numbers could have been accessed.
"We do not collect Social Security or drivers' license numbers in association with payment card transactions."
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/06/5477649/raleys-investigating-cyber-attack.html#storylink=cpy
Gannett to buy TV station owner Belo for $1.5 billion
The parent companies of the NBC and CBS television affiliates in St. Louis are combining, but area viewers shouldn't expect to see any immediate changes in their local newscasts.
McLean, Va.-based Gannett Co., which owns KSDK (Channel 5) and 22 other TV stations nationwide, said Thursday that it's acquiring Belo Corp. of Dallas for $1.5 billion in cash, plus the assumption of $715 million in debt. One of Belo's 20 TV stations is KMOV (Channel 4).
The combination, which still must be approved by Belo shareholders and the Federal Communications Commission, would make Gannett the fourth-largest owner of major network affiliates, with 43 stations reaching nearly a third of U.S. households. CBS, Fox and Sinclair Broadcast Group are the top three.
“We are bringing together two highly respected media companies with rich histories of award-winning journalism, operational excellence and strong brand leadership,” Gannett President and CEO Gracia Martore said in a call with analysts. Gannett is seeking to diversity its offerings, which include TV stations, newspapers and digital assets.
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/31e7fb91-676f-50cb-825f-9f9f6a6e6f8c.html
May Retail Sales Up 5% from Last Year
Improved consumer confidence and spending helped drive retail sales in May, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
In fact, May retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from April and increased a strong 4.8 percent unadjusted year-over-year.
“The American consumer continues to drive the U.S. economy,” said Matthew Shay, NRF president and CEO. “In spite of fluctuating gas prices, severe weather in much of the country and fiscal policy uncertainty, consumers continue to demonstrate an inherent resiliency and flexibility.”
Released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce, May's total retail and food services sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and increased 4.3 percent adjusted year-over-year.
http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/market-trends/id39306/may-retail-sales-up-5-from-last-year/
Father’s Day Spending to Grow Slightly
Consumers are planning to spend a bit more for Father’s Day this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Father’s Day spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight. The average person will spend $119.84 on gifts for dad, up from $117.14 last year, with total Father’s Day spending expected to reach $13.3 billion.
“Never expecting more than a nice day out or a special family dinner, dads are usually easy to shop for, and families this year will make sure to find the perfect gift for their favorite man this Father’s Day,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “From patio sets and grills to ties and gardening tools, retailers will offer specials and promotions in the coming days for families as they scour retailers’ websites and stores for something they know dad will love.”
Consumers will mostly stick to the traditional gifts for dad, but some will splurge on clothing, electronic items and special outings. According to the survey, those celebrating Father’s Day will spend $2.5 billion on a special outing, such as a sporting event or dinner; $1.7 billion on a new electronic gadget, such as a tablet or GPS system; and $1.8 billion on clothing.
Others will splurge on home improvement and gardening tools ($755 million), sporting goods ($710 million), personal care items ($707 million) and even automotive accessories ($592 million).
http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/shopper-behavior/id39283/fathers-day-spending-to-grow-slightly/
Resolute Missourians illuminate human cost of failure to expand Medicaid
Jefferson City –The failure by Republicans in the Missouri legislature to expand Medicaid for low-wage families, the elderly and disabled – before it adjourned for the year May 17 caused several hundred frustrated citizens to gather on the steps of the state Capitol May 16 to light 1,500 luminaries representing the lives that would be saved annually if Medicaid would have been expended.
Federal funds under Obama Care would have paid for 90 percent of the expansion. About 300,000 Missouri residents with incomes up to 130 percent of the poverty level could have benefited from the expansion.
Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, organized a coalition of several thousand citizens, hospitals, doctors, business leaders, religious leaders and labor unions to support expansion. He led rallies throughout the state in an effort to gain support. But Republican leaders, who control both houses of the legislature, refused to budge and the measure died without ever being given serious consideration.
“Medicaid Expansion is a moral imperative, and our commitment to this issue will not end with this legislative session,” said Rev. John Bennett of Jefferson City, one of the supporters on the steps of the capitol the night before the legislature adjourned.
http://labortribune.com/resolute-missourians-illuminate-human-cost-of-failure-to-expand-medicaid/
Ellisville Mayor back, amid continuing legal moves. Was new Walmart store behind his impeachment?
After a standing ovation from allies and a quick search for the gavel, reinstated Ellisville Mayor Adam Paul was back in charge Tuesday night.
Snip:
With the help of supportive council members, Paul moved to delay action on the city’s plan to award tax breaks to Wal-Mart for a planned superstore. Paul and his allies believe that his opposition to the tax incentives is at the heart of the impeachmen since his opponents – including councilman Matt Pirrello, a former mayor, and city manager Kevin Bookout – support the project.
https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/31373/ellisville_mayor_returns_061113
Steelworkers Ratify Contract at Caterpillar South Milwaukee
PITTSBURGH – The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that members of Local 1343 ratified a new, six year contract at Caterpillar’s South Milwaukee plant.
USW District 2 Director Michael Bolton praised the hard work of the local union negotiating committee and the members of Local 1343 for their solidarity during contract negotiations, especially since April 30, when they rejected Caterpillar’s previous contract proposal and chose to continue working while negotiations proceeded instead of strike.
“The strength of our union truly is our membership,” Bolton said. “Our brothers and sisters earned a fair contract through their unity and determination.”
Local 1343 President Kevin Jaskie said that union members are eager to continue the traditions of quality and productivity in South Milwaukee.
http://www.usw.org/media_center/releases_advisories?id=0714
UFCW asks union families to not shop Dierbergs new Lake Ozark non-union store
Osage Beach, MO – Dierbergs Markets has opened a non-union grocery store here and Region 5 of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union wants every union family to help send a message to management that they won’t shop there as long as the store remains non-union.
And to make their point, Region 5:
• Is purchasing full-page ads in both the St. Louis Labor Tribune and the Kansas City Labor Beacon to alert families to this effort, one which the UFCW asks whether or not this is the first step towards Dierbergs considering the same thing in the St. Louis metro area where all its stores are represented by UFCW Local 655.
• Has begun handbilling at Dierbergs Lake store in the Lakeview Point Center.
http://labortribune.com/ufcw-asks-union-families-to-not-shop-dierbergs-new-lake-ozark-non-union-store/
Judge Rules That Movie Studio Should Have Been Paying Interns
A Federal District Court judge in Manhattan ruled on Tuesday that Fox Searchlight Pictures had violated federal and New York minimum wage laws by not paying production interns, a case that could upend the long-held practice of the film industry and other businesses that rely heavily on unpaid internships.
In the decision, Judge William H. Pauley III ruled that Fox Searchlight should have paid two interns on the movie “Black Swan,” because they were essentially regular employees.
The judge noted that these internships did not foster an educational environment and that the studio received the benefits of the work. The case could have broad implications. Young people have flocked to internships, especially against the backdrop of a weak job market.
Employment experts estimate that undergraduates work in more than one million internships a year, an estimated half of which are unpaid, according to Intern Bridge, a research firm.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/judge-rules-for-interns-who-sued-fox-searchlight.html?_r=2&
Nurses union ratifies 2 labor pacts
The Massachusetts Nurses Association has ratified new labor contracts with Quincy Medical Center and the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.
Unionized nurses, who mounted a 24-hour strike at the Quincy hospital April 11 to dramatize their complaints about staffing levels, ratified a one-year agreement with the hospital, union officials said Wednesday. The hospital is owned by Boston-based Steward Health Care System, which operates 11 for-profit hospitals in Eastern Massachusetts.
Union leaders said nurses at the Memorial/Hahnemann campus of UMass Medical Center had earlier ratified a new three-year contract.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/06/12/massachusetts-nurses-union-okays-contracts-quincy-worcester-hospitals/P3U73EAq6I7xLOhQg85cNP/story.html
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