A closer look at the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for September, with a focus on the construction sector, shows that hiring in the construction sector remained solid at a 4.7% rate in September.
Wood Markets News
Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary Released for September
On Tuesday, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) for September. As of the last business day in September, the number of job openings increased to 10.7 million.
Weyerhaeuser Strike Comes to an End
Weyerhaeuser announced on Friday afternoon the successful resolution to a more than 6-week labor dispute, which has interrupted production in Oregon and Washington. The new agreement will result in the resumption of normal operations at all sites.
After Hurricane Fiona’s Destruction, Prince Edward Island Government Addresses Needs of Private Woodlot Owners and Forest Industry
On Friday, the province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) announced that in the wake of Hurricane Fiona’s unprecedented impact, the government has formed a task force to address the immediate needs of private woodlot owners and the forestry industry.
Mass Timber Construction Continues to Gain Ground in Michigan
Nationwide, demand for mass timber has tripled between 2018 and 2019. For example, Michigan businesses searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint are looking at mass timber panels instead of steel or concrete for their construction projects.
Affordability Expectations Among Home Buyers Improved From Q2 to Q3
According to the latest Housing Trends Report, in 22Q3 prospective home buyers were more likely to have higher levels of income and education than earlier in the year. This information helps explain why affordability expectations have improved.
Canadian Real GDP Increases in August
Statistics Canada reported on Frida that real GDP edged up 0.1% in August, following a similar 0.1% increase in July. The 0.3% increase in services-producing industries was partially offset by a 0.3% decline in goods-producing industries.
Skeena Sawmills Announces Terrace, BC, Facility Will Only Operate 50% Of the Time
Skeena Sawmills in Terrace, BC, informed employees that the company is facing the highest fiber costs in recent memory. According to Lionel Chabot, the plant manager, the mill will be operating 50% of the time going forward from now and into the New Year.
Personal Consumption Expenditures, Personal Income, and Disposable Income All Rise in September
The US Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on Friday that according to its estimates, personal income increased 0.4% in September; disposable personal income increased 0.4%; and personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased 0.6%.
State Court in Jefferson County, Washington, Rules Against DNR Timber Sales
On Wednesday, a Jefferson County Superior Court judge ruled against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, in a case the plaintiffs say will have wide implications on how the agency manages state forests.