Americans Keep on Shopping - Retail sales rise in a sign of resilient demand.

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What's Happening Today

Despite rising prices, retail sales rose 0.3% in August according to the Census Bureau's latest report, in a sign of rebounding demand after declining 0.4% in July. Car sales got a boost after falling last month, but people spent less at the gas station as gas prices eased.

The report also showed that people spent less at furniture stores, health and personal care stores, and online in August, while spending at the grocery store was up 0.2%, suggesting that many are likely sticking to the necessities as inflation remains high.

Separately, a report from the Labor Department found that unemployment claims fell for the fifth week in a row. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the first time fell by 5,000 for the week of September 10, indicating the job market remains strong amid high inflation and concerns about a recession looming.

In other news, the White House announced that a tentative agreement had been reached between freight railroad companies and the unions that represent railway workers. The new contracts, if ratified by union members, would provide a 24% increase in wages between 2020 and 2024, and an immediate $11,000 payout once the contract is official. The agreement would help avoid a rail strike that would cause shipping delays for food and fuel, and affect commuters across the nation.

"These rail workers will get better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs: all hard-earned," said President Biden in a statement.

- Hira

Editors' Picks

Why Retail Sales Are Important (The Balance)

Social Security's Cost-of-Living Increase Will Be Largest in Four Decades, an Estimate Says (The New York Times)

New Data Show Broad Shift to Remote Work During Pandemic (The Wall Street Journal)

Supply Chain Dictionary: Your Guide to the Jargon (The Balance)

US Federal Employment and Labor Laws (The Balance)

How Much Can You Borrow With a Home Equity Loan? (The Balance)

Auto Insurance 101 - How to Choose Your Car Insurance Wisely and Save (The Balance)

Term of the Day

Collective Bargaining

Collective bargaining is a negotiation process in which a group of workers, often represented by a labor union, chooses a representative to advocate for better terms of employment. This representative undertakes negotiations on their behalf.

The result of this negotiation is called a collective bargaining agreement, which is an employment contract that spells out wages, work schedules, employee benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

The Wagner Act of 1935, also known as the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), established a framework for collective bargaining in addition to guaranteeing workers the right to organize. The act applied to all employers engaged in interstate commerce except agriculture, airlines, government, and railroads. Railroad workers and many other employees in the transportation industry are covered under the Railway Labor Act.