Amazon plans to increase pay for its operations workers in the UK and hire 15,000 seasonal staff ahead of the holiday season. The pay increase, ranging from £11.80 to £12.50 per hour, will apply to full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal roles. By April 2024, Amazon aims to further increase pay to between £12.30 and £13 per hour. The move represents a £170 million investment from Amazon and follows protests by workers over low pay and poor working conditions. The GMB Union criticized the pay hike, stating that it brings "little comfort" to workers. Amazon has also faced unionization efforts in both the UK and the US.
Provincetown, Massachusetts, has one of the most harrowing housing markets in New England due to limited stock, enormous summertime demand, and heavy reliance on seasonal workers. Dan McKeon, an unofficial "housing matchmaker," helps renters find housing and urges homeowners to open unused rooms to newcomers. The median sales price of a single-family home in Provincetown was $1.9 million last month, and apartment vacancies are essentially nonexistent. Local leaders are stepping up efforts to address the housing crisis, but many are still struggling to find affordable housing.
As summer approaches, companies are under pressure to hire seasonal employees. With a tight labor market, employers are getting creative in hiring for the busy season. While teen employment rebounded in the summers of 2021 and 2022, some strains are already evident this year due to a potential economic slowdown. However, there are still plenty of job opportunities available, especially for jobs that require certification such as lifeguards.
