The Institute for Supply Management says its non-manufacturing index fell 2.4 to 55.2% in March, for the lowest level since President Trump’s election in November. Readings above 50 indicate improving conditions. Economists expected 57.2%. the index had hit a 16-month high in February. The employment subindex fell, but executives say the bigger problem is a shortage of skilled labor.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled 8-3 yesterday that the 1964 Civil Rights Act allows gay employees to sue employers for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Title VII of the law makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employees on the basis of their “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” But the Supreme Court hasn’t ruled whether discrimination based on sexual orientation is covered by the law’s prohibition against sex discrimination. Other lower courts, including another federal appeals court in March, have held that sexual orientation is not a “protected class” under the law.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
