Anthropic will invest $50 billion in building AI data centers in the US - The Verge

 

How many jobs are they bringing to the data centers?

Panzer's second stop today was at The Verge site to read the post about Anthropic's newest endeavor.

 

According to Emma Roth's post, Anthropic announced their plan's to build two new data centers.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is wondering if anybody told the states how much energy those data centers use."

 

Note: This is a short post. You won't need anything to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Anthropic 

Amazon named among the world's most admired companies for the eighth year in a row by 'Fortune' magazine - About Amazon News

I'm ready for this month to be over.

Now, Panzer will be reporting today's news.

 

Amazon is again in the top three most admired companies in the world ranking. In an Amazon staff written post at the Amazon site it's explained that parts of the basis for this ranking are the  company's increase in employee pay and benefits, its involvement in affordable housing and easier pathways to home ownership, and improvements to customer shopping using AI. The post also includes links to information about the criteria.

Panzer says, "Most admired in the whole world?"

Note: Because of the links to other information, this is a very long post. You'll need to decide what to snack on while you read.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Amazon Turns $2.7 Billion Loss in 2022 to a Profit of $30 Billion in 2023 - Publishers Weekly

That's a huge profit jump for one year.

Panzer's trip into the Catosphere today took our traveling kitty pilot to the Publishers Weekly site. There with a little digging in the posts he found one about Amazon's company profits.

 

According to Jim Milliot's post, Amazon announced a turnaround for a company loss in 2022 to a major profit in 2023. The company cut expenses by implementing employee layoffs and delivery reorganizations. The company also had a significant increase in sales. The combination of  these lead to the 2023 profit.

 

Panzer says, "The post has other information about an AI named Rufus. You need to read that too."

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Profit

Audible Cuts 5% of It's Staff - Publishers Weekly

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There our illustrious kitty boy found a post about Audible.

 

They're already slow getting the audiobooks uploaded.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Audible is laying off approximately 100 employees. CEO Bob Carrigan said in a memo to employees the company needs to be more efficient to compete in the audiobook world.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... That sounds like less employees doing the work of more employees and doing it faster.".

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Audible

Amazon is hiring 250,000 employees for the holidays, and making the largest ever investment in U.S. hourly wages - Amazon

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Amazon Now news site. There he found an announcement about Amazon's seasonal hiring.

That would buy a lot of kitty treats.

According to the site, Amazon will be hiring 250,000 new employees across the U.S. The employees will fill fulfillment and transportation positions for the holidays. The positions are either temporary or permanent. The announcement also contains information about hourly pay and health and education benefits.

Panzer says, "There's a link to apply at the end of the announcement."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on while you read the announcement.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Hiring

Update from CEO Andy Jassy on Amazon's operating plan and additional role eliminations - Company News

 Today, Panzer made a trip to Amazon's news release site. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

According to the post, Amazon will be doing 9,000 role eliminations in April. This is in addition to the 18,000 role eliminations announced in January. Amazon is striving to become a leaner company in these uncertain economic times.

It's not a role playing game. They're people.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know why you say role eliminations. Just say you're laying off another 9,000 employees in addition to the 18,000 employees you laid off in January."

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to CEO Andy Jassy

HarperCollins Is Cutting 5% of It's North American Workforce - Publishers Weekly

Today, Panzer made a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about HarperCollins expense cutting measures. Last week Panzer told you about HarperCollins employee union negotiations.

 

Not a good time to be a publishers.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, HarperCollins has begun another round of employee layoffs. Citing the lack of sales and the increase in expenses as the reasons, the company will reduce its employee workforce by 5 percent by June 30.

 

 Panzer says, "Hmm ... 5 percent is actually a lot."

Note: This is a long-short post or a short-medium post. You decide. Bring a cup of cocoa and two chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to HarperCollins

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to Harper Collins and Harper Union

Amazon CEO says company will lay off more than 18,000 workers - NPR

Today Panzer made a trip to the NPR site. There he found a post about Amazon employees.

 

That's a lot of people.

According to Bobby Allyn's post, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced the company will be laying off over 18,000 employees. The layoffs will be centered on corporate workers. The post includes a link to Jassy's announcement about the layoffs at Amazon.

 

Panzer says, "18,000? Employees in what cities? What countries?"

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa for your reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decided what else to bring to eat and drink while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon layoffs

HarperCollins Addresses Stalled Union Negotiations, Union ... - Publishers Weekly

Panzer just made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about a strike by the workers at publisher HarperCollins.

 

A strike just before Christmas?

Emell Derra Adolphus' post explains publisher HarperCollins' position on the union employees strike against the company. HarperCollins' statement includes information about employee salary and benefit increases. The company made the statement because some authors and agents have said they support the strike. Included at the end of the post is the union's response.

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big cup of cocoa and a large muffin for today's reading.

 

To read the post tootle over to HarperCollins strike

DOJ v PRH:Madeline McIntosh Details PRH's Publishing Process - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer has the latest update from the Publishers Weekly site on the Department of Justice's (DOJ) attempt to stop Penguin Random House's (PRH) merger/acquisition of Simon and Schuster (S&S).

What is good for the employees?

According to Bethanne Patrick's post, Alex Berker of ViacomCBS testified why the company thought the sale of S&S to PRH would be "good" for "employees and executives." Madeline McIntrosh US CEO of PRH was next to testify about the book publishing process. Manuel Sansigre PRH vp for global mergers and acquisitions was the last to testify about cost cutting measures by moving S&S employees to PRH headquarters and then the company wouldn't need the S&S building any more.

Panzer says, "You'll need to go to the Publishers Weekly site to read all the information about the testimony."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a big glass of iced tea, a brownie and a bowl of ice cream for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Madeline McIntosh testimony

The great book shortage of 2021, explained - Vox

Today Panzer made a trip to the Vox site. There he found some information about the ongoing supply chain problems and books. Panzer has been telling you for months about these problems.

 

According to the post by Constance Grady, supply chain problems for books can be broken down into four major parts. The first is people are reading more as a hobby and for pleasure now. The second is it's costing more to print books, if the printer can even get the paper and ink to print them. The third is it's costing more to ship the books, if drivers can be found. The fourth is it's costing more for labor, if the employees can be found. Ultimately, it looks like the supply chain problems for books are here to stay until some time in 2022.

There are ways around everything.

 

Panzer says, "Can't find a printed book? Buy ebooks. Electrons are everywhere."

Note: This is a long, long post. Bring a pitcher of tea, two muffins, a cupcake, and a brownie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to book shortage

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to book supply chain woes 

Amazon Announces Plans to Hire 125,000 Employees in Hundreds of Cities and Towns Across America - Press Release

Today, Panzer has a quick post for you from Amazon.

 

According to the Press Release on the Amazon News site, the company will be hiring 125,000 new employees in various states. The post includes a link with information about how to apply. Pay is $18 an hour. Depending on the job there may be a signing bonus too. 

 

Also included in the post just before the About Amazon section is a link to register for Amazon's Career Day - America on September 15. This is Amazon's recruiter coaching day to help you get a job. It's free to register and attend the sessions. It's virtual, but has limited attendance.

 

Sorry! It was just announced today.

Panzer says, "Yes, September 15 is tomorrow. So hurry up and register now, if you want coaching help."

 

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to apply for a job at Amazon, dust off your resume and get ready.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon new employees

Amazon expands education perk for workers to cover full college tuition - CNet

Today as Panzer was tootling around the Catosphere he decided to make a stop at the CNet site. There our adventuresome kitty discovered a post about a new addition to an Amazon employee perk.

 

According to the post by Carrie Mihalcik, Amazon has added a new employee perk to their Career Choice employee program. Amazon will now pay the full tuition and fees for associate and bachelor's degrees for eligible employees. The new add-on to the program will begin next January and will be available to 75,000 operations employees in the U.S.

 

Looking for a job?

Panzer says, "Pay for my college tuition? Makes me want ot go join their workforce."

 

Note: This is a short post. Bring a cup of tea.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon education perk

Powell's Employee Union Files Grievances Over Rehires - Publishers Weekly

 It's the weekend. So, when Panzer isn't cat napping, he's cleaning up the Panzermobile and the hangar. Today when he was sweeping out the hangar, he discovered a wadded up post on the floor. Flattening it out, he found it was a post from the Publishers Weekly site about Powell's Books bookstore.

 

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, the union for Powell's Books' employees is filing grievances against the bookstore on behalf of the employees. The union wants the bookstore to rehire employees for the same wages and positions they had before the pandemic closed the bookstore as promised by management. The bookstore says since it has been over 12 months since they closed, they're not bound by that promise. The bookstore wants former employees to apply for employment positions like everyone else.

There must be more to it.

Panzer says, "Umm ... A year is a long time to hold a position open for an employee ... and ... this says most of the employees they've hired are the former employees.  ... What's wrong? "

 

Note: This is a long-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and a large muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Powell's Bookstore

California eclipses Washington as Amazon's biggest state for jobs, with 153k employees and counting - GeekWire

 Panzer stopped in at GeekWire today. While digging in the posts, our inquisitive kitty found one about Amazon.

 

Maybe a new headquarters in California?

According to the post by Todd Bishop,  while Amazon's employment figures grew in Washington state, California's employment figures is growing even more significantly. The post attributes the increase to the larger number of inhabitants and shoppers in California. Employee numbers are also increasing in other states. Amazon's employment figures increase frequently, so the figures in the post are most likely already inaccurate. Included in the post are charts and graphs of Amazon's employment figures in different U.S. states and globally.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... The post compares Amazon's employee figures with Walmart's. Walmart is still larger."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a thermos of cocoa and six muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon California employees

Amazon hires 248,500 people in Q3 as Jeff Bezos challenges large employers to raise minimum wage - GeekWire

 Panzer decided to make a stop at the GeekWire site today. With a little digging in the posts there, our inquisitive kitty found one about Amazon.

 

1.13 million?

According to Taylor Soper's post, Amazon has 1.13 million employees worldwide. 400,000 of those employees were hired this year. Now Amazon plans to hire another 100,000 seasonal workers for the company's distribution centers. Amazon pays its employees a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour and CEO Jeff Bezos challenged other large employers to raise their minimum hourly wage as well. The post contains several links to information about Amazon's previous hiring sprees, previous wage increases, letters to shareholders, and more.

 

Panzer says, "Hmm ... Seasonal workers? ... They must be planning for a lot of online Christmas shoppers."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a cup of cocoa, three muffins and three cupcakes for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow all the links, bring a thermos of cocoa, twelve muffins, twelve cupcakes, and a blanket for a nap in the middle.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Update on COVID-19 Testing - The Amazon Blog

Today, Panzer made a trip to The Amazon Blog site.  With a little digging in the posts our inquisitive kitty boy found one about Amazon's response to Covid-19 testing in the company's workplaces.

That's not a lot.

According to the blog post, Amazon is conducting Covid-19 tests of company employees not just at U.S. fulfillment centers, but at the company's Whole Foods Markets as well. Employees have been tested multiple times in case there are asymtomatic workers. Of those employees tested there have been 19,816 positive tests. Employees with positive test results are placed on paid quarantine until they recover. The post includes a link to a chart with all the U.S. states and the number of positive Covid-19 employee cases per 1,000 employees in that state.

 

Panzer says, "If you go all the way to the bottom of the chart linked in the post, there is some information about the numbers on the chart."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Waterstones cuts 16 head office roles including for publisher-facing staff - The Bookseller

Panzer has been on a cleaning frenzy today. Sweeping out the inside of the Panzermobile, he found a post under the pilot seat floor mat. Pulling it out, he discovered it was a post from The Bookseller * site about Waterstones bookstores.

 

It's that virus thingy.

According to the post by Mark Chandler, Waterstones is making some employee changes effective immediately. The company announced it has made 16 head office staff positions redundant. (That's the polite way of saying they were terminated from their jobs.) The company cited the downturn in trade sales and foot traffic.

Panzer says, "Look what happened to Macmillan's soon-to-be ex-CEO John Sargent after he made some staff positions redundant."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Waterstones

To read about Macmillan tootle over to John Sargent

 

 

* Be aware The Bookseller has an "article" reading limit each month after which you'll be asked to register.

Macmillan CEO John Sargent Is Departing - The New York Times

Today, when Panzer was washing the Panzermobile after our trip to the Bloody Scotland conference, he found something stuck under the windshield wiper. Flattening it out, our fastidious kitty discovered it was a post from The New York Times site about Macmillan CEO John Sargent. Panzer told you about soon-to-be-ex CEO Sargent day before yesterday.

What does it all mean?

According to The New York Times post by Alexandra Alter, there seems to be more to CEO John Sargent's exit from Macmillan than was originally reported. It appears there were more problems in Macmillan than the general public was aware of. While the post lists the library embargo as part of Macmillan's problems, it also highlights recent employee layoffs, employee walkouts and book publishing disagreements. Also included in the post is some interesting information about John Sargent's parents.

 

 Panzer says, "It just gets more interesting every day."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring two cups of tea and two muffins for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Macmillan

To read Panzer's previous post tootle over to John Sargent

 

 

 

B&N Makes HQ Layoffs - Publishers Weekly

Not what I would call good.

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Publishers Weekly site. With a little digging in the posts our illustrious kitty found one about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has done some layoffs in the U.S. headquarters. Among those let go (fired) are the literary fiction and the science fiction/fantasy book buyers. The company also took advantage of the Covid-19 shutdown to re-arrange the stores' interiors, furniture and books.

Panzer says, "This little kitty wants to know if this means Barnes and Noble won't be selling literary fiction or science fiction/fantasy books any more."

Note: This is a long-short length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble layoffs