The truth about job growth

[mhr]

http://money.cnn.com/2003/10/07/news/economy/challenger/index.htm

The truth about job growth - The labor market broke a losing streak, but one analyst questions its recovery.
October 7, 2003
By Les Christie, CNN/Money Contributing Writer

New York (CNN/Money) - Though many cheered last week's news of jobs creation in September, John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a job placement company, notes a number of disturbing trends in the Labor Department report.

Snip ......

Less pay "While many celebrated, the numbers indicate that things have not improved for most workers; in some cases, workers are earning 43 percent less," said Challenger.

Snip ......

More part-time work One stat that concerns Challenger is that nearly 5 million people now work part-time jobs, the highest level since November 1993. "Benefits are much worse for part-time workers. The number of people without health care insurance has gone over 40 million."

Snip ......

Long-term joblessness Another troubling trend Challenger identifies is that long-term joblessness, those out of work for 27 weeks or longer, has grown to 2.1 million, the highest level since November 1983.

[UpInArms]

1. long term joblessness -

Raygun's policies - ran into Poppy's policies - took Clinton a couple of years to get jobs back into the equation.

43% less pay - are we becoming a nation of "burger flippers"?

This is disheartening - foreclosures are going to become the word of the day :(

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Re: "burger flippers"

When that big textile plant closed down in the Carolinas this summer, someone on FreeRepublic noted that those workers were going to have one hell of time finding any job in the region with anything near the pay of the shuttered plant- and I'll never forget this one response:
"Sure they will- at Taco Bell or any other fast food franchise- about every 2 hours."
So either that is derisive sarcasm or they actually think it's O.K.? :shrug:

[bring_em_home_bush]

2. ~

In all recorded history there has not been one economist who has had to worry about where the next meal would come from.
Peter Drucker
-

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. The comments were not made by an economist

The comments came from someone trying to find laid off people new jobs... so what is it you are trying to say?

[sam sarrha]

3. my wifes only option is a job doing the same thing, no insurance, 53% less

I worked for an aerospace company, in the last 2 years i have only found a job in a Mexican sweat shop and a porno store 3 months each..both $7 an hour, both i got layed off the day before the insurance kicked in. The mean income here is about $14,000, if you counted the illegal Mexicans it would be around about $8,000, I have seen the Foreman have all the Mexicans sign their checks then pay them seriously less in cash. i start a truck driving job next week, I will work for $325 a week for 8 weeks, then maybe for the first year i might make $25,000. this living in a truck 24/7, 4 days off after a month.. which is 313 days a year 24/7 with 52 days off. many call it sweatshops on wheels since deregulation. but my wifes cobra is running out and she is very ill. It is a choice to provide insurance at only $240 a month..more than her cobra, she needs care, but at least this way she has insurance. The new time regulations take effect in January.. drivers cant team and drive "4 hrs on four hours off YEARS...we are talking serious sleep deprivation here!!! but it is the only way to make a lot of money. DONT change lanes in front of a truck, Loaded they take about 120 yards to stop, 1 1/4 football fields. with a light load 2 1/2 over football fields with good tires, dry pavement and good brakes and if the driver isn't catatonic, the minimum imparement form a couple of days of 4/4 is the same as a 0.05 alcohol level..which will get a comercial driver a DUI with alcohol, give them room, leave the space in front of them empty, if you hit your brakes they run over you! drivers have 65% higher Hypertension, heart disease and high cholesterol problems... it is a very unsafe and unhealthy profession.

[bahrbearian]

6. After I GOT LAID OFF from Boeing

I was going to drive long haul. I was going to work for Swift Transportation, you know em' but I was under the impression that the Pay was higher than what you state, was I misled? Luckly I got a job working Construction, but driving truck, and It is intense on the road!

[Lugnut]

14. My son....

Is a long haul produce hauler for a small local carrier. He's usually out on the road from Saturday night until Wednesday or Thursday. He earns a good living but spends a lot of time in that truck. He's been doing it for about 15 years and loves it but it's definitely not a job for everyone.

[teryang]

4. It's pretty grim out there

Wife won't work for minimum wage. So she is unemployed. Son is working for minimum wage part time only.

[Zynx]

5. I know a great deal about economics...

and I can tell you that the September numbers meant nothing. The fourth quarter will likely see net job losses because the recovery is simply not strong enough relative to productivity to create jobs in any meaningful way.

[Nottingham]

7. Is this really what Americans want?

Working more and for less and No Medical Insurance

Ya have to ask yourself?

Is this what they wanted??

:bounce:

[mhr]

8. It is Exactly What the Corporations Want

your work for no pay!

[priller]

11. Oh come on now

Larry Kudlow just tonight called it a "rip roaring recovery"!!! The guest, whoever he was, had an incredulous smile on his face.

[moondust]

17. My suspicion

is that the September numbers may have had something to do with:

1. Schools starting up.
2. Seasonal hiring in preparation for the holiday season.

[lovedems]

12. Just can't wait to see how Bushco. spin this into really positive news.

In 2 months from now all we are going to be hearing about from the misadministration is JOB GROWTH, THE TAX CUTS ARE WORKING! Just can't wait.

[stewert]

13. You Guys Are Missing Something !

The Bush administration said his tax cuts would produce a specific number of jobs
by the end of 2004. I believe it was 1.5 million, but I am not sure. There are 15 months
until the end of 2004. If the economy created 50,000 jobs a month for 15 months, they
will not even come close.

And does anyone think that many jobs will be created per month for 15 months straight.

Not to mention we lost 90,000 jobs in july, and 137,000 jobs in august. Yet they
make a big deal out of creating a net 50,000 jobs in september. That does not even offset
the jobs we lost in july. Let alone the 3 million jobs lost since Bush took office.

And don't forget ford is going to eliminate 12,000 jobs and chrysler is going to cut up to
7,700 jobs. In august alone 2,258 companies laid off or fired 50 or more people, does that
sound like a jobs recovery to you.

[alfredo]

15. School beginning, means jobs for those in education or

in industries that support the schools. How many school bus drivers are there in the US?

[radfringe]

18. 1.5 million new jobs to be created

is just ore spin and bush*t from the whistleass

Whoever gets the Democratic nomination should jump all over this

start running commercials showing the clip of whistleass claiming that his taxcut would created the jobs, then a series of scrolling "headlines" of companies announcing layoffs followed by "Where are the jobs, Mr. pResident?"

Do the same sort of thing with "hunt 'em down" - Where's Osama Bin Laden, Mr. pResident?"

Where's Saddam, Mr. pResident?
Where's the WMD's, Mr. pResident?
Where's the surplus, Mr. pResident?

[Chomskyite]

16. I guess I'm included in those numbers

I got a position teaching five classes at a community college for $10,000. For this semester only. No insurance. No promise of any job in the spring. About 1/8 of a cubicle to use for conference hours with students.

Education in Bush's America.

[Zgrrl]

19. i'm choosing to not work for minimum wage

(Hi Everyone, I'm new to DU)

For the past three years, I've been a stay-at-home mom to 2 kids. Money's been tight, but it's been worth it and I've enjoyed it. I've now reached the point, however, where I'd like to return to working outside the home because my kids are starting school. I've found that the only available jobs in my area are minimum wage retail and fast food jobs. It is really not worth it for me to take a job like that if I don't have to. It's not going to do anything for my resume (or my self-esteem). I have a degree from an Ivy League school and have held student jobs that were better than the ones I'm now seeing offered. My family can continue to scrape by on one income for now. I guess those Republican family values prevail after all! I'll be stuck at home, baking cookies, since I can't find meaningful employment.

I really do feel for people who MUST work, however. I feel very fortunate that I have a CHOICE.:hi:

[area51]

20. Welcome

Hi Zgrrl, welcome to DU. :hi: