It's not a secret that a recession is looming, gas prices are teetering on $4 a gallon, food prices are soaring, foreclosure news is everywhere and the economy is shedding jobs. But, is it bad for everyone.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between November 2007 and April 2008 American men lost 700,000 jobs. Women over the age of 20, though, gained nearly 300,000 jobs in the same period.
Sounds like great news for young American women, right? Women are working in sectors of the economy still growing like health care and education, but their rate of pay is stagnant. Because women already make less than their male counterparts, job growth in low-wage jobs is not necessarily great news. As more and more jobs disappear in the construction and manufacturing industries -- jobs traditionally held by men -- families are dependent upon women's incomes.
Women are working for change, though. The number of women in labor unions has increased more than any other group. As the number of women employed grows, so too must the number of women in labor unions, in order to battle the low-wage and pay stagnancy issues.
Read the rest of the story about American jobs here.
Showing posts with label recession. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recession. Show all posts
May 28, 2008
Mar 18, 2008
Stronger Unions Can Strengthen Economy
New York Times op-ed contributor, Robert B. Reich, is calling out Washington politicians for taking "normal remedies" to address the continuing economic slide.
Reich says it's time to address the real problem - American workers are earning 12% less than their counterparts 30 years ago when wages are adjusted for inflation.
Among Reich's solutions: Organize and Unionize.
"We also need stronger unions, especially in the local service sector that’s sheltered from global competition. Employees should be able to form a union without the current protracted certification process that gives employers too much opportunity to intimidate or coerce them. Workers should be able to decide whether to form a union with a simple majority vote."
Read the rest of the editorial here.
Reich says it's time to address the real problem - American workers are earning 12% less than their counterparts 30 years ago when wages are adjusted for inflation.
Among Reich's solutions: Organize and Unionize.
"We also need stronger unions, especially in the local service sector that’s sheltered from global competition. Employees should be able to form a union without the current protracted certification process that gives employers too much opportunity to intimidate or coerce them. Workers should be able to decide whether to form a union with a simple majority vote."
Read the rest of the editorial here.
Feb 6, 2008
The R-word
Recession is a scary word.
It's on the front page of most news sources. Say it aloud and most people cringe. But how it affects one person to the next can be very different.
This nation's last two recessions -- the collapse of the dotcom bubble and in 1991 -- are largely outside the memories of most young workers.
But, studies examining job losses during a recession say it is young workers who are the hardest hit. Using data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and population surveys the Monthly Labor Review found employment among workers 16-19 years old declined by 5.7 percent. In addition to the large decline, employment for this group slumped for two years -- nearly twice as long as it did for older workers.
But relax young union member, don't cringe just quite yet when you hear the 'r-word' whispered.
Economists examing industries performing well during recessions list regional and national supermarket chains, convenience stores and discount stores among the top ten performers.
No job is recession proof, but young workers in service-based industries are less likely to suffer the consequences of their early-90s counterparts.
It's on the front page of most news sources. Say it aloud and most people cringe. But how it affects one person to the next can be very different.
This nation's last two recessions -- the collapse of the dotcom bubble and in 1991 -- are largely outside the memories of most young workers.
But, studies examining job losses during a recession say it is young workers who are the hardest hit. Using data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and population surveys the Monthly Labor Review found employment among workers 16-19 years old declined by 5.7 percent. In addition to the large decline, employment for this group slumped for two years -- nearly twice as long as it did for older workers.
But relax young union member, don't cringe just quite yet when you hear the 'r-word' whispered.
Economists examing industries performing well during recessions list regional and national supermarket chains, convenience stores and discount stores among the top ten performers.
No job is recession proof, but young workers in service-based industries are less likely to suffer the consequences of their early-90s counterparts.
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