by Robert Reich

[elleng]

The big story on jobs (hardly mentioned in today’s job report for June) is America is in the midst of a massive shift to part-time work. Part-time jobs accounted for 2/3 of all new jobs in June. Most people don’t want part-time work; they need a full-time job. But corporations are shifting to part-time work because it allows them to (1) avoid paying overtime, (2) avoid paying health insurance (evidence suggests Obamacare’s employer mandate, although delayed, is adding to the part-time shift), (3) more cheaply respond to ups and downs in customer demand, and (4) keep workers obedient and docile (and punish anyone trying to unionize) because workers need whatever hours they can get. So when you hear that the U.S. economy is creating lots of new jobs (288,000 jobs in June), be skeptical. Most are part-time.

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[pansypoo53219]

1. disposable workers.

[Fairgo]

2. A Permanent Temporary Workforce

I remember the first time I slid off the gyre and ended up working as an employment broker for a temp agency. It was a hell hole of desperation...like a low budget Glengarry Glenross, without all of the light hearted banter. I knew this was the future of labor in The U.S., and here it is parading as good news. You have to give those marketing hacks credit, that is one shiny turd.

[redruddyred]

3. according to chomsky, this sort of flexibility is good for the economy.

he keeps saying it in the lectures I listen to. of course it's worth asking, "whose economy?". cos it's certainly not mine.

this 20-something has learned to quit caring about money, or eating, and is much happier for it. let the ceos and middle managers enjoy the drama which they are singlehandedly responsible for.