Laid-Off Workers Just Can’t Find Comparable Jobs

[papau]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/Business/job_quality_040112.html

Fun with Dick and Jane

The New Reality
Laid-Off Workers Just Can’t Find Comparable Jobs

By Dean Reynolds


Jan. 12
— Joe Stefano doesn't need the federal government to tell him it's tough to find a job.

Stefano, 56, was laid off two years ago from SBC Communications after 30 years as a systems engineer — laid off from a job that had paid him close to $100,000 annually. Now Stefano holds down a part-time job at a Best Buy in suburban Chicago and freelances. His annual income? "I'll be lucky if I can crack $10,000," he said. Stefano now relies on the income of his wife, a nurse, to keep the family solvent. He has two children in graduate school. "It's a completely different life," he said. "You can't live with a company for 30 years any more. It won't happen." For millions of Americans today, being employed means lowering your expectations. Accepting a New Reality The Labor Department said Friday that the nation's unemployment rate dropped to 5.7 percent in December, the lowest level in 14 months, but businesses overall added just 1,000 jobs.

The decrease in the jobless rate came instead from unsuccessful job seekers giving up their searches out of sheer frustration. The figures contained a few hints that better-paying jobs are returning, but for the most part the new positions are on the lower end of the pay scale. And now, with white collar jobs being farmed out to nations overseas, that situation is unlikely to change for years.


<snip>In Concord, N.H., Friday, Rep. Richard Gephardt was quick to pounce on the fact that only 1,000 new jobs were created in December. "With the recovery we're supposed to be at, adding a thousand jobs is pathetic," said Gephardt, D-Mo. "It's nothing short of pitiful and pathetic. This president is presiding over an economy that is still not producing jobs." On Wall Street there is still a lot of talk about an economic recovery, but on the street where people live and work, there is still precious little sign of it.

[bamademo]

1. Tell me about it

I was a Systems Admin and got laid off from a job that paid in the mid-40's (decent income in Alabama). I was out of work for 18 months and worked a series of shitty jobs that paid around 8-10 dollars an hour. I had to move in with my parents, cash in all my savings and I lost my health insurance.

I now have another job as a Computer Operator doing desktop support. It pays around $28000 a year. I moved out and have a roommate. I live from paycheck to paycheck but I have Health Insurance again. I can't afford to save any money out of my salary. I do consider myself better off than I was but it's just so frustrating to always be broke.

Thanks, Dubya. :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[CaptainClark23]

2. And on the other side

For those who have somehow managed to hold onto their jobs, we have this little gem (courtesy of Kephra on LBN):

http://www.forbes.com/markets/newswire/2004/01/13/rtr1208789.html

=snip=

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. agency that provides a safety net to company pension plans will announce a $10 billion deficit later this week, a congressman said Tuesday.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. had reported in October that it had an $8.8 billion deficit as of August, up from a fiscal 2002 deficit of $3.64 billion and a $7.73 billion surplus the previous year.

=endsnip=


That comes to a 17.73 Billion dollar loss to our pension protection in three years. We are hemorrhaging.

There is not going to be any social security, the pensions are tied to the capricious whims of the markets, and have no safety net. And how many American citizens do you think have the slightest inkling of this situation.....

[junker]

3. Aye, the Captain has nailed it again. Sheeple ain't looking up.

and the pensions will disolve. Reminds me of Russia in the meltdown. Going to be terrible and many will undoubtedly die early as the pressure/stress on society causes serious fractures in support levels.

When pensions go, the dollar goes, it will be like Argentina only we won't have the spectaclar entertainment of multiple resigning presidents.

Though here is a good prediction for you. Bush will use the excuse of the currency/financial crisis to NOT debate any demo candidate. Will say that can't spare the time.

[cosmicaug]

4. Predictions.

junker wrote

Though here is a good prediction for you. Bush will use the excuse of the currency/financial crisis to NOT debate any demo candidate. Will say that can't spare the time.

Just so you don't get to be the only one making predictions around here, I predict that, even while claiming to be so busy, Bush will still find the time for "working vacations" on the ranch.

By the way, the due date for $900/oz. of Au (according to your prediction) is coming in 18 days.