Monday, September 1, 2008

Happy Labor Day, U.S. Workers

Any worker in America will not find this report shocking at all.

"Study: Workers worse off on pay, employment; Rutgers scorecard cites higher debt, healthcare costs" by Associated Press | September 1, 2008

NEW YORK - This Labor Day finds workers in worse shape than they've been in years, according to a scorecard released today by Rutgers University.

In its first national labor scorecard, the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations said more than 10 percent of Americans are unemployed, discouraged from seeking work, or underemployed. That is a nearly 25-percent increase from one year earlier.

Hi.

Professor Douglas Kruse, a labor economist who created the scorecard, said a sharp decline in the number of Americans able to find full-time jobs, along with growing consumer debt and healthcare costs, were causes for concern.

"But there are some bright spots long term," Kruse said, including improvements in workplace safety, a small but growing percentage of employers offering support for childcare and employee wellness programs, and more Americans who are completely satisfied with their jobs.

What, they upgrading the quality of shit they serve us?

Meanwhile, the Labor Department last week said the number of people signing up for jobless benefits declined for the third straight period, but remained above 400,000 - an indicator of a slowing economy.

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