Anger about Substandard Jobs in America

16 Replies

“The reality that tens of millions of American workers — black and white — are stuck in substandard jobs has finally broken through into mainstream political and economic discourse. The fact was obvious if you just went out and spoke to ordinary Americans, but it wasn’t showing up in the usual economic data….Virtually all of the net jobs created in the past decade are “non-standard” — temp, part-time, contract work, or something other than a traditional job with a normal paycheck.“-Robert Kuttner , co-founder American Prospect

This is from an article on the Huff Post , “Race, Class, Jobs and the 2016 Earthquake.” Some of the powers that be have figured out what is going on with our job situation in the US and it is not good.

Featured image of Colonel Saito from the film “Bridge on the River Kwai” via noslelnad7 on Flickr.

 

 

16 thoughts on “Anger about Substandard Jobs in America”

    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      This is why there is support for Trump and Sanders. People want someone outside of the current system. I hope my country’s leaders do start listening to their own citizens and start addressing these issues.

      Liked by 1 person

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      3. Bee Halton

        I am not if they are exactly the same but the so-called minimum wage jobs are not really much better because it usually doesn’t cover everything you need. Most of your wage goes for rent. So you are dependent on state benefits which are cut down since the Tory’s are in. They just raised minimum wage but the big companies try all tricks possible to safe at other parts. Its a disgrace really

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Deborah Drucker Post author

        Yes it does sound about the same as here. I just read another article about the US Senate cafeteria workers who were paid such low wages that one was homeless, one was on food stamps, and one lady worked on the side as a stripper so she could feed her family: https://ourfuture.org/20160404/interfaith-coalition-calls-for-moral-action-on-the-economy?utm_source=progressive_breakfast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pbreak
        It was so embarrassing for the Senate that they had to see that the people got more money.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Bee Halton

        I really don’t get it. How can politicians allow these differences in income and then wonder why their voters run to people like Trump. Mind you I doubt Trump pays his staff proper wages. There is a reason why he is rich. Unfortunately, those who follow these kind of guys don’t think it through. Ah don’t get me started. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Deborah Drucker Post author

        I think many of the politicians, ruling class, elites or whatever we want to call them don’t get it because they are rich, have good salaries,great medical benefits, and are clueless to how the average person has to live. Trump appeals to some of the people because he has given voice to this issue. He has spoken against moving jobs off shore. I know some of his other statements are pretty far out about immigration etc. People are so frustrated that they appreciate that he is talking about what effects them. Bernie Sanders is appealing to the some of the same. The message to rest of the politicians is that they better start listening.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Yolanda Renee

    So sad, and so very, very true. My husband worked for the same company for 10 years. They laid him off, and then hired him back for thousands less than he was making before the layoff. That happened in 2008. His wage increases are always less than 2% and barely over 1%. When healthcare changed they fired all the lower level full time workers and offered only part time jobs at 20 hours per week or less so they wouldn’t have to offer healthcare through the company. Now many of those same workers are working at 3 different places just to make full time hours. It’s beyond ridiculous! The attitude on behalf of the employers that if you don’t like it we’ll find someone who will, keeps all workers towing the line. My heart is broken – we have fallen so far!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Well I think it is important for people to tell their stories about what is happening. I have read about this trend, that has been going on for quite awhile, for companies to hire workers for less hours so they don’t have to provide health benefits. I feel like we have gone backwards as well. 😦

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. cleemckenzie

    Yes, this is one of our biggest problems in the U.S. and at least someone is addressing it out loud. Interestingly enough, it’s one of the biggest problems in Cuba, too. Does this sound ironic or is it just me?

    Liked by 1 person

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      1. cleemckenzie

        We may be winning. We certainly have lost our leadership. If I weren’t an American deep in my heart, I’d set out to find a country with people at the helm who had vision and passion for what we should stand for. And there you have my political side showing. Thanks for the post today.

        Liked by 1 person

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