ArmandV said:
Pach, ol' buddy, the problem with those items you posted is that while it's true manufacturing has been in a downward sprial for years, those workers who have been affected (before the current mess) went into something else through retraining and moving to other areas.
Maybe some have done some retraining, but the majority have found much lesser paying jobs or have just given up altogether and they are not included in the unemployment stats. Also, those whose benefits have run out are not included either. Therefore there are tens of thousands who are included.
Todays (November 20th) unemployment rate is the highest 4 week moving average in 25 years and now they are saying on the media that unemployment could reach 9 or 10% and some are even mentioning those that have not found new, similar employment and have given up. You watch, the true figures will eventually be let out and many will be shocked to find unemployment double what the government says it is.
If they aren't showing up in the unemployment stats, what do you suppose they are doing? Sitting and collecting welfare? No, they are doing something else.
Does, "Would you like fries with that?" or "Cheese or Pepperoni, sir?" or "Do you need odd jobs done?" sound familiar?
Let me give you an example. I recently hired a layed off union assembly line worker of 25 years with the Peterbuilt Corporation. (Peterbuilt manufactures big trucks). The company went on strike 6 months ago and the company locked them out and has not re-opened. His unemployment benefits ran out as well as his savings. Previously he was making more than $30/hr. He resurfaced my deck and stained it and did some needed painting around the house.
He is begging for "handyman" jobs at $12/hr and HE IS NO LONGER INCLUDED AS UNEMPLOYED and is not part of the statistic that the government puts out as he is "working off the books" so to speak and his benefits have run out! Therefore, he is not included any longer.
I believe there are tens of thousands like him and yes, some are living off of welfare as recent news in the Nashville/national area has reported on. It is bad and getting worse and the true statistics are not being reported for those that have given up and whse benefits have run out.