Labor Day 2008

Data is Downer

BY ILYSE SHAPIRO

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 1:33 PM EDT

Wynnewood, PA - September 1 marks the 114th celebration of Labor Day. In 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday of each September a legal holiday to pay tribute to the social and economic achievements of the American worker.

This year, there is not a lot to celebrate when so many Americans can’t find jobs or must work multiple positions to make ends meet.

I have analyzed recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data which shows that many of us are worse off this year than we were just one year ago (July 2008 vs. July 2007 comparisons; data seasonally adjusted):

The unemployment rate currently stands at 5.7 percent, as opposed to 4.7 percent one year ago.

More than 1.4 million Americans are employed in part-time positions for economic reasons, not by choice.

An additional 109,000 individuals hold multiple jobs.

We have 778,000 more job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs.

603,000 additional individuals are unemployed between 5-14 weeks; 716,000 15 weeks and over.

The original intention of Labor Day was to “pay tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” When so many of us currently struggle to keep the jobs we have, or to find new employment, the true meaning of Labor Day seems to be obscured.

Ilyse R. Shapiro is the founder of www.MyPartTimePRO.com, a job search web site that connects educated and accomplished individuals with employers who hire flexible, professional-level staff. For more information, call 610-642-7427.