MARK KARLIN, EDITOR OF BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT

(Photo: Gory M. Grenier)

BuzzFlash at Truthout has often asserted that without systemic changed to the economic system, the notion that a lowering unemployment rate means workers are living better is highly flawed. That is because corporations and other employers are reducing the pay and benefits to hourly workers through a variety of means. These include lowering wages, decreasing or eliminating raises, turning full-time jobs into two part-time jobs to avoid providing benefits, creating temporary jobs to replace more expensive permanent employees, converting employee hires into consultant relationships (to eliminate benefits and payroll taxes for the companies), charging workers for items such as uniforms and instituting "work irregular hours at the will of the company" policies, among other employee exploitation tactics.

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On Sunday, November 23, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune profiled a college-educated single mother of two who is representative of the new wave of underemployed workers who require government assistance just to survive:

Finding a job in Southwest Florida that pays well enough to support two children as a single mother has been a challenge for Ceci Linton.

The $20-an-hour, part-time position doing substance abuse prevention education in Manatee County schools came close, but Linton was laid off earlier this year. Her new job pays substantially less — $14.50 an hour — and it’s also part time.

Most of Linton’s paycheck from her new position in retail sales goes toward rent. The irregular hours add to her child care costs, and she relies on the government to help with food and health care expenses.

The financial difficulties confronting Linton, 48, and many other lower-income workers across Southwest Florida illustrate one of the region’s more troubling economic realities: Having a job is no guarantee of financial security in today’s economy.

Of course, the safety net of support from local, state and federal programs is an ironic example of the government subsidizing corporations by allowing them to increase profits through lower pay and benefits. Linton's case - and millions upon millions like her - offers a vivid example of Elizabeth Warren's argument that the government provides money and services (and the education of workers) that enhance their bottom lines.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune writes of Linton:

Child support payments, Medicaid and the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — food stamps — help cover some expenses, but Linton is often short on cash and has relied on friends and family for financial assistance.

What’s more, even if she were working full time, Linton would still have a difficult time paying her bills on her current salary. Persistently low hourly pay is another reason many local families struggle.

Despite a dire job environment in terms of compensation, Linton - and others who are underemployed or unemployed - face rising rents and food prices. Remember also that Linton has a college degree; blue-collar workers with only high school degrees or who left school early confront, it is safe to say, an even more difficult search for jobs that pay a living wage.

The devastating irony of changes to the US economic system is that they are being undertaken to worsen conditions for US workers. Real systemic change would remove capitalist incentives to exploit the labor market.

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