Exactly! It's so annoying to hear people chalk today's labor shortages up to increased unemployment benefits. I worked FT for 51 years. More than once when I was in a position that was under threat of being eliminated I moved to a better paying more secure position. During those 51 years I worked on a few youth employment projects so can't believe anyone thinks the way to solve today's labor shortages is to roll back child labor laws. That's about the worst idea they could come up with.
Rather than solve their labor shortage the tried and tested way, by bringing migrant workers in, helping them get legal and eventually US citizen status, such politicians would send Wisconsin back to the 1800's, Dickens' time.
In The Christmas Carol and other books, Charles Dickens wrote about the horrors of child labor and its impact on society: "Dickens could foresee how child labour would gradually be a part of a social disorder and finally culminate into a social curse through centuries. He could foresee what curse evils such as child labour‟ could bring to society. It could only lead to the degradation and indignity of humanity." https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijsell/v2-i2/1.pdf
I thought pandemic unemployment ended a few weeks ago. There have been recent tales of people who apply for dozens of jobs and never get an offer, suggesting that some employers actually like their bottom line when they have fewer workers and that the help-wanted signs are just an act to get more of the pandemic funds for employers. Personally, I think maybe we don't really need a Burger King and a McDonald's on every corner, and that maybe these aren't essential services like child care and eldercare.
I read a story like that too! A guy who applied for like 60 jobs and got maybe 5 interviews and one offer but that offer was for a rate below the one advertised.
On the other hand, I know of at least one locally owned foodservice business here in Hamden that has a genuine need for more cashiers and cooks. He's been advertising for a few weeks now, ever since one employee had a ruptured appendix.
And make fun of it you should! Who’s going to pick those 14-year-old “workers” up when their shift ends at 11? The parents whose kids work just for spending money (like me) will say no and shift even more of the burden to those who can’t afford to say no, and/or take public transport or walk to/from work … so long nights walking home alone. I hate this.
If you read Victorian novels, though, you'll understand how the cold dark walk home after a rousing 14 hours in the factory can be the best and only reflective time for the worker.
to those union bashers remember it was not long ago that the Congress passed the 40 hour work week legislation....fast forward to today and we see this "wind back the clock" mindset ruling in Wisconsin....sickening!
States that have ended the federal enhanced payments saw no increase in workers available seeking.
The reports I have read seem to infer it is a withdrawal from the work force by women. What thinking person doesn't think this is impacted by safety concerns for their children in a recurring pandemic.
My own observations are there has been a huge disruption in child care for our youngest citizens and frankly when available the cost of daycare is enough to make the decision to return to work tougher. Until we prioritize day care for working people being affordable, safe,
I feel so lucky we found a good and somewhat affordable place for our 5-month-old. It’s affordable bc we take her only two days/week & cover the other days ourselves. Affordable = $85/day, which I’m pretty sure is among the lowest in Fairfield Cty.
Holy cow. I remember being THRILLED when my oldest son potty-trained, because that was $50 less a week I had to spend for him in full-time daycare. To a single mother, even one with a decent-paying job, that was huge.
What a bad move that would be. It would surely allow employers to pressure kids to work later & most likely longer hours during the school week. That leaves even less time for schoolwork, creating a wider gap in achievement. This is from 2 years ago, but it mentions what I witnessed with my own kids. Kids have a lot more to do for school than we did a generation ago. I was a top student, did some afterschool activities, had a decent social life, AND had a job (sometimes two). I don't see that working well in today's world. A lot of kids stay up late just doing schoolwork. First priority at that age, IMO, should be getting an education while maintaining good physical & mental health. The kids should be preparing to be productive, independent adults. If work fits into that, great. However, the kids already seem overburdened and this seems to be moving in the direction of business wellbeing first at the expense of kids.
(I'm sure there are research papers on this. Maybe instead of listening to business owners, they should consult with child psychologists, pediatricians, and educators.)
Exactly! Workers in various states struggle to keep up with demand. But rather than bring more workers in, Republicans in various are acting for bosses and against labor. They want to negate the US labor movement and take us back to the 1930's.
Yes. All workers need Decent wages, safe working conditions AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE!
What Lola said? Amen.
Exactly! It's so annoying to hear people chalk today's labor shortages up to increased unemployment benefits. I worked FT for 51 years. More than once when I was in a position that was under threat of being eliminated I moved to a better paying more secure position. During those 51 years I worked on a few youth employment projects so can't believe anyone thinks the way to solve today's labor shortages is to roll back child labor laws. That's about the worst idea they could come up with.
'In May of 2021, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a Republican-sponsored resolution calling on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to send aid and support to help secure the Mexico border and enforce immigration laws.' https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-wisconsin-immigration-government-and-politics-8fba5a7eac94a381aea5f77d0bfdf154
Rather than solve their labor shortage the tried and tested way, by bringing migrant workers in, helping them get legal and eventually US citizen status, such politicians would send Wisconsin back to the 1800's, Dickens' time.
In The Christmas Carol and other books, Charles Dickens wrote about the horrors of child labor and its impact on society: "Dickens could foresee how child labour would gradually be a part of a social disorder and finally culminate into a social curse through centuries. He could foresee what curse evils such as child labour‟ could bring to society. It could only lead to the degradation and indignity of humanity." https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijsell/v2-i2/1.pdf
Well done.
Wow.
Big "feed the machine with workers the machine must LIVE!" energy in this one. In Wisconsin and similar proposals, I mean.
A logical consequence of the Brilliant Discovery under and with Ronald Reagan that you can define short-sightedness as thrift.
Amen. Let the kids shoulder this!
*weep*
And ketchup as a vegetable.
Remember that? I do.
I thought pandemic unemployment ended a few weeks ago. There have been recent tales of people who apply for dozens of jobs and never get an offer, suggesting that some employers actually like their bottom line when they have fewer workers and that the help-wanted signs are just an act to get more of the pandemic funds for employers. Personally, I think maybe we don't really need a Burger King and a McDonald's on every corner, and that maybe these aren't essential services like child care and eldercare.
So, wait. Conservative-types are lying? Cue the fainting couch!
I read a story like that too! A guy who applied for like 60 jobs and got maybe 5 interviews and one offer but that offer was for a rate below the one advertised.
It's been speculated that employers are also using the "help wanted" signs to excuse slow or poor service, especially at the fast-food joints.
Really? That's just lame.
On the other hand, I know of at least one locally owned foodservice business here in Hamden that has a genuine need for more cashiers and cooks. He's been advertising for a few weeks now, ever since one employee had a ruptured appendix.
And make fun of it you should! Who’s going to pick those 14-year-old “workers” up when their shift ends at 11? The parents whose kids work just for spending money (like me) will say no and shift even more of the burden to those who can’t afford to say no, and/or take public transport or walk to/from work … so long nights walking home alone. I hate this.
Stop applying logic to these comments. That's not allowed.
If you read Victorian novels, though, you'll understand how the cold dark walk home after a rousing 14 hours in the factory can be the best and only reflective time for the worker.
Have you no spirit for Romance?
Good point. I'm a dunce.
We're just not as Spiritual as the proponents of child labor.
to those union bashers remember it was not long ago that the Congress passed the 40 hour work week legislation....fast forward to today and we see this "wind back the clock" mindset ruling in Wisconsin....sickening!
States that have ended the federal enhanced payments saw no increase in workers available seeking.
The reports I have read seem to infer it is a withdrawal from the work force by women. What thinking person doesn't think this is impacted by safety concerns for their children in a recurring pandemic.
My own observations are there has been a huge disruption in child care for our youngest citizens and frankly when available the cost of daycare is enough to make the decision to return to work tougher. Until we prioritize day care for working people being affordable, safe,
and effective parents will choose to not use it.
I feel so lucky we found a good and somewhat affordable place for our 5-month-old. It’s affordable bc we take her only two days/week & cover the other days ourselves. Affordable = $85/day, which I’m pretty sure is among the lowest in Fairfield Cty.
Holy cow. I remember being THRILLED when my oldest son potty-trained, because that was $50 less a week I had to spend for him in full-time daycare. To a single mother, even one with a decent-paying job, that was huge.
What a bad move that would be. It would surely allow employers to pressure kids to work later & most likely longer hours during the school week. That leaves even less time for schoolwork, creating a wider gap in achievement. This is from 2 years ago, but it mentions what I witnessed with my own kids. Kids have a lot more to do for school than we did a generation ago. I was a top student, did some afterschool activities, had a decent social life, AND had a job (sometimes two). I don't see that working well in today's world. A lot of kids stay up late just doing schoolwork. First priority at that age, IMO, should be getting an education while maintaining good physical & mental health. The kids should be preparing to be productive, independent adults. If work fits into that, great. However, the kids already seem overburdened and this seems to be moving in the direction of business wellbeing first at the expense of kids.
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/06/why-so-few-teenagers-have-jobs-anymore.html
(I'm sure there are research papers on this. Maybe instead of listening to business owners, they should consult with child psychologists, pediatricians, and educators.)
Exactly! Workers in various states struggle to keep up with demand. But rather than bring more workers in, Republicans in various are acting for bosses and against labor. They want to negate the US labor movement and take us back to the 1930's.
If only that were true for all kids!