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Subscribe to Working-Class Perspectives - Working-Class Perspectives offers weekly commentaries on current issues related to working-class people and communities. Contributors discuss a variety of issues, from what class means to how it intersects with race and gender to how class is shaping American politics. We welcome relevant comments of 500 words or less.
For questions or comments about this blog, e-mail Sherry Linkon. For assistance with news stories about working-class politics and culture, call or e-mail John Russo, 330-207-8085. Categories
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The State of the Working Class
Listen to Working-Class Perspective editor Sherry Linkon's recent interview about Working-Class Studies on KERA's Think with Krys Boyd.Links
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Tag Archives: Unemployment
The “Other America”: The Poverty and Peril of Domestic Workers
America is mired in a crisis of unprecedented scope and depth. The disruption of the pandemic is draining for all of us, but for many, its consequences are dire. For the millions of people who’ve had little or no work … Continue reading
Unemployed Workers of the World Unite?!?
Karl Marx’s famous phrase spoke of the unemployed as the “industrial reserve army.” His argument was plain. Creating greater unemployment was a key tool in giving employers the upper hand in forcing down wages and disciplining workers. I can still … Continue reading
The New Precariat and Electoral Politics
During the Presidential campaign, Americans have heard endless discussions about unemployment. But neither candidate has said much, at least not directly, about precarious employment or about the new precariat – that growing group (some would even say the growing class) … Continue reading
Welcome to the Informal Economy
It’s graduation season, and while commencement speakers encourage graduates to work hard and pursue their dreams, most new grads are worried about finding a decent job. All their professors can suggest is that students use internships to gain valuable work … Continue reading
What Workers Really Need This Labor Day
For some, Labor Day marks the end of summer, one of the few remaining days to have a cook-out, and the time of year when public-school children return to school from summer vacation. For others, Labor Day is when retailers … Continue reading
Posted in Contributors, Issues, The Working Class and the Economy
Tagged job security, Labor Day, Unemployment, workers
2 Comments
Rethinking Work and Non-Work in the Recession
For over the last 18 months, the Center for Working-Class Studies has been publishing the “De Facto Unemployment Rate” (DFUR). The DFUR includes all those who are officially unemployed, those looking for work, the underemployed, disabled or in early retirement, … Continue reading
The House is on Fire
A few weeks ago, Charlie Rose facilitated a discussion about the perils of the U.S. national debt among a thoughtful, articulate group of one politician, two businessmen, and two economists. Except for a brief discussion of the bond market, I … Continue reading
Posted in Contributors, Issues, Jack Metzgar, The Working Class and the Economy
Tagged Class and economics, debt, Great Recession, Jobs, labor movement, Obama, Unemployment
7 Comments
The De Facto Unemployment Rate: 25.12%.
Ever since the early 1980s, residents of the Youngstown area have always been skeptical of government’s official unemployment rate. In 1982, the official unemployment rate hit 24.9% but declined to around 12% in early 1984. The Ohio governor and city … Continue reading
Posted in John Russo, The Working Class and the Economy
Tagged Class and economics, Unemployment, Youngstown
18 Comments
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