Utne #4

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Utne Response #4 Breaking the Job Lock page 47 by Andrew Kimbrell

I found this article to be very interesting, I especially liked the illustration on page 46. I think this picture describes what many people are feeling in the workplace. The author points out several factors that influence workers. Eighty-eight percent of workers in a recent poll stated their jobs required them to work longer and faster than ever before. As many as 80 percent say their jobs seem "meaningless." The message is that more people are dissatisfied at their jobs. In earlier generations work was a part of everyday life. People worked at home farming, or in some trade or craft. During the industrial revolution workers were forced to leave the home to work in factories for wages. The article also pointed out the fact that even in a democratic society the workplace is essentially a dictatorship. As 1980's greed began to dominate the world economy American workers have been inducted into a very different workplace. Downsizing and corporate restructuring have placed workers in a precarious position. Workers have taken a back seat to the stockholders and to the bottom line of increased profits. Job security is rare in this modern workplace. Yet, workers dare not speak out for fear of losing their livelihood.

Many corporations in recent years have closed or moved to low wage areas causing workers to be uprooted. Workers are anxious and anticipating the next move as their company relocates or closes permanently often leaving communities devastated. This has forced extended families to be separated.

There were several suggestions to help remedy some of these modern day worker ills. A new vision of good work will involve pressure on corporations to make commitments to communities where they locate. Unions can be willing to push for workers having more input into the decisions that affect their jobs. National health insurance would help ease the burden on workers in between jobs. To implement these improvements in the American workplace we will as a nation have to become less greedy and more insightful.

-- Anonymous, May 16, 1999


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