Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
American Dream Out of Reach for Most Americans
American Dream Still Alive But Out of Reach for Most Americans
Thursday, March 10, 2011
New Survey Shows Widespread Concern About Wages, Healthcare, Gas Prices
WASHINGTON, DC -- A majority of working Americans now believe their children are going to be worse off economically than they are, according to a poll of 800 non-supervisory workers released today by Change to Win (CtW). This, along with other striking results, reveals that on Labor Day 2006, the American Dream is slipping away. Among the key findings:
- A majority of workers say the number one issue they face is that the wages they are paid are not keeping up with the cost of living.
- More than half expect to have to work longer before retiring than they thought they would five years ago.
- More than a third have been forced to go into debt in the last year just to pay for basic necessities like food, utilities, and gasoline.
The survey also found a substantial majority believe that by joining together with other workers in unions, workers can help restore the American Dream.
The "American Dream Survey: Hope and Fear in Working America" was conducted by Lake Research Partners, a Washington, DC-based polling firm.
Change to Win chair Anna Burger said CtW commissioned the Labor Day survey to see how the country is contributing to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of working Americans -- the people who contribute most to the nation's strength, prosperity, and well-being.
"We've known for a long time that working Americans are being squeezed," said Burger. "But these results tell us that five years into an economic recovery working families are feeling battered, and are losing hope for the future."
The survey found that while the ideal of the American Dream is still very much alive for working families, most see it slipping away. Also, more than eight out of ten non-supervisory workers in America say that that no matter what you hear about the economy, working families are falling behind.
Survey participants were asked to describe the American Dream and the vast majority spoke about being able to make ends meet, not worrying about debt or meeting basic expenses, and ensuring a good future for their families. When asked to rate attributes of the American Dream, the top scorers were: being proud of the work you do, being able to ensure a better future for your children, owning a home, having affordable health care, having a secure and dignified retirement, and feeling secure in your job.
"The American Dream for American workers is simple, direct, and powerful," said Burger. "It is not driven by personal greed, and its fulfillment is not great individual wealth, but core American values."
More than half of working Americans believe that the American Dream is still achievable, but only 14% believe they have obtained it. Among the top economic concerns of the majority of working Americans: keeping up with the cost of living, rising gas prices, and rising health care costs.
On the issue worrying most workers, health care, they feel strongly (61%) -- and 82% overall agree -- that America cannot rely on the marketplace for health insurance; government has a responsibility to make sure Americans have health insurance.
Burger said the findings should set off alarm bells for Congress and urged them to focus their attention on the very real issues facing the majority of American families -- good jobs, decent wages, affordable healthcare, and retirement security.
She also said the survey findings confirmed Change to Win's belief that while the American Dream is at risk in an economy that fails to respect or reward work, workers are ready for change, and see joining together as the way to make change happen.
"Our challenge," concluded Burger, "is to move forward and build on the hope that workers have and increase our efforts to unite more workers in their industries. The challenge to America -- from the corporate boardroom to Congress -- from Wall Street to Pennsylvania Avenue -- is to remain true to the workers who do the jobs that make the profits. Working Americans are the foundation of our country and our economy. We must keep the dream real for them and for future generations."
The poll was conducted in August 2006, for Change to Win by Lake Research Partners, and surveyed a random national sample of 800 non-supervisory American working adults.
Monday, April 25, 2011
LA Teacher layoffs
LA Teacher layoffs - coming to a district near you
Monday, April 25, 2011
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- LAUSD employees who are set to be laid off are speaking out at a Monday hearing about how the budget cuts are affecting the students.
The district is facing a massive budget deficit and the loss of federal stimulus dollars, meaning thousands of jobs are on the line. However, the district says it is committed to keeping teachers in the classroom.
The LAUSD and the teachers union are going head to head over notices that would send thousands of Los Angeles Unified School District teachers to the unemployment line.
Monday's Reduction in Force hearing was set to involve attorneys from the district and the United Teachers Union of Los Angeles. An administrative law judge will decide if the district followed policy when giving out the layoff notices.
"Morale obviously is very down since the March 15 pink slip distribution. It's a humiliating experience," said teacher Jennifer Preuss.
Meanwhile, the students are stuck in the middle of the battle.
"It's taking away the food for the mind. You can't cut from the inside out. It just doesn't make any sense," said Preuss.
Over 5,000 layoff notices were handed out to balance the brimming $400 million budget deficit - a solution that not everyone is willing to swallow.
"We talk about, you know, continuity, consistency, and these kids are going to get so many teachers, just like a revolving door," said teacher Anita Hawatin.
If the layoffs go through, it would mean students would see, among other things, an increase in class size. Many teachers say they are already at full capacity in the classroom.
"There's just no other place. I couldn't even imagine where I would put that many extra children," said another teacher.
Superintendent John Deasy says there is a way to save most of these jobs. He proposed a one-year emergency fix that includes 12 furlough days and borrowing a sum from a surplus. He said the plan would rescind 80 percent of the layoff notices for at least one year. However, he said the teachers union has yet to accept that offer.
"I think one year of employment is better than unemployment," said Deasy. "We need our teachers and we need our principals and our classified workers. We need our union to come to the table in partnership and save their membership."
The teachers union says other options need to be explored. Some said that they would be willing to take 12 furlough days if it meant they could keep their jobs.
If the layoff notices hold, thousands of teachers and school professionals will be let go effective June 30.