(Conlin, Michelle and Aaron Bernstein (2004) Working…and Poor”, BUSINESS WEEK, May 31, p. 60-68.

Globalization and other variables have created the working poor. They now constitute 25% of the workforce. They are generally white, work for less than the poverty level, do not have benefits, and live in multi-generational households. This group is expanding as borders open and Wal-mart type corporation’s impact wages everywhere.

They have high school or less in the way of education and are over 35. Their largest representation are in clerical and services.

As investment capital can move almost anywhere and labor can not, future job prospects indicate that future occupational openings will be in retail, customer service, cashiers, food preparation, custodians, and waiters. Two with some bright prospects are college professors with PhD’s and nurses.

Further, the middle class appears to be downsizing and there is a major bifurcation between two Americas. Upward mobility has dramatically decreased since the beginning of the 80’s.

This growing group could enjoy better conditions with subsidized child care, education grants, group health insurance, and labor & environmental standards in trading with other countries. Further, slowing immigration, increasing minimum wage, expanding earned income tax credit, reduction of payroll taxes, and unionization would all help.
However, the authors believe that the above will not happen.

BUSINESS WEEK’S editorial page (108) supports increased minimum wage, and aid for education and health care.

At any rate, this appears to be the future for America’s workforce. More jobs will be outsourced and replaced with clerical and custodial jobs in the future. What applies to 25% of the employee sector may increase to a larger percentage in the ensuing years.