Businesses continue to close

[TW]

I just heard on the phone where an Ace Hardware store here in Rockford may be closing. I know... they have a rough time competing in today's market, and people just aren't buying anything - they can't afford it!

Yet, this particular Ace has always been special to me, and I've made it a point to stop there and shop whenever I could.

They always went beyond what an Ace Hardware store had. They even had special jams & jellies, that you just can't get anywhere else, and their housewares were beyond unbelievable.

My wife and I bought our "Brown Betty" there, and so many special things that you just can't find in most stores.

Walking through their aisles was like Christmas to us. We just loved all the special items they have had over the years.

There was something else that made this place even more special. There was only a handful of employees that weren't retirees. The younger employees were there for the tougher jobs that could only be served by youth.

The rest, the clerks, and those who worked in departments, were helpful, friendly, courteous, and above all, knew what the hell they were talking about when you asked them for help. It wasn't some kid trying to sell you something that he didn't even know what it was, or did.

It's sad how things happen. The trickle down effect of lost jobs creating more lost jobs. It didn't happen overnight, and now I can understand just a little bit better how people felt who survived the depression, and why they held onto every nickel they could when times were good, because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow.

[brewerbruce]

It sounds like Elliot's Ace Hardware located in the Milwaukee area...they have 3 or 4 stores and they are the most helpful / knowledgeable employees you could ask for. We like shopping there as well

(Elliots isn't closing - I didn't want to be sending that message)

[packerconvert]

New construction up this quarter.

www.wcbs880.com/pages/5239571.php?

[amoeba15]

U.S. employers hiring workers, retailers lead: survey

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. employers are slowly hiring workers, despite the worst labor market in 26 years, according to a survey on Monday that suggested companies are becoming more confident in the economy's prospects.

The survey by global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed that in the nine months through September, employers announced plans to hire 169,385 workers this year, 88 percent more than the planned hires announced in the same period in 2008.

"Of course, these figures represent just a tiny fraction of the hiring and available jobs out there. There is no doubt that this is a tight job market. However, it would be a mistake to assume that no one is hiring," said John Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

The weak labor market remains the missing link in the economy's recovery from a recession that started at the end of of 2007. The economy is believed to have started growing again in the third quarter, driven by the rebuilding of inventories and the government's $787 billion stimulus package.

With unemployment remaining elevated and pushing down household incomes, there are fears that the economy would recover at a sluggish pace. The unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent in September, the highest level in 26 years, from 9.7 percent in August.

The Challenger, Gray & Christmas survey showed most of the hiring plans this year came from the retail sector, one area that has been hardest hit by the recession. Employers in the retail sector announced plans to hire 33,640 workers, compared to less than 4,000 in all of 2008.

It was followed by the government and non-profit sector, with plans to add 28,469 workers. The entertainment and leisure industry planned hiring 22,370 new workers, the survey showed.

"Within the hidden job market are companies that plan to fill positions through employee referrals, those that use recruiters to find the right candidates, as well as those that have no plans to hire, but will do so if the right person comes along," said Challenger.

"The labor market is extremely fluid, even in the worst of times. Companies are constantly adding and subtracting workers, sometimes simultaneously."

www.reuters.com/article/gc04/idUSTRE59B4DS20091012

[TW]

I heard something yesterday that was alarming. Employers know that there's a glut of potential workers out there, and are systematically able to eliminate "undesirables" in giving out jobs. It's very easy to do when there are an average of 32 people applying for each semi-skilled job in a given region.

When I say "undesirable," I'm not referring to felons released from prison, or anyone else who violated the law. I'm referring to older applicants, minorities, and those with infirmities, or who have members of their families who are dealing with health issues.

It reminds me of something...

[amoeba15]

TW,

Tis wrong and truly a shame.

I expect that the 'new' workforce will receive lower pay and will receive far fewer benefits and benefits, such as health care, will cost employees much, much more.

Unless class action suits/legal actions are brought against employers, employees are going to be forced to take whatever is dished out to them.

Hopefully, truth and justice prevails. However, it is important to initially get people hired and back to work ASAP and then, address the violations. I personally do not want employers to fear hiring employees because of potential law suits.