---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 19 Sep 1997 09:52:51 -0500 From: Doug Henwood <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: PROGRESSIVE SOCIOLOGISTS NETWORK <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: happy American toilers Today's Wall Street Journal has a special supplement called "American Opinion," reporting on a quarterly survey on economics, politics, and values. It portrays a fairly happy populace. Specifically, 41% of those polled reported they were "very satisfied" with their degree of job security, and another 37% "somewhat satisfied." 61% were either very or somewhat satisfied with their opportunities for career advancement. 72% say "computers and new technology" have had a positive impact on their workplaces. There was a lot less satisfaction, dipping below 50% in most cases, with pay, worker "empowerment" schemes, and "women and minorities in management." (On the last question, 41% of men, 46% of women, 42% of whites, and 56% of African Americans said they had a positive impact on their employers. Exactly why people were satisfied or dissatisfied on this score wasn't explained). Over a third - 36% - of respondents got more satisfaction out of their work than their home lives, with just 34% taking the opposite position. While the dissatisfaction over pay is no surprise, the picture of workplace satisfaction, rather low levels of anxiety, and an upbeat picture of technology contradict a lot of left cliches. What are we to make of this? Doug -- Doug Henwood Left Business Observer 250 W 85 St New York NY 10024-3217 USA +1-212-874-4020 voice +1-212-874-3137 fax email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> web: <http://www.panix.com/~dhenwood/LBO_home.html>
