Thanks, Robert. While I don't expect that this measure will generate 2.4 million jobs (Dean's estimate is "IF it reduced layoffs by 10%" -- a big "if"), it opens up a conversation about working time and employment that until now the AFL-CIO (and much of the so-called "left") has been reluctant to join.
On Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Robert Naiman <[email protected]>wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Center for Economic and Policy Research <[email protected]> > Date: Thu, Sep 8, 2011 at 8:43 PM > Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Statement from Dean Baker (CEPR) on The American > Jobs Act and Work Sharing > To: [email protected] > > > [image: CEPR > logo]<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FxZBraiKsePLVgyrtVTkxalbQ1oweSY7> > PRESS RELEASE: Statement on Work Sharing and the American Jobs Act > > *Work sharing could produce the equivalent of 2.4 million new jobs a year. > * > > > ------------------------------ > > *For Immediate Release:* September 8, 2011 > *Contact:* Alan Barber, 571-306-2526 > > *Washington, D.C.*- Following the President's address to Congress and the > announcement of the American Jobs Act, CEPR co-director Dean Baker released > the following statement: > > "It is encouraging to hear that President Obama included work sharing as > part of his jobs agenda. This is a job creation measure that both has been > shown to be successful and has the potential to break through partisan > gridlock. > > "The basic logic of work sharing is simple. Currently the government > effectively pays for workers to be unemployed with unemployment insurance. > Rather than just paying workers who have lost their job, work sharing allows > workers to be partially compensated for shorter work hours. Instead of 1 > worker getting half pay after losing her job, under work sharing 5 workers > may get 10 percent of their pay after their hours are cut by 20 percent. > > "This situation is likely to be better for both employees and employers. It > allows workers to maintain their jobs and continue to upgrade their skills. > It avoids a situation where workers may end up as long-term unemployed and > find it difficult to get re-employed. > > "This is also likely to be better from the standpoint of employers since it > keeps trained workers on the job. When demand picks up, they don’t need to > find and train new workers, they simply must increase hours for their > existing work force. > > "This approach has been a proven success in many countries, most > importantly Germany. The unemployment rate in Germany is half of a > percentage point below its pre-recession level even though its growth has > been no better than in the United States. If a work sharing program here in > the United States can reduce dismissals and layoffs by just 10 percent, it > would generate the equivalent of 2.4 million new jobs a year. > > "As a new approach, this plan may also get around Republican opposition. > Work sharing has drawn support across the political spectrum. AEI economist > Kevin Hassett, who was Senator McCain’s chief economist in his 2000 > campaign, has been a vocal proponent of work sharing. The policy in Germany > is fervently embraced by Germany’s conservative government. > > "It is encouraging that President Obama was willing to step outside the box > and try a new approach. If the Republicans cooperate, this policy could make > a big difference to millions of workers and their families." > > Work Sharing in the Long-version Fact Sheet for the American Jobs > Act<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KwY006gfQyfiNEsU5AjU4KlbQ1oweSY7>(see > p.11) > > ### > > > View our latest: > Reports<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FMx1QIdA9gz92Wy1LyhSDalbQ1oweSY7> > Op-eds & > Columns<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mGz3tRnj1iQLuQpPvvBCcqlbQ1oweSY7> > Data > Bytes<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2PUWlBYQ%2F7%2BmLporNXeDmqlbQ1oweSY7> > Events<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FAgFmx6%2FI%2B41q7s%2BRmEQf6lbQ1oweSY7> > > > About > The Center for Economic and Policy Research is an independent, nonpartisan > think tank that was established to promote democratic debate on the most > important economic and social issues that affect people's lives. 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