temporary jobs in rise in today's shifting economy

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CONTRACT_WORKERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-05-19-06-33-23

WASHINGTON (AP) -- While the U.S. economy has improved since the Great Recession ended five years ago, part-time and "contract" workers are filling many of the new jobs.

Contract workers made up less than half of one percent of all U.S. employment in the 1980s but now account for 2.3 percent. Economists predict contract workers will play a larger role in the years ahead.

They are a diverse army of laborers, ranging from janitors, security officers, home-care and food service-workers to computer programmers, freelance photographers and illustrators. Many are involved in manufacturing. Many others are self-employed, working under contracts that lay out specific responsibilities and deadlines.

Labor leaders and many economists worry. Contract workers have less job security and don't contribute to the economy through spending as much as permanent, full-time workers. Nor do they have the same job protections. Few are union members.

[marmar]

1. k/r

[winter is coming]

2. Hey, GOP! What's your plan to fix this? Another dozen votes to repeal the ACA? n/t

[Stainless]

3. Freelance work kept me employed.....

I spent 43 years as an Industrial Facilities Designer in a very cut throat environment. I performed contract and temporary work because I had to in order to survive. I had the knowledge, the skills and the experience that were in demand. I finally retired on my own terms about three years ago and haven't looked back since. I feel sorry for people who must compete for low paying jobs in this economy.

[IronLionZion]

4. Yup, also less likely to purchase homes, delay starting families, etc.

contractors must always be ready to stop getting a paycheck with no notice, or have to move.

Even among DU, some assume that contract workers must be rolling around in benjamins like pigs in filth. The reality is commuting 4 hours 120 miles a day for work that we are woefully overqualified to do until someone comes along who will do it for less.

F the republicans