I'm a part-time union worker. Been working retail for 29 years. You spend, I earn.

[bigtree]

We all want good, long-term, better paying jobs. But, in the discussions here, I've noticed a tendency by some to talk down part-time, seasonal, temporary work. There's also been quite a few posts decrying the fact that most of the jobs created lately are in the retail and service industries.

Theses criticisms have been offered as a retort to the economic news which shows a 21 month, upward trend in folks finding work. There are 'seasonal' jobs being created now which are mostly temporary, but can lead to permanent positions if business is strong enough.

In the survey, temporary jobs are increasing. Temporary jobs are, in fact, one of the leading indicators of an improving job market. Many businesses take in temporary workers and retain many of those jobs if economic conditions continue to support them.

Retail and service jobs mean income for those lucky enough to have and keep them. We'd all like to see America actually make more things to sell, rather that just trade in our labor and what we can provide, but for many of us, most of us, we make our living based on how much folks spend in our businesses.

The tone of the criticisms of some are that there's something denigrating about retail or service jobs and that they should be dismissed as aberrations or insignificant in the overall effort to increase employment. Some have even discouraged the spending that normally occurs this time of year.

That spending is what determines whether or not my employer will consider giving me enough hours to survive. That business means a paycheck for me and others who happen to hold these types of positions. Hope that matters for folks out there critiquing the employment news.