12 Responses to “Over 20,000 Unemployed In Escambia, Santa Rosa”

1. David Huie Green on October 22nd, 2009 12:12 pm

   surely there would be a number of factors to consider.

   They also have to consider how to weight the factors.

   For example, cheap labor is useless if the laborer does not know how to do the work you have in mind. similarly, expensive labor is acceptable if it accomplishes the task you have in mind better than cheaper labor elsewhere.

   A butcher can cut a person open fairly cheaply but will not do as good a job of healing a person as a surgeon does, even though the surgeon is more expensive.

   Most people can be trained but only if they exhibit a willingness to learn.

   I am reminded how Starter pulled out when they realized some members of their work force were stealing from them and the juries released the thieves.

   That’s a factor too.

2. bleh on October 21st, 2009 9:42 pm

   starlight , In some countries they make $3.00 a day stitching together soccer balls, by your logic, if the cost of living was low there, then its a good choice for people to build businesses there, to exploit that..

   Cheap, uneducated, labor.

3. starlight on October 20th, 2009 6:25 pm

   Bleh; they were moving a plant to the US. There were 4 states up for the plant… Korea was not in the running this time, as THEY WERE MOVING A PLANT TO THE US TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND! I guess you did not read that part of the article : “It was announced at the end of last year that Hyundai was considering four states in the US in which to base the plant – Ohio, Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi. Ohio state was originally considered the most aggressive bidder, as it houses component providers and is near states such as Indiana and Michigan, which have established auto supply chains. However, by February this year, the Koreans had narrowed their choice to Kentucky and Alabama.”

   And yes, the cost of Labor is cheaper in Alabama than in those other states mentioned above because our COST OF LIVING IS CHEAPER!!!! So they can pay us cheaper wages because our property tax like on my $210,000.00 home with one acres is only $640.00 for an entire year…. Way lower cost of living. Also our unemployment is a lot cheaper, not because we are worth less, because we PAY LESS to LIVE. Sheesh—

4. K.B. on October 20th, 2009 5:18 pm

   Listen, folks, when you are down to the last penny, even$ 7.25 an hour is better than nothing. we pampered Americans have forgotten how to make do. We donot need cable, booze, tobbaco, movies, and 40-11 different items to choose from in the grocery store. Yes, times are tough but with trimming our expenses we can make do with less than we think we can. So the job doesn’t pay $15 an hour, I’ll say it again, $7.25 is better than nothing!!

5. Billy on October 20th, 2009 5:00 pm

   We would be having the inflation problem if we destroyed a huge portion of money and got back on the gold standard. Our dollar is worthless. We should tax the heck out of imports and force our companies back to the United States. Then our job problem is fixed. Once we get rid of all the excess money printed since droping the gold standard this will force prices to drop and cost of living to go down. We have to realize that not everyone can nor ever will live in the middle and/or upper class. This country can not function without those 8-10 dollar an hour jobs and there are people out there just for them. 8-10 dollars an hour isn’t bad when the dollar is actually worth something.

6. bleh on October 20th, 2009 2:58 pm

   “Mong Koo Chung, chairman of Hyundai, emphasised that Alabama had been extremely generous with tax allowances. It is on this attribute, as well as a low cost labour force and strictly-controlled unions, that the state has attracted four car manufacturers to invest there in the past 10 years.”

   per this article http://www.fdimagazine.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/107/Hyundai_won_over_by_Alabama%92s_southern_charm.html

   I can’t find the article I had before, but basically they get a cheap deal in alabama, notice the “low cost labor force” it was cheaper for them to select Alabama, than Korea

   “The package is made up of $234.6m from state and local incentives including $76.7m in various tax rebates. Alabama legislature put out a $118m bond issue to help raise funds and $18.2m was provided by electricity, natural gas, telecoms and local services.”

   Alabama basically just let the koreans do what they want here.

   Its sad that the only thing Alabama has going for it, is our state reps saying ” we have uneducated workers, and our labor is really cheap!”

   Sure it created jobs, but the workers in alabama have few protections compared to all other states

7. starlight on October 20th, 2009 12:35 pm

   I’d like to see where this CEO supposedly said that…. I have two cousins (brothers) that work there. One just started and make $16 and hour and the other has been there about 2 years or so (I think) and he make $18… And one of them has 1 year of college and dropped out and the other does have a 2 year degree in something that has nothing to do with what he is doing. I don’t think they pay that good in Korea, LOL…. Just saying. And the only thing that Escambia is looking for is the tourist dollar, well guess what, NO ONE HAS MONEY for lavish vacations right now, try to get industry that is year round money making!

8. lonnie james stephens on October 20th, 2009 11:29 am

   Compare Mobile to Pensacola, and Alabama as a whole. No wonder Florida has a high unemployment rate. Alabama actively seeks out high paying, high quality jobs. Florida does not. I live here in Escambia County Florida, my whole life. From what I see, they only want tourism jobs. This is not Orlando, or Miami. I think they are putting too many eggs in one basket, and dreaming for the rest.

9. bleh on October 20th, 2009 10:55 am

   Alabama has no employee protections when it comes to work. Even if you are sick in the hospital for a day they can fire you. Its “at will” employment.

   Right now people are willing to work for less, so companies are laying off all the full timers and hiring part time to avoid having to pay medical insurance or any benefits.

   Alabama is becoming like mexico, but in the united states. In terms of how workers are treated here.

   You have to ask yourself why hyundai would build a plant in alabama vs any other state? Easy, they can get away with the most here , the CEO said the labor price was comparable to “korea” thats right, Alabama workers get paid less than they do in Korea

10. Cynical on October 20th, 2009 10:43 am

    The work ethic of the Great Depression is a lost art. Time was, a man would do whatever necessary to feed and clothe his family. Now he simply “takes off” leaving the state to pick up the tab for his responsibilities.

    The “hard core” unemployed will always be looking at the free ride.

    Those unemployed who understand the meaning of work are soon not unemployed.

    Those in between who simply temporarily “cannot find work” are justifiably cared for until work appears. One soon discovers what category applies to him.

11. W.R. on October 20th, 2009 10:37 am

    It is sad to say but with the cost of goods and services in the life style we live today, It really takes a lot of money just to survive. To cover the cost for a very modest home and the Electric and Gas the Water, Sewer and Garbage services A family of 3 needs to make an hourly wage of no less than $15.00 per hour with a 40 hour work week. This will gross about $2400.00 per month or $28,800.00 per year. Then Uncle Sam and other the taxers have to have their take. This is very meager for a man and his family to live off. True it should like a lot of money when you add it all up but trying to spread it over an entire year is rough. Another sad thing is that it now takes both Mother and Dad most working at the $8 to $10 per hour that Bob has already spoken about and then there goes the proper of family raising and care that a stay at home Mom can give.

12. Bob on October 20th, 2009 9:48 am

    The state is largely responsible for the unemployment rate being so high. Not too familiar with Florida as much as Alabama. On occasion when you are needing help, the first question is asked “How much do you pay”, A job offered at $8.00 $10.00 Interests not one person. They will also add “I will work if you’l pay me in cash..Don’t want to work and mess with my unemployment. Lots of jobs are out there but people have grown accustomed to being taken care of and would rather not work. I’m not against unemployment compensation, but use it for what it was intended to get you over the hump till things get better.