The unedited transcript of Phalana Tiller's interviews with Henry Farber and Laphonza Butler for the September 2012 episode of Drucker on the Dial entitled "Labor Pains." First, Henry Farber, professor of economics at Princeton University, says that the structure of jobs in the economy has become one with a lot more mobility, and a lot less emphasis on long term employment. He says that long term attachment, with particular jobs, has declined in the last 10 years for both men and women. Farber explains that loyalty is a two way street, and that firms see less value in having long term employment than they used to. He discusses globalization, and says that people make money in capital markets by moving it around as quickly as possible. Farber talks about unions, and says that unions in the tradable goods sector are in a tough position. He says that people worry about the long run consequences of not being a producing nation of goods, but questions why it has to be goods, and not something like services. He goes on to say that he would like to be remembered for being a good father and for his research. Next, Laphonza Butler, the president of the SEIU's (Service Employees International Union) United Long Term Care Workers' Union, discusses the importance and relevance of the labor movement, and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the United States. Butler says that a national poll conducted by the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) every year on Labor Day, finds that 70% of respondents say that they would join a union if they did not face fear or intimidation. She talks about the changing perceptions of labor unions, and how the public perceives labor unions. Butler discusses the importance of staying connected to core issues, and speaking to issues that make communities and jobs better. She goes on to say that she would like to be remembered for making a difference.
Interviews Farber, Henry D Butler, Laphonza Labor unions Labor mobility Occupational mobility Globalization Service Employees International Union Labor unions - Organizing Labor movement Manufacturing industries Service industries American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
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