US Job Cuts Edge Up in December - Report

[Career Prole]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. planned job cuts rose in December, making it the second worst month for layoffs last year, according to a report released Wednesday.

Employment consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. said employers announced 109,045 layoffs in December, up from 104,530 in November.

Still, for the year as whole job cuts decreased compared with 2003, and Challenger said there was reason to be optimistic in 2005.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050105/bs_nm/economy_layoffs_challenger_dc

Ah yes...reason to be optimistic about 2005. I wonder if it's the same reason they gave for being optimistic about 2004?

[Just Me]

1. Does anyone wonder whether an economic depression is being hidden?

Whether an economic depression HAS been hidden. I mean,...absent panic,...is our country "on the brink" or already "IN the brink"?

[Florida_Geek]

2. They cook the book so much in this Admin

it is hard to tell what is real and what is not

[Career Prole]

3. I'm thinking "on the brink" myself...and I think we've been placed

there intentionally.
Our dropping dollar is being used in an attempt to extort other labor-friendly countries to enact the same "pro-growth" (read "labor-screwing") measures which are killing us here...and I sure as hell don't trust the guys behind the wheel in this game of "global chicken".

[barb162]

4. In the brink without a doubt and it will be getting steadily worse

[barb162]

5. Challenger is being unreasonably optimistic. Fewer job cuts

doesn't mean there is hiring going on. There's hiring freezes all over the country save for a few things like RNs, pharmacists, etc.

[zbdent]

6. Merry Christmas! Here's your pink slip.

(emphasis on the RW push of "Merry Christmas")

[DavidDvorkin]

7. I can testify to that

The number of job cuts became 100% for me personally in December.

I found a really good job with a really good company during the Clinton years. Lost it during the Bush years. Found another and then lost that, too.

I hated the illegitimate bastard before. I really detest him now.

[Career Prole]

8. Sorry, Dave...

I hope things get better for you. :(

[DavidDvorkin]

9. Thanks, Career Prole

Me, too. :)

[Robert Oak]

10. note we don't see long term unemployment numbers

people who are no longer counted who don't have a job.

I believe it's still the highest since the great depression.

How long are people going to tolerate representatives who are bought
off by 2B, yes 2B in 2004 of lobby money?

How long are people going to be manipulated by public relations
(propaganda) techniques? Seemingly for a long time to come.