The State of Working Wisconsin 2004

[Viking12]

Here's some information on employment in WI that may be useful in your campaign efforts.

WISCONSIN JOBS AND ECONOMY STILL SUFFERING FROM RECESSION: UW STUDY CITES DECLINING JOB QUALITY, RISING INEQUALITY, RACIAL DISPARITIES

Wisconsin is still feeling the effects of the 2001 recession, according to The State of Working Wisconsin 2004, a major new report by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS). The report reveals a mixed picture for economic and labor-market conditions in Wisconsin.

The good news is that Wisconsin experienced broad job growth in the first half of 2004, including manufacturing. Wisconsin per capita income has also been rising faster than nationally, and Wisconsin median hourly earnings were above national levels in 2003.

The bad news is that overall employment is only at March 2001 levels (when the recession started), and manufacturing is well below that. By this point in recovery from the 1990 recession, Wisconsin had substantially more jobs than when that downturn began. Average job quality, as measured by wages and benefits, also appears to be declining. Median family income is falling. And inequality in the state is growing.

Among the report’s findings:
• Although employment is increasing in the state, jobs in Wisconsin’s growing industries pay, on average, $7,200 less per year than jobs in the state’s declining industries, and are much less likely to offer health benefits.

• While median hourly wages in Wisconsin have risen slightly since the mid-1990s, longer-term trends are less positive, and show growing inequality. Over the nearly quarter century running from 1979-2003, only white women have seen improvement, increasing their median hourly earnings 29 percent (from $9.73 to $12.56 in 2003 dollars). In contrast, wages of white men actually declined by four percent (from $16.65 to $15.94); black women’s wages dropped three percent (from $10.81 to $10.52); and wages of black men fell 23 percent (from $14.39 to $11.02). (more)
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• Over 2000-2002, median family income among four-person Wisconsin families dropped from $71,274 to $68,523. This remains above the national median, but only because of our exceptional rates of labor market participation, almost certain to drop in coming years as our aging population undergoes a wave of retirements.

• The only consistent winners in the economy have been college-educated workers. But growth in this share of the Wisconsin workforce is lagging behind the national trend. Over 1990-2003, the college-educated share of the state’s workforce grew from 22.8 to 24.4 percent. Nationally, it grew from 24.5 to 28.5 percent, or better than twice as fast. Earning gaps between college-educated workers and those with only high school degrees have also widened sharply in Wisconsin, as throughout the nation, over 1979-2003. Among men, the gap rose from 14 to 40 percent during that period; among women, it rose from 29 to 41 percent.

• Wisconsin produces shocking levels of inequality between black and white residents of the state. On a variety of measures – ranging from poverty to unemployment, graduation rates to incarceration rates – Wisconsin’s black/white differences are the worst, or among the worst, in the nation. “Wisconsin has had a long tradition of wage and income

http://www.cows.org/pdf/jobs/soww/pr-soww-04.pdf

[sybylla]

1. I absolutely love COWS

They are the greatest source of statistical and demographic information in Wisconsin. I've used their data for letters to the editor, in newsletters and for our Dem fair booth.

Thanks for posting this. :toast:

While you're at COWS, don't for get to check out ALICE, the High Road Service Center with sample legislation, talking points, resources and access to experts on "High Road" issues at http://www.highroadnow.org/

[Cheesehead]

2. Thanks to both of you for turning me on to these fine resources

I'll be checking them regularly for new ammunition!