The disposable work force

Drawing upon a case study of a plant closing in Wisconsin and the results of national labor force surveys showing the displacement of millions of workers each year, this book examines the consequences of the rise in economic instability. Among those consequences are a productivity slowdown, increased disparities in earnings and income, and higher average unemployment.

Moore assesses the extent of job loss nationwide, its costs to the individuals directly affected, and the way in which the incidence of displacement and earnings loss has shifted over the past decade, affecting groups long sheltered from labor market turbulence.

To reverse these trends, the book argues, we need an employment and training system that will give employers an incentive to invest in the skills of their employees. Federally funded training programs have not improved the earnings ability of displaced and disadvantaged workers, and state-sponsored programs tend to exclude those most in need of assistance. Moore suggests direct employer investment in the general skills of employees as a remedy to both failings.