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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2009
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6

Ex-Autoworkers Retool for Lower Paying Jobs

Industry vets remake themselves as truck drivers, nurses' aides

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(Newser) – Hundreds of thousands of ex-autoworkers left adrift by the industry's implosion are having to learn new skills and get used to lower pay, the Washington Post reports. Community colleges in the auto industry's heartland are jam-packed with midlife workers aiming to qualify quickly to become truck drivers, computer technicians or nursing aides. "I've been humbled quite a bit," says one 39-year-old autoworker-turned-nursing aide who's living in his mother's basement.   

"What we're seeing is the death of the conventional middle-class life and an increase in the population of working poor," says the president of one Detroit community college. Some in new careers are enjoying the feeling of job security, despite the withered pay packets. "Of course, 20 years ago, people thought the auto industry would always be solid," says the new nursing aide. "But, for now, I feel good about it."

Workers leave the Chrysler North Assembly Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio after a shift.
Workers leave the Chrysler North Assembly Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio after a shift.   (AP Photo/Madalyn Ruggiero)
Ford Motor Company employees attend a jobs fair at United Auto Workers Union Local 600 in Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford Motor Company employees attend a jobs fair at United Auto Workers Union Local 600 in Dearborn, Michigan.   (Getty Images)
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I came out of high school, and they said, 'We have a job for you that pays $17 an hour to start.' At 18, I made $40,000. My friends who went to college were jealous. But now what? - Former autoworker Clyde Kubiak, 33

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6 comments
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Reader64481089
Jul 4, 09 7:49 AM CDT
"What we're seeing is the death of the conventional middle-class life and an increase in the population of working poor,".........Just like GW wanted in the first place. The death of Middle America so as to increase cannon fodder for future conquests. F*ck you very much GW, with all my heart. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
NovThird2010
Jul 4, 09 9:05 AM CDT
Bush Derangement Syndrome, anyone? Take a good look at your buddies Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Chuck Schumer. GWB asked for more oversight of Fannie and Freddie but the dumbocrats refused...thus the housing loan crisis which created the mess we are in. Chairman Barry's solution? Make government so huge and pervasive that it will suck the life out of this country. Thus, when the dumbocrats are done, there will be three classes of citizens: the liberal elites who won't follow the rules they impose on everyone else, a huge entitlement class who will vote for the liberal elites, and the poor schmucks who will have to work and pay more than half of what they earn to fund this Obamanation! God help us.
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Jul 4, 09 10:47 AM CDT
Oh please Infidel, even Krauthammer didn't believe that bullshit about BDS. And do you really think spreading that disinformation is really going to get anyone to believe that it wasn't Bush's fault? Sorry, nobody is buying Republican bullshit anymore.
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+1
tameesha_sharpton
Jul 4, 09 8:47 AM CDT
overpaid for 40 years, the uaw is what killed the industry. would you like fries with that ? Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
NovThird2010
Jul 4, 09 9:07 AM CDT
Let's see...continue working in the factory at a job I like for a little less money, or be a block head and be forced to work as a nursing aide for probably minimum wage? Unions work wonders!
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