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Springfield has lost 6,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, study finds
Comment: Have you been affected by job loss?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield metropolitan area ranks first among the state's communities that have experienced job losses in the past seven years, losing 10 percent of overall jobs and 46.9 percent (or 6,000) of its manufacturing jobs.
"Springfield is a microcosm of what's going on in the rest of the country," said Lloyd Wood, director of membership and media outreach for the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based organization whose mission is to preserve and create manufacturing job in the United States.
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"People are still buying the types of products made in Springfield, they're just not buying them from Springfield," Wood said.
Ohio lost 3.7 percent of its total jobs and 23.3 percent of its manufacturing jobs over the same period, according to a report released Wednesday, Feb. 20, by AMTCA.
The U.S. lost a record 19.8 percent of its manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2007.
Since the end of 2000, the majority of the 209,400 jobs lost were in the manufacturing and information sectors. The decline represents the largest drop since 1939, the first year records were kept.
Other sectors including construction, wholesale and retail experienced losses. Growth was realized in the private health services, food services and state and local governmental sectors.
Job losses are always a concern, but Ohio's new jobs present another problem. New jobs are "almost entirely in less productive/lower paying industries ... that can not create export earnings to offset the cost of imported oil, autos, computers, clothing, etc.," according to the report.
State Rep. Ross McGregor, R-Springfield, was not familiar with the report but spoke about Ohio's manufacturing community over the past decade.
"We can't ignore the fact that there's global competition," he said, "and many auto manufacturers have gone overseas for parts" previously purchased from Springfield businesses.
Technology plays a role, too, he said, because manufacturing output has increased even though fewer people are working in the industry.
One component of future economic success is a diversified employment base that includes high-tech manufacturing.
"Manufacturing in some form will always be a central component of Springfield's economy," McGregor said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.
Comments
By P J Bronson
February 22, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
As a former resident of Springfield, Ohio and working in the employment field there is a more serious issue in Springfield. If there were manufacturing jobs available, there are “major” issues with a large majoriy of Springfield area residents “not being able to pass background and drug screens” that would allow them to work at a manufacturing job if they were available. Until you have worked in this arena and witnessed it for yourself,you would absolutely not believe how great of problem!!!
By reader
February 22, 2008 3:13 AM | Link to this
Another aspect of job losses: everything you can buy at Walmart, Target etc. comes from China or other “cheap” countries.
Consumers want to buy cheap products and this is the result (job losses). Don’t blame the union or a certain political party, when YOU make that decision by yourself in your daily shopping.
By DelMonte Slim
February 21, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
It’s sad, but the United Staes is fast on its way to becoming a third world nation. Our leaders, both in government and business have sold out America for the sake of personal gain. What they don’t realize is that they have set on a course that is sure to destroy that very personal gain that they seek.
By Brian T. Brim
February 21, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
The people that don”t know anything about unions are always the first to say unions are the reason, how about these greedy Ceo’s and top management people taking the money and running over seas. These companies are not leaving because their not making money,their leaving because of corporate greed
By jim
February 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Quit blaming the unions and put the blame where it belongs. We keep sending republicans, with no answers back to Columbus year after year. Just where are these high tech manufacturing jobs? Its time for change in Columbus too!!
By gizzermosmom
February 21, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
The answer to the question - unfortun-ately is yes. After working for Cooper Energies for 27+ years my husband and many of his colleagues found themselves out of a job. In the 60’s-70’s you went to work for a company-worked for 30 years & retired on the benefits you had earned through your years of employment. But companies no longer have any loyalty to their employees (union or non-union) & relying on retirement benefits to support you in your old age is no longer an option.
By Clark County resident
February 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I agree with TexasBuckeye about saving your money. With most companies doing away with pensions upon retirement, people will need to save their money if they want to retire at all.
By Kenneth Browning
February 21, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
all about making lots of money,(greed) we can not complet with other countries that have benefits at all and $1.25 an hour, no car to drive , nothing like we got here in the US, blame the people that been running the country for the last 4oty yrs
By TexasBuckeye
February 21, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
As posted earlier, NAFTA and CAFTA are helping job losses. Unions are not helping by their demands on wages and benefits. The US has become more service oriented & has moved away from a manufacturing base. Lower paying jobs are here to stay as we can not compete in a global market with our high wages. Our standard of living will be lower in the coming years. In order to survive, companies will no longer offer benefits of any kind to stay competitive. Save your money, your gonna need it.
By Dennis Kelly
February 21, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Manufacturing jobs are being lost in CHINA, INDIA, everywhere! This is due to automation, new technologies and productivity enhancements. You will note the loss of manufacturing jobs nationwide was 18%, in Ohio, just a bit worse at 23%. Springfield’s situation revolved around Navistar - any small town that has a similar loss would have similar statistics. The Midwest, with it’s old base of primarily manufacturing jobs, has taken the biggest hits. A sad situation for everyone in Clark County
By Clark County resident
February 21, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
People need to get smarter about career opportunities that are available to them. Instead of reacting to job losses, planning for further education after high school in needed areas is necessary. Quit blaming unions for job losses. I have had jobs in Springfield for the past sixteen years. None of them are in the manufacturing industry.
By Buck I n Texs
February 21, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
In case the two of you have forgotten, let’s give you a quick history lesson. Labor Unions were the reason that no one is working 80 hours a week and making only 50 cents an hour. NAFTA and CAFTA ar two of the reasons for job losses. Not to mention that thanks toBill and George, tax-payers are now being forced to help these companies to re-locate to other countries.
By Melissa
February 21, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Now I read that whole article and nowhere did I read that the Union had anything to do with the job loses. I have been laid off from several different companies and they were not all union. How do you spell Republican?
By Aaron
February 21, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
When will people realize that a Union is not a good thing… Unions just cost more people jobs than save them. Protecting bad employees and whining that they should be given everything. Spend a day in the ‘real’ world and see that you have to work to earn benefits!
By Tom
February 21, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Lost 2000 jobs? How do you spell UAW?