Labor Day time to reflect on economic successes

Nothing marks the end of summer like the traditional observance of Labor Day. While the temperatures gradually cool and the leaves change color a little each day, it's the last holiday of summer that lets us know that winter coats and snow shovels are in our very near future.

But the holiday, set aside as a tribute to the American worker, should be much more than a three-day weekend.

In essence, it should be a testament to the millions of Americans who, long before our grandparents were born, worked in the fields, mines and factories to help build the country we see today.

Growing up in southern Missouri, I recall a farmer who, when asked what he was doing for Labor Day, would always produce the same response. He would take off his cap, wipe his weary brow, and reply: "Around the farm, every day is labor day."

This would always produce a chuckle or two along with nods of agreement. But it is a perfect illustration of the pride and dedication Missourians place in their jobs, and how today, it has helped build the best economy in a quarter century.

In July, the Department of Economic Development, for the first time, released the monthly statistics on unemployment in the state of Missouri.

As part of the creation of the Division of Workforce Development within DED which combined the work force functions of the Division of Employment Security, from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and DED's Division of Job Development and Training DED has assumed the responsibility of compiling and reporting these statistics. And they tell quite a story.

First of all, Missouri posted the lowest June unemployment in 20 years this, in spite of the typical seasonal rise of summer job seekers. In fact, Missouri's unemployment rate is sixth-tenths of a percent lower than at the same time a year ago. Total job growth is more than 76,000 positions during that same time frame.

As expected, employment was down in the education sector as schools and colleges adjourned for the summer.

But this was more than offset by substantial gains in tourism-related businesses and the construction trades.

With a booming economy, low unemployment rates can be expected. Yet we believe that these unusually low jobless numbers tell a story that is more indicative of the skill and dedication of the Missouri work force, above and beyond the desire to merely have a job.

It shows that Missourians are willing to do what it takes to get the job done, even if it means performing duties that may be less than a perfect match with their education and background. This is evidenced by the fact that even in a tight labor market, Missouri businesses continue to maintain high productivity levels and continue to expand at a near-record pace.

In most counties, the list of unemployed individuals numbers just a few hundred which can easily be explained by workers in transition from one job to another, or those in the skilled trades who are between projects.

Many Missourians who had fallen on hard times and were receiving public assistance have taken advantage of the strong economy and have moved off of welfare and into jobs more than 120,000 Missourians have left the welfare rolls in the past five years.

And while the Missouri work force supplies quantity to the Missouri business community, it is supplying quality as well.

Over the past five years, Missouri has ranked 10 to 15 percent above the national average in terms of worker productivity, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Undoubtedly, this is a major contributing factor to the economic success we have enjoyed for most of the past decade.

But at the same time, we realize that low unemployment rates signal a changing economy, and will result in a change in the way we approach different situations. A tighter labor market means that work force development is becoming more of a business issue and less of a social issue. Practically everyone who wants a job can find one. But we are seeing more and more employers finding it harder to fill positions in their businesses.

We will continue to work hard to achieve that elusive goal of full employment the logical definition, not the one economists use. We want to work with the Missouri business community to assure a continued supply of high quality, dedicated employees who have earned Missouri a national reputation as a good place to do business.

Yes, "everyday is labor day." Since there has been a Missouri, we have stood up to that challenge.

(Joe Driskill is director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.)

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