Thread: This Labor Day Weekend, Remember How Immigration Depresses Workers’ Wages

Posted By Peter N. Kirsanow On 3:15 PM 08/31/2015

Millions of Americans have little reason to celebrate this labor day weekend. Years after the economy supposedly recovered from the recession that began in 2007, we have yet to see the robust job creation that typically follows a recession.

The employment situation continues to be particularly grim for low-skilled workers, teenagers and African-Americans. The July 2015 unemployment rate for African-American men was 8.7 percent, and the labor force participation rate was only 67.4 percent. The unemployment rate for workers with less than a high school diploma was 8.2 percent, and their labor force participation rate was a mere 45.3 percent. The unemployment rate for 16-19 year olds is 14.4 percent, and they have a labor force participation rate of 44.1 percent.

Meanwhile, in the middle of an increasingly bitter public debate about illegal immigration, President Obama continues to refuse to enforce the immigration laws. The dim employment outlook for African-Americans, young people, and low-skilled workers may seem to be unconnected to illegal immigration, but the two issues are related. In 2008, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a briefing on the effect of illegal immigration on black unemployment. The briefing witnesses, well-regarded scholars from across the ideological spectrum, were unanimous: illegal immigration has a quantifiable negative effect on both the employment opportunities and wages of African-Americans. Similarly, over the past few years several economists have posited that high levels of low-skilled immigration – and illegal immigrants are predominantly low-skilled – contribute to low levels of teenage employment.

The reason illegal immigration has a disproportionate effect on the employment of African-American men, low-skilled workers, and young people is that all three groups are competing for the same jobs. Both illegal immigrants and African-American men are disproportionately likely to be poorly educated and therefore be in the low-skilled labor market. A 2012 Census Bureau report found that 50.9 percent of native-born blacks and 75.5 percent of foreign-born Hispanics had not continued their education beyond high school. Although the report did not disaggregate foreign-born Hispanics who are legal immigrants from those who are illegal immigrants, Professor Vernon Briggs estimated that illegal immigrants or former illegal immigrants who received amnesty constitute a third to over a half of the total foreign-born population.

This means that illegal immigrants and African-Americans compete against each other for the same jobs. Professor Gordon Hanson testified that between 1980 and 2000, low-skilled immigration (which is heavily comprised of illegal immigrants) “reduced the employment rate of low-skill black men by about 8 percentage points,” which “accounts for about 40 percent of the 18 percentage point decline in black employment rates” since 1960.

Similarly, teenagers are almost by definition less likely to have a high school diploma, and other young people without high school diplomas are considered low-skilled. In 2012, economist Christopher Smith estimated that “the fraction of teens employed in the previous week would have been about 6.5 (males) and 7.1 (females) percentage points higher in 2005 had immigration remained at its 1990 levels.” In 2014, a group of economists (of which Smith was one) cited Smith’s earlier work in their own discussion of declining youth labor force participation rates, noting that competition from low-skilled adult immigrants may contribute to the “crowding out” of 16-24 year old workers in lower-skilled fields. The economists stated that the declining labor force participation rate among 16-24 year olds is probably not entirely due to young people spending more time in school, as labor force participation has also declined among those who are not enrolled in school.

This bodes ill for the future of these young workers, particularly those who do not go on to college. Smith found that “a 10% reduction in average annual hours worked for 16 and 17 year olds is associated with a change in annual earnings ten years later of between -2.9% and 1% for males and -2.4% and 0.7% for females.” This makes sense – if someone does not go on to college, it is even more important that they get on the employment ladder at an early age.

The data are clear. Employment prospects for young people, low-skilled workers, and African-Americans continue to be dismal. When the unemployment rate in a population is over 8 percent, as it is for all three groups, you don’t have a shortage of labor – you have a surplus. It is clear that illegal immigration, and low-skilled immigration generally, has a devastating effect on the jobs and wages of low-skilled Americans, particularly low-skilled African-Americans and young Americans. Yet Big Business, Big Labor, the tech elites of Silicon Valley, politicians from both parties, and racial solidarity organizations continue to prioritize their narrow sectarian interests over the well-being of American citizens. This Labor Day weekend, I ask: Who will speak for the American worker?

Peter Kirsanow is a partner at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff, a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, and a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This article does not necessarily reflect the position of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/31/th...workers-wages/

to all of the illegal immigrants you want a job go to PA . the name of the company is TJX
it fill with mexico;s Our friend apply for a job at this company & theguy
said it fill with mexican . you will not get a job .Now get them all the hell
Thank you obama

Originally Posted by southBronx

to all of the illegal immigrants you want a job go to PA . the name of the company is TJX
it fill with mexico;s Our friend apply for a job at this company & theguy
said it fill with mexican . you will not get a job .Now get them all the hell
Thank you obama

TJX is hiring all Mexicans?! Unbelievable. BOYCOTT!!

TJX ia T J Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods etc. Southbronx, is this the company that you are talking about?

Career Opportunities: Distribution Center General Warehouse Associates (962)

Req Id 962 - Posted 08/18/2015 - Distribution Services - United States - Pennsylvania - Distribution Centers - TJ Maxx - FT - Rotating - Regular

Job Description Print Preview

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Talk about value...T.J. Maxx is where you'll find it. T.J. Maxx, together with Marshalls, forms the Marmaxx Group, the largest off-price retailer of apparel and home fashions in the U.S. T.J. Maxx offers brand name family apparel, giftware, home fashions, women’s shoes, and lingerie, and emphasizes accessories and fine jewelry, at prices 20% - 60% below department and specialty store regular prices! Plus as part of The TJX Companies, Inc., you'll be part of the largest off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the U.S. and worldwide. TJX is comprised of four major divisions – Marmaxx (T.J. Maxx and Marshalls) and HomeGoods in the United States; TJX Canada (Winners, HomeSense and Marshalls); and TJX Europe (T.K. Maxx and HomeSense). In late 2012, we acquired Sierra Trading Post, an off-price, Internet retailer of apparel and home fashions, bringing it into our family of businesses. With over $26 billion in revenues in 2012, more than 3,000 stores, and approximately 179,000 Associates, success is always in style at TJX.

We currently have the following position available:



Essential job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Manual material handling of objects such as totes, boxes, garments, or other items up to 10 pounds constantly, up to 50 pounds frequently and up to 60 pounds occasionally. Objects may be handled between heights as low as the floor and as high as the thigh, waist and shoulder constantly; and as high as above the head (96 inches) occasionally. Objects are handled to and from trucks, pallets, nestainers, trolleys, conveyors, boxes and totes.
Manual transportation of pallet jacks and trolleys requiring 30 pounds of force on an occasional to frequent basis; manual transportation of nestainers and conveyors requiring up to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis.
Count, select and sort objects such as totes, boxes, garments or other items by style, color, store order or other criteria.
Match receipts against purchase orders.
Tickets garments or other items with gum labels, Swiftach gun or pin tickets.
Pack or unpack garments or other items into or out of boxes. Seal boxes for shipping when packing completed.
Hang, remove or sort garments on hangers by style, store order or other criteria.
You will be required to stand or walk on a constant basis.

Successful candidates must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
Less than high school education; or up to one month related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ability to read a limited number of two- and three-syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge and ability to work with Scan System.

If you believe your skills meet the job requirements and qualifications to be successful, please visit the distribution center to complete an application.

TJ Maxx Distribution Center
4000 Oldfield Blvd
Pittston, Pa 18640
For directions, please call 570-603-5890.


In addition to our open atmosphere and supportive work environment, we are proud to offer an exemplary
benefits package that includes: Optional participation in medical, dental, life insurance, long term
disability, vision discount program and 401(k) profit sharing plan. The TJX Companies, Inc. also provides company paid benefits such as basic life insurance and short-term disability. We offer competitive paid time off benefits, an Associate discount and opportunity for leaves of absences. Benefit eligibility varies depending on hours worked and length
of employment.
T.J. Maxx is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.

https://career8.successfactors.com/career?
company=TJX&career_ns=job_listing&navBarLevel=JOB_ SEARCH&career_job_req_id=962&rcm_site_locale=en_US &jobPipeline=Indeed