Editorial: We work together

Employers, employees and educators must work together if we’re to achieve economic recovery.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 9.1 percent a year ago. The good news is that the rate was 8.3 percent as of July 1, 2012 — essentially unchanged from June but a 0.8 percentage point lower than in July 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our region is doing better than much of the nation as we approach Labor Day. Minnesota’s seasonally adjusted rate is running about 5.8 percent while in Wisconsin the rate is 7.3 percent.

North Dakota leads the nation at 3 percent, but South Dakota is close behind with 4.4 percent unemployment. Iowa is at 5.3 percent.

Labor Day reminds us that it takes good jobs and good workers with good skills to make our economy work.

Capital Safety, Hydratight, Thomas & Betts, Red Wing Shoe Co., S.B. Foot Tanning Co. and more need dedicated workers to stay competitive in a global market. Workers need secure jobs so they feel confident enough to spend money. Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical helps those workers learn and maintain the skills necessary to manufacture the quality goods that keep our companies going.

We can’t have one without the other two. That’s food for thought on Labor Day.

Tags: opinion, editorials