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Jun 10, 2008 7:27 pm US/Eastern
S. Fla. Job Loss Casualties Flock To Job Fair
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The head of the Federal Reserve says there might be a slight silver lining in the gloomy economy. He predicts things aren't getting worse. However, unemployment is up a percentage point since last year in South Florida.
Right now the unemployment rate in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area is at 4.5 percent, and that number is translating into serious job loss at some very prominent south Florida businesses.
DHL is shrinking again in South Florida. The company Tuesday announced a plan to reduce the workforce at its corporate office in Plantation by approximately 175 positions. That's on top of hundreds of jobs slashed months ago. "It's a cost cutting move," the company added,"in light of the current economic climate and market demands, and in line with the company's previously announced network restructuring plan."
DHL workers are the latest casualties of a Florida and national economy hammered by the housing and credit crises, and hemmed in by soaring energy costs.
The soon-to-be laid off will join a growing pool of South Floridians scrambling for work. At a Team Metro Job and Career fair Earnest Edmond is one of them. He hopes to land a job as a driver for FedEx.
Right now he drives for a land clearing company, but with construction in a huge slowdown that paycheck is disappearing.
"Sometimes I am not working more than 4 hours a day and supposed to be full time, but they can't help it if there is not enough work for me," said Edmond.
Potential employers here from health care to security companies see people lining up everywhere they go.
"The economy is tougher now, and the job industry is getting tougher and tougher," said Ximena Mendoza, a recruiter for a security company.
Trameka Merrell feels the pain firsthand. She works at a courthouse snack shop and can't make ends meet on that small salary alone.
"Everything is going up," said Merrell. "Gas is going up. FPL is going up. Food going up. I really need a job."
It's an all too familiar story for a growing number of South Floridians trying to find work that might help them ride out an economic downturn with no end in sight.
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