CNN is worried about the upcoming monthly jobs report and is already making excuses for Obama.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — As it drags on for a second week, the Chicago teachers strike is so large it could distort national economic statistics, including the Labor Department’s key monthly jobs report.
About 26,000 teachers and support staff are striking in Chicago,demanding higher pay, better job security and changes to a new evaluation system.
The strike’s timing is key, in that it coincides with the period in which the government collects data for the national jobs report.
Last month, that report showed theeconomy added only 96,000 jobs. The number was seen as weak, posing a challenge for President Obama as he faces re-election.
September’s report could look far worse if the strike continues.
Every month, the Labor Department surveys 141,000 employers throughout the country during the week that includes the 12th. While the Labor Department does not release the names of the companies, CNNMoney has confirmed independently that Chicago Public Schools — the third largest school district in the country — is included in the sample.
So if the Labor Dept. doesn’t disclose, how does CNN know?
Employers surveyed respond to simple questions. For example, how many employees were on their payroll during the current pay period? How many hours did they work? What wages did they earn?
In the case of Chicago Public Schools, teachers are paid on a biweekly schedule. The current pay period started September 9 and runs through this Saturday, September 22. The teachers that are striking are not receiving any pay from the school district during that time, unless they report back to work.
is Chicago Public Schools attempting to hire? Do they plan on mass layoffs? Are these parasitic teachers drawing unemployment as they demand higher pay and better benefits? Since when did not receiving pay designate someone as unemployed?
“Only [Chicago Teachers Union] members who we can confirm reported to work during the strike will be paid by CPS during that time frame,” said Marielle Sainvilus, a spokeswoman for the school district.
If the teachers don’t go back to work by the end of the week, they will be recorded as out of work for the entire pay period. That could subtract roughly 26,000 jobs from the national jobs report.
That shouldn’t hurt the 500,00o jobs per month Biden promised.
