Blue-collar worker

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A blue-collar worker is a member of the working class who performs manual labor and earns an hourly wage. Blue-collar workers are distinguished from service workers and from white-collar workers, whose jobs are not considered manual labor. However, some service workers are also often referred to as blue-collar workers. Traditionally, white-collar workers earn a monthly or annual salary rather than an hourly wage, although paying white-collar workers by the hour is an increasing practice, especially among independent tech contractors. Blue collar work may be skilled or unskilled, and may involve factory work, building and construction trades, law enforcement, mechanical work, maintenance or technical installations. The white-collar worker, by contrast, performs non-manual labor often in an office; and the service industry worker performs labor involving customer interaction, entertainment, retail and outside sales, and the like. Some service industry workers differ as they perform tasks that are mostly unskilled in the service sector. ^[1]

The term blue-collar occasionally carries a stereotype based on historical perspective. The blue-collar worker in the United States is an embodiment of the American mythos of a work ethic and the dignity of labor. ^[2] Some blue-collar jobs, such as those of janitors and assembly line workers, may carry negative stereotypes from perceptions that they represent minimal ability. Most involve levels of specialized skill that carry no stigma, and are contrarily a source of pride.

1 Origin of the term
2 Education requirements
3 Decrease in blue-collar jobs in the United States
4 References
5 See also

Origin of the term

The term blue-collar is derived from uniform dress codes of industrial workplaces. Industrial and manual workers wear durable clothing that can be soiled or scrapped at work. A popular element of such “work clothes” has been, and still is, a light or navy blue shirt. Blue is also a popular color for coveralls, and will usually carry a name tag of the company/establishment on one side, and the individual's name on the other. A more specific example would be Dickies brand clothes, which are often worn by blue collar workers who prefer durable clothing that is functional for hands-on jobs. It is not un-common to find a mechanic or construction worker dressed head-to-toe in Dickies work shirts and work pants, and often these items are bought by the company and laundered by the establishment as well. For footwear, the most common type worn by tradesmen and manual laborers are heavy duty steel-tipped work boots, although the style may vary from person to person, work boots that are slip resistant seem to be the norm.

The popularity of the color blue among persons who do manual labor is contrasted to the ubiquitous white dress shirt that, historically, has been standard attire in office environments. This obvious color-coding has been used to identify a difference in socio-economic class. This distinction is growing more blurred, however, with the increasing importance of skilled labor, and the growth of non-laboring, but low-paying, service sector jobs.

Blue-collar can also be used as an adjective to describe the environment of the blue-collar worker: e.g. a blue-collar neighborhood, job, restaurant, bar, etc., or a situation describing the use of manual effort and the strength required to do so.^[3]

Education requirements

Some distinctive elements of blue-collar work are the lesser requirements for formal academic education which is needed to succeed in other types of work, with many blue collar jobs requiring only a High School Diploma or GED. ^[4] Blue-collar work typically is hourly wage-labor. Usually, the pay for such occupation is lower than that of the white-collar worker, although higher than many entry-level service occupations. Sometimes the work conditions can be strenuous or hazardous.

Decrease in blue-collar jobs in the United States

Blue collar workers exist in varying proportions throughout the industrial world, though several locations, such as the United States state of Pennsylvania, particularly the city of Allentown contain a large number of blue-collar workers. Another Pennsylvania city, Pittsburgh, has evolved out of a blue-collar based economy that had previously centered around steel production. The last of the city's steel mills closed in 1998.

Pittsburgh's national blue-collar image is driven largely by media portrayal which is based on the prevailing 'hard working,' blue-collar mentality that the majority of Pittsburgh residents tend to value. Both cities have sometimes been highlighted in popular culture because of their blue-collar reputations and with the steady loss of these jobs are in financial distress. ^[5] But according to a 2005 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 23% of Pittsburgh's job base is made up of blue collar occupations.

With the movement of many Western nations towards service based economy, the Blue-collar workforce has steadily decreased in size. At the same time skilled Blue-collar workers, mainly trade jobs working in the building industry, have seen rapidly rising wages. Another main reason for the decrease in blue-collar jobs in the United States is due to the technological revolution.

References

^ Food Service Industry prefer to employ high school graduates. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
^ Blue Collar workers take pride in the jobs. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
^ Blue Collar can also describe the environment. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
^ Blue Collar work requires less formal education. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
^ High-paid executives struggle to stay in Pittsburgh after layoff. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.

Blue-collar worker

Contents

Origin of the term

Education requirements

Decrease in blue-collar jobs in the United States

References

See also