Labor Day 2010: A glimpse at some of Middle Georgia’s workers

Today, as you relax on the sofa or flip burgers on the grill, don’t forget to tip your hat to the men and women who keep America’s engine humming.

More than 154 million of them.

They are the carpenters, the nurses, the welders. The teachers, the preachers, the plumbers.

They’re the big-business CEOs. The assembly-line workers. And the faithful secretaries who keep everything clicking along like clockwork.

They’re the farmers and police officers. The people who pick up your trash and take your money in the fast-food lines.

They’re America’s workers — the strong-muscled, strong-minded people who represent the country’s productive spirit.

The first Labor Day was observed 128 years ago. But in 2010, the American worker is in dire economic straits.

National unemployment figures just released stand at 9.6 percent. In the Macon metropolitan area, July’s unemployment figures — the latest available — stood at 10.2 percent, while that number was 7.6 percent in Warner Robins.

The U.S. economy shed 54,000 net jobs in August, as 114,000 temporary Census workers were cut from the government’s payroll.

But there are some bright spots in the latest national report: The sectors of health care, construction and temporary help all saw job growth last month.

Joanna James, a master cosmetologist at the Cost Cutters shop on Tom Hill Sr. Boulevard in Macon, said she considers herself fortunate to have been employed during the economic upheaval of the past two years, when so many people have lost jobs, savings and more.

“I am blessed to have what I have,” she said. “It’s by the grace of God and support of my friends and family that I’m able to do what I do.”

On this Labor Day, the American worker may be down but is not out. Here is a snapshot of some of Middle Georgia’s workers we stop to salute today.

Penny Davis

Age: 50

Occupation: PE teacher at Banks Stephens Middle School in Monroe County; cheerleading coach at Mary Persons High School

City of residence: Forsyth

How long in your current job? 29 years

What do you like most about your job? “Being able to interact with the kids and teach them things that I think they can use the rest of their lives. Our passion is sports and fitness, ... and with the state of our nation and the obesity issue we have, it should be one of the top priorities. ... The biggest thing is helping them find (an activity) they like.”

Randy Rozier

Age: 57

Occupation: manager, J.E. Beck & Son hardware store

City of residence: Jeffersonville

How long in your current job? Four years (worked there previously for about 20 years)

What do you like most about your job? “I like working in a hardware store and dealing with all the local people. Twiggs County’s got a nice group of people, and I enjoy helping them find what they need and making sure they get what they need before they leave the store.”

Joanna James

Age: 36

Occupation: master cosmetologist, Cost Cutters

City: Macon

How long in your current job? 14 years

What do you like most about your job? “The people and customers I work with — the good spiritedness they have.”

Larry Young

Age: 52

Occupation: service worker, Macon Parks and Recreation Department

City of residence: Jonesboro

How long in your current job? 27 years

What do you like most about your job?: “The city is now caring about its employees. They are changing stuff around (in the department), which is showing who is working and who isn’t.”

Senior Airman Kyle J. Hartry

Age: 22

Occupation Cyber transport journeyman assigned to the 52nd Combat Communications Squadron, 5th Combat Communication Group, 689 Combat Communication Wing City of residence: Warner Robins (hometown is Springfield, Ill.)

How long in your current job? Three years

What do you like most about your job? “Deploying and providing Internet and communications to our deployed warriors so that they can reach back to family and friends. It is a huge morale booster.”

Amanda Liggins

Age: 24

Occupation: Salesperson, Waffle House

City of residence: Warner Robins

How long in your current job? Nine months

What do you like most about your job? “The different people you interact with is about the most enjoyable part of this job.”

Shannon Kersey

Age: 30

Occupation: Mechanic and owner of Auto Save, 1820 Watson Blvd., Warner Robins

City of residence: Byron

How long in your current job? Three years

What do you like most about your job? “Dealing with the public. It’s something different every day. I like talking to the public and getting to meet different kinds of people.”

Debra Masa

Age: 46

Occupation: Bus driver for Houston County school system

City of residence: Warner Robins

How long in your current job? Six years

What do you like most about your job? “The people I work with. Truthfully, we’re like a big family. We’re multicultural people. We work well together. We help out each other and celebrate each other. We’re all on the same page, which is mainly the safety of the kids.

Laura Sanders

Age: 25

Occupation: Southwest High School literature teacher

City of residence: Macon

How long in your current job? Two years

What do you like most about your job? “That moment when students light up and understand a concept and can create something of their own based on that concept, that marvel, interest and connection.”

Femina Patel

Age: 30

Occupation: Sandwich maker and manager at Capello’s New York Subs

City of residence: Macon

How long in your current job? Eight years

What do you like most about your job? “I love my job. I don’t have to work for anyone else. My customers, they’re great. They make it feel like home.”

Sgt. Sarita Thomas

Age: 45

Occupation: Macon police officer assigned to the Youth and Intervention division

City of residence: Macon

How long in your current job? 22 years

What do you like most about your job?: “(I like) being able to be in a position to serve others. That’s what’s fulfilling for me.”

Compiled from staff reports