The introduction of this chapter is about how many people work just to get by, even though they hate their jobs. Many people who hate their jobs are unhappy, and bring other people down with them, such as their friends and family. A big reason why people hated their jobs was because they knew they were too good for them, and they did not feel appriciated. Jobs that were considered to be bad were waitressing, truck driving, steel working, banking, etc. Jobs that were considered to be good were bookbinders, firemen, piano tuners, etc. These jobs were considered to be good because they had meaning and workers could benefit from those jobs. For example, a firmen saves lives, which is a huge accomplishment. People who obtain unfavorable jobs feel like they are failures, and they are not important because their work is not appreciated. "'I'm a machine,' says the spot-welder. 'I'm caged,' says the bankteller...'A monkey could do what I do,' says the receptionist. 'I'm less than a farm implement,' says the migrant woker." (302) This shows that these workers are unhappy because they have failed to find a job that is important to them, and it hurts them to know that they are dumbing themselves down to work these jobs.
Dolores Dante is an example of someone who enjoyed her job, unlike many other people working during her time era. She was a waitress for over twenty years because she needed money quickly, and it was the first job she could find that would allow her to work while taking care of her baby. Dolores had to take care of her baby alone because her husband left her. Although Dolores may not have been working a favorable job according to many people, she found joy working as a waitress because she loved interacting with people, even though she dealt with many disrespectful people. Dolores did not work so hard as a waitress because she wanted to make more money from customers, she did it because she believed in being a professional. Dolores was always optimistic, and she showed respect for people who worked in a professional matter like herself. "I tell everyone I'm a waitress and I'm proud. If a nurse gives me service, I say, 'You're a professional.' Whatever you do, be professional. I always compliment people." (334) Dolores praises people who serve others, and do their job right because many people who do not like their job show it by working in an unprofessional matter and by treating their customers with disrespect. Dolores Dante relates to Herbert Hoover because they both always stayed optimistic, and looked for the best in every situation. She also relates to President Barack Obama because he has continued to stay optimistic while working to get through the challenges being faces in America.
Phil Stallings is an example of someone who did not enjoy his job. Phil Stallings was a spot welder on the South Side of Chicago, and he did not like his job because he was not treated with respect, he was never appreciated, and the working condition was poor. Phil felt as if he was treated with disrespect because often he was not allowed to even go to the bathroom, and his work was never appreciated. The working condition of Phil's job was clearly very poor because he got a cut from a screw and ended up getting blood poisoning. Phil went to the medics at his work, but there were only a few nurses there who did hardly anything to help. In the past, the medics told Phil he was okay and that he should go back to work, only to find out from a real doctor that he was extremely sick and he could not work for two weeks. Nobody cared about the spot welders, all they cared about was their job getting done. Phil works in a very dangerous atmosphere where it is very easy to get hurt. Although Phil hates his job, he refuses to leave because he is paid well. "I know I could find better places to work. But where could I get the money I'm making? Let's face it, $4.32 and hour. That's real good money now." (358) Even though Phil has been through so much, and has become so miserable working as a spot welder, he decided not to quit only because he made more money than he would at a job that he loved. Phil Stalling's story relates to fostering efficiency during the Progressive Movement. Fostering efficiency was led by progressive leaders who put faith in experts and scientific principles to make societies and work placed more efficient. Phil Stallings would have greatly benefited from the Progressive Movement because his working conditions would have improved. Phil's story also relates to the workers rights that everyone must receive today. Everyone today must be granted with good working conditions, unlike the conditions that Phil Stallings worked in.
