THE AEROSPACE CRISIS : Bearing the Brunt

The job categories hardest hit by the drastic downturn in Los Angeles County’s aerospace industry are filled in large measure by women, members of minority groups and people in their prime family raising years.

1991 Job Losses

Percent Percent Percent Percent 22-30 31-44 over 45 Title Total female years old years old years old General secretary 4,579 97% 47% 30% 23% Accounting clerk 4,408 69% 28% 50% 21% Stock clerk 3,193 18% 28% 61% 10% Machinist 2,377 3% 18% 57% 25% Gen. office clerk 1,994 8% 30% 48% 21% Industrywide job losses 31,532 39% 28% 49% 23%

Percent Title minority General secretary 28% Accounting clerk 58% Stock clerk 76% Machinist 60% Gen. office clerk 50% Industrywide job losses 53%

Source: California Employment Development Dept.

Profile of the Defense Worker

“The typical defense worker is a 38-year-old male homeowner who has been a long-term resident of the community, who probably has a college degree and is married to a spouse who also works, who commutes 13 miles to a job as a skilled production worker, professional specialist, or manager and earns 10% to 20% more than counterparts in the same occupation in other industries.”

--report prepared for the Los Angeles County Aerospace Task Force