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Laid-Off Workers Take Over Factory; Job Seeker Wears Sandwich Board; Shinseki To be Nominated Veterans Secretary; Sunny Von Bulow Dies
Aired December 06, 2008 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Drastic measures. Laid off workers hold off inside the business that fired them, refusing to leave until the company pays up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The company told us this morning, we have no insurance since yesterday. So I was going to take my kids to get his shots tomorrow, can't do it, because I got no insurance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: We talked to him live this hour.
Watching and waiting. Congress and the White House burning the midnight oil. At any moment now, they could come up with a plan to help save the failing auto industry. We're following every movement.
And back in charge. The man who warned Congress five years ago about troop levels in Iraq could soon be in charge of those who return.
Also, where have all the jobs gone? Who's hiring in this economy, and where? Tonight, we're answering your questions and taking your comments live.
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: Live in the CNN NEWSROOM, Don Lemon.
LEMON: Good evening, everyone. Chicago just isn't the place where the Midwestern White House is these days. It is the center of unrest for hard-working men and women who suddenly found themselves out of a job and have taken matters into their own hands. At this hour, about 200 factory workers let go from Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors are staging a sit-in at the factory.
Jade Miller of CNN affiliate CLTV begins our coverage with workers refusing to leave until they get what they want.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JADE MILLER, CLTV CORRESPONDENT: In the freezing cold, hundreds of workers, their families, and even strangers, outraged over the raw deal they say employees of Republic Windows & Doors were given, stood on the steps of the plant in Solidarity, calling for justice.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What do we want?
PROTESTORS: Justice!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When do we want it?
PROTESTORS: Now!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right.
MILLER: Workers were told Tuesday that the plant was closing its doors Friday, because the company's lender, Bank of America, had canceled the company's line of credit. And then yesterday, they were told that the bank would not release funds for severance or vacation pay, and the kicker, their medical benefits had already expired.
VICENTE RANGEL, LAID-OFF WORKER: The company told us this morning, we have no insurance since yesterday. So I was going to take my kids to get his shots tomorrow, can't do it, because I got no insurance.
MILLER: Under the federal WARN Act, workers are to be notified 60 days prior to any layoffs or closings, or be paid for 60 days in lieu of a notice. These workers got neither. Last night employees rallied together, getting the attention of Congressman Luis Gutierrez who is now calling on the U.S. Department of Labor to investigate.
REP. LUIS GUTIERREZ (D), ILLINOIS: All the company had to do was 60 days ago, call the workers together and have an orderly, right, transparent closing of the plant. That's what the WARN Act says. Didn't say anything other than that. Had they done that, we would not be here right now.
MILLER: Workers plan to occupy the building as long as they have to, making sure that none of the companies' assets are hauled away. Assets they say belong to them as well.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Three day's notice, penniless on the streets. That's just not acceptable. And we can't live in a country that allows that. So workers are demanding justice now. We're not going to let the Bank of America off the hook. We're not going to let Republic Windows & Doors off the hook, and we're going to fight this to the very end.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Vicente Rangel has work to Republic Windows & Doors for 15 years now.
Vicente, you all have been in there for about two days. Have you accomplished anything, you feel, by doing this?
RANGEL: Yes, I do. I think we have inspired many people throughout the country that this is the time that we need to stand for our jobs, and make sure that our rights are respected. We've been having a lot of support from different organizations, and they are helping us in various ways. So at this point, yes, recently, we had news that on Monday, it seems to be that we might get something resolved.
LEMON: You may get something resolved. Are you willing to compromise? You may not get all of your severance and all of your vacation pay. Are you willing to compromise at this point?
RANGEL: Well, I can't comment on that, because that will be ultimately the decision of all my co-workers. It's not just my decision. This is something that all of us are fighting for. So it's a decision that we had to make together.
LEMON: And we understand that you had the full backing of the union. We spoke to a union representative earlier tonight on CNN, Lea Fried. And she said, you know what, we completely support what they're doing and that it is peaceful. So in all of this, again, as I said, you have two days so far, and all of this, do you feel that it is worth it with your families and putting them through it at this time of the year?
RANGEL: I'm sorry, I couldn't hear the question?
LEMON: I said, do you feel that it's worth it, for you, with your family, and the possibility of you just sitting there overnight and the possibility of maybe something could happen, that it could get out of control? Is it worth it?
RANGEL: It is worth it. Because right now, we have nothing. So our hope is that we at least should get our vacations pay, what we have earn by law.
LEMON: You said you have no insurance. Your wife was laid off as well.
RANGEL: Correct. My wife and myself work in the same plant. So now we don't have insurance. And that's a very tough situation for us. You know, our son is only a year and a half.
LEMON: Have you heard anything from the company yet?
RANGEL: Not yet. The only thing that we got so far is that there is a meeting for Monday at 4:00.
LEMON: OK. Vicente Rangel, we appreciate it. And we also hear that you have to go back tonight because you are -- you're a supervisor there and work the midnight shift?
RANGEL: Correct. After the interview, I'm going back to the plant. That's my shift that I have currently to stay with my co- workers.
LEMON: OK. We wish you the best of luck. Thank you very much for that.
RANGEL: Thank you.
LEMON: And I asked Mr. Rangel if he had heard from the company. We have tried to contact the company. Company officials, including the CFO, Barry Dubin, and so far we have gotten no response from them.
Now to the struggling auto industry. Hoping for some financial life support. Now it looks like the big three are going to get some help from Washington. Here's what sources tell CNN. They say the White House and congressional negotiators are working late tonight on a deal that would provide loans worth about $15 billion. That is enough to keep the automakers afloat through March. Congress could vote on the plan as soon as next week.
Now, it was yesterday that dismal jobs report that jolted lawmakers into action. Unemployment has climbed to 6.7 percent. And more than half a million jobs disappeared in November. One reason Washington hasn't moved quickly to help automakers, most of you don't think Congress should give any money to the big three.
A CNN Opinion Research Poll taken after the first round of hearings on Capitol Hill finds that more than 60 percent of Americans oppose the idea. Only 36 percent say they are in favor of government help.
And a lot of people out there are looking for their own financial rescue. One unemployed man is taking his plea for a job to the streets of New York. CNN's Richard Roth caught up with him.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RICHARD ROTH, CNN SENIOR UN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He looks like a typical commuter, wearing a suit and tie in the crowds of workers pouring into Manhattan. Paul Nawrocki doesn't have to go far to get to his office. It's right on the corner. His job these days is to look for a job. And he's making sure people know he is available by wearing this large advertising board.
PAUL NAWROCKI, LOOKING FOR WORK: What I was doing wasn't working. When you're doing something and it doesn't work, you have to do something different.
ROTH: Nawrocki worked in the toy industry in operations for 36 years. He was laid off in February, shortly before his company went bankrupt.
NAWROCKI: My daughter said to me, she said, you know, you should take some resumes and hand them out on the street.
ROTH: Paul's unemployment insurance will soon run out. His wife is partially disabled and his daughter has student loans.
(on camera): How humiliating is it for you right now walking on the streets of Manhattan with a sign like this?
NAWROCKI: When you're out of work and you face having nothing, I mean, having no income, there's -- pride doesn't mean anything. You need to find work. I have to take care of my family.
ROTH (voice-over): Nawrocki stands in the cold for hours. New Yorkers used to the homeless and sidewalk pitchmen, look, but don't often stop. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel sorry for him. I wish I could help him.
ROTH: A passer-by offers a suggestion to try down the street at the United Nations. And he becomes a photo-op for international media. At Paul's favorite corners, some competition from charity groups and then from a young man searching for a girl he likes, whose phone number his roommate threw away. There was one hopeful moment.
STEVE WARREN, EXECUTIVE RECRUITER: I'm a head of an executive search firm in New York. So I will give them your resume.
ROTH: Nawrocki takes a break in a nearby park to check e-mails.
NAWROCKI: Nothing so far. A lot of junk mail.
ROTH: It's a sign of the times. Richard Roth, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: You know what, we found this story so interesting, that we wanted to hear more from Paul, and you will as well. And you'll hear from two other people facing the reality of unemployment right now.
It is a special report in our next half hour, we're calling it "Faces of the Recession." We're also going to try to help you out and give you some practical information about who's hiring and where. Hopefully that can help you.
Make sure you Logon to Twitter, to Facebook, to MySpace or ireport.com and tell us what you're thinking. We'll get your responses on the air tonight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. We're watching the Capitol tonight, because they are working on a plan to help those automakers, and we're also watching something in Louisiana that could change Washington as well. He is under indictment and he is running for re-election. We're talking about Louisiana Congressman William Jefferson. He has pleaded not guilty to bribery and other charges, and he was favored to win re- election to Congress today.
Our Sean Callebs joins us now. Sean, I'm hearing there's some new information that you're getting on this race. It's being called, I'm told by the Associated Press, have you heard that?
VOICE OF SEAN CALLEBS, CNN GENERAL ASSIGNMENT CORRESPONDENT: I've heard that the Associated Press is calling it. A great number of the precincts had been close to 60 some percent have already been tallied this evening. And Jefferson is running against Joseph Cao. And Cao would become the first Vietnamese-American to be elected to Congress.
And people looking at the calendar, maybe wondering why is there an election going on in the first weekend in December? Well, remember Hurricane Gustav. It actually washed out the primaries. So everything slid a little bit. And certainly, Jefferson's camp believes that hurt his chances for re-election. If you look at just the tremendous turnout for Barack Obama, of course Jefferson a Democrat and Cao a Republican.
LEMON: And Sean, let's sort of -- I thought you were going to report it here, but according to the Associated Press, the Associated Press is calling this for Cao, and they are saying that 79 percent of the precincts are in. And they're saying Joseph Cao, GOP elected to the U.S. House District in Louisiana. One other right says Louisiana voters oust indicted Republican -- or representative, I should say, excuse me, William Jefferson, and send little-known Republican to Congress. Go ahead, Sean, continue on here.
CALLEBS: Well, it's interesting. If you look at this district, it is overwhelmingly African-American. It is overwhelmingly Democratic. So just looking at the make up, you may think that Jefferson would have an easy chance. But clearly, a lot of people are simply tired of the allegations that have dogged Jefferson for close to 3-1/2 years. And he hasn't even gone to trial yet.
For his part, Cao, you're looking at right now, is an immigration attorney. He actually came to the United States just before the fall of Saigon, with an older sister and younger brother. However, he wasn't reunited with his family, his mother and father, until 1991. His father was in the South Vietnamese Army and had to stay in a, quote, "re-education camp" for a number of years before he was able to come here. So, really, pretty amazing story here unfolding here at New Orleans area.
LEMON: Yes. Our Sean Callebs on top of the story for us. Sean, thank you very much. And again, if you're just tuning in to CNN, down in Louisiana, Joseph Cao, according to the Associated Press, has been elected to the U.S. House, District 2 in Louisiana.
It's interesting that Sean mentioned the turnout there, because the same thing happened here in Georgia. During the general election back in November, Democrats received big force, and had lots of push when it came to Barack Obama. People turned out for him. But then in these subsequential runoffs, that hasn't happened. So it looks like Joseph Cao, a little known Republican from Louisiana will be going to Congress ousting William Jefferson, who had been indicted, but pleaded not guilty.
Let's talk about President-elect Barack Obama now. He said his administration will create or save a ton of jobs. And he explains how they're going to do it in this video posted on change.gov.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: We will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s. We'll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and we'll set a simple rule, use it or lose it. If a state doesn't act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they'll lose the money.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Barack Obama's own job is safe for the next four years. He also has a lot of hiring to do. CNN has learned of one important new choice. Retired Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki. He will be nominated to head the Department Veterans Affairs. Before he retired, Shinseki raised some eyebrows in 2003 when he offered his opinion ahead of the Iraq invasion. He was asked how many troops might be needed to keep the country stable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEN. ERIC SHINSEKI, U.S. ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF: I would say that, what's been mobilized to this point, something on the order of several hundred thousand soldiers are probably, you know, a figure that would be required.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: The formal announcement is expected tomorrow. The anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. Tonight, I spoke with CNN senior political correspondent Candy Crowley about why Obama would pick Shinseki to head the V.A.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: You are now talking about a president-elect who opposed the war from the beginning. I think that there is some room in there to see that this really was a choice that was perhaps influenced by Shinseki's honesty when he was in front of the Senate Committee. There are differing stories that were given as to why he retired shortly thereafter. But nonetheless, Shinseki's comeback, if you will, seems in some ways a sort of natural fit for president-elect who has opposed this war.
LEMON: All right. You say a natural fit. But is this in some way like, you know what, in your face?
CROWLEY: It's an interesting choice. I mean, yes, I think that there is a -- I mean, here's a man who clearly was not a particular favorite of many in the Bush administration. Who said, look, he's wildly off the mark. Shinseki's wrong. That kind of thing. So you've taken a man who was at that point right before the Iraq war, somewhat controversial within the Bush administration. And now he's in charge of the VA.
But we should also say, this is a man who is well-qualified beyond that, to be their -- he's a decorated war hero. He hails, as you know, from Hawaii, where Obama is from. So he has a lot, a lot of experience, and certainly we know that he understands veterans' problems.
LEMON: He is inheriting a Veterans Affair system, though, that some say is in shambles. I mean, we know the problems with Walter Reed and so on, Candy. CROWLEY: Absolutely. But here, again, I think what he has going into it is a friendly environment. We have heard Barack Obama repeatedly say, we, you know, are going to treat these troops that are coming home and others who were out there, with the respect that they deserve.
He has called for more money into the VA. So he does have a boss at this point that appears to be on his side. But it's like any bureaucracy, it's going to take time, because it's not just the money, it's also the way it works.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Our senior political correspondent Candy Crowley. The nomination is expected to be announced tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. CNN plans to carry it live for you.
Sunny von Bulow, the New York socialite in a coma for decades. Well, she dies. We'll take a closer look at her husband's so-called trial of the century.
Also this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If the industry was just to go under, my husband would lose his job, most of my siblings would lose their jobs.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: There could be more than 20 people in one family out of a job if the auto industry fails. We're looking into "The Faces of Recession" tonight.
But first, if you were looking to start over, you might want to consider North Dakota, where home values and car sales continue to grow, and the unemployment rate is more than three points lower than the national average.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We have to report to you about a death tonight. Martha Sunny von Bulow, she died today. And you may be surprised to know that she was still alive. Many people thought that she had died already. Once a wealthy, beautiful socialite -- young socialite, Von Bulow spent the last 28 years of her life in a coma from which she never awoke. Her death is just a sad footnote to a sordid tale that scandalized high society and electrified the country. Here's CNN's Susan Candiotti.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): She was an American blonde beauty of great wealth and high society, when Martha Sunny von Bulow fell into a coma in December 1980. Her husband was accused of trying to kill her. Resulting in not one, but two of the most sensational trials of that decade.
DOMINICK DUNNE, WRITER: It was because the people were so rich.
CANDIOTTI: That simple?
DUNNE: I think it's that simple.
CANDIOTTI: Crime writer Dominick Dunne knew Von Bulow and her children, and has written extensively about the case.
DUNNE: What they're going to remember is the coma because nobody really knows what happened, still.
CANDIOTTI: Dunne made no secret that he sided with prosecutors.
STEPHEN FAMIGLIETTI, PROSECUTOR: The key to this case is the black bag and its contents.
CANDIOTTI: Sunny's husband, Claus Von Bulow, was initially tried and convicted of twice trying to kill his wife with injections of insulin from a medicine bag.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The jury finds that the defendant Claus Von Bulow guilty.
CANDIOTTI: Sunny Von Bulow remained hospitalized in a coma, and Von Bulow remained free on a $1 million bail. Then famed Harvard law professor Allen Dershowitz won him a new trial. And the second time, Von Bulow was acquitted. He met with jurors.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thank them for the time and patience they showed.
CANDIOTTI: Hollywood made a movie about the case based on a book by Dershowitz called "Reversal of Fortune."
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I never woke from this coma and I never will.
CANDIOTTI: After learning of Von Bulow's death at a New York nursing home, Dershowitz told CNN, "We proved overwhelmingly that there was no crime and that the coma was self-induced. We saved his life but could not save hers."
Von Bulow lives in London. Dunne saw him recently and got the cold shoulder.
DUNNE: He is very hearty. He sort of stairs me down., the society stair. And then dismisses me like this.
CANDIOTTI: Dunne says Sunny Von Bulow was often visited by her children and grandchildren.
DUNNE: What we are going to remember about Sunny is the tragedy that her life turned out to be.
CANDIOTTI: Sunny Von Bulow was 76 years old. Susan Candiotti, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: We turn now to the weather in this country. And some of it is just downright frightful, especially around the Great Lakes. Our Karen Maginnis joins us now with the very latest on that.
Karen, what's going on?
(WEATHER REPORT)
LEMON: All right. On guard. Thank you very much for that, Karen Maginnis.
We're calling our next half hour, "Faces of the Recession." And we're taking your comments about jobs and whatever you want to talk about as it relates to the economy. Logon to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or ireport.com. Tell us what you're thinking. We will get your -- some of the answer to your questions and your responses on the air.
And she went to the job bank to look for a job, never expecting to find one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm overwhelmed. I didn't believe this. I didn't expect for this to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Right after she appeared in an interview on CNN. But did she accept that job interview? She's on our "Faces of Recession" tonight. And she'll join us live this hour.
Also, if you're in the job market, check out the food, drink or tobacco industry. According to the Associated Press, they are still hiring.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: We've been taking your comments and later we're going to answer some of your questions in our "Faces of the Recession" segment. Here's just some of what you've written to us.
Portlandreed says, "I just saw your piece on the man who was wearing the almost homeless billboard. His story was troubling at best."
Ctguy2675 said "Over a year into the recession, and the unemployment numbers are getting worse by the month. We have not hit bottom yet."
Ultimatejosh, "The labor protest is just one of many instances across the U.S. of citizens acting where government has failed. Thanks for covering it."
Cargirl1, "Personally, I would like to know how to get a job. I graduate high school in January, and no one wants to hire people my age."
Make sure you join in on the dialog tonight. Go to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or ireport.com and tell us what you're thinking. Please, send us your questions for our experts.
Facing hard times and the risk of unemployment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to rally around each other, and I think we're going to get through this storm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: A Michigan family pulls together as the future of the auto industry teeters on the brink. We're looking into the faces of recession.
But first, if you're looking for a job, consider the railroad, utility, logging or mining industries. That sector, according to the Associated Press, they are still growing markets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: All right. During this half hour, we're taking a closer look at the real faces and the real people affected by recession and unemployment.
Now here's a breakdown for you just to make this even more real for you. 533,000 jobs lost in November alone. And that's pushing the unemployment rate to 6.7 percent. In all, 1.9 million people lost their jobs this year. And we'll be talking to three people who are living this right now -- people who have lost their jobs or worrying about losing their jobs.
And one of those is Mike Demeniuk. He is -- he and his family are from Michigan and have made a living working in the auto industry. Now, job cuts, and the possibility of the industry going under are taking a toll. I want you to listen to what that family has to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE DEMENIUK, IAC AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER EMPLOYEE: It's sad to see something like this actually happen. I hope and pray that it turns around and we can, you know, get these people working again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If the industry were just to go under, my husband would lose his job. Most of my siblings would lose their jobs. And we wouldn't be able to help each other out when needed as families do because we are all in the same situation.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terrible to see how the auto industry is being treated by Congress. Acting like they're the bad guys, and they've done something terrible, and how dare you come here. But the banks were just handed cash. It's terrible.
DEMENIUK: Well, we're going to rally around each other, and I think we're going to get through this storm.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Mike Demeniuk is here with us. He joins us from outside of Detroit.
And Mike, sorry to hear about all of this that your family is going through. I have to ask you this, though, how are you preparing for what lies ahead?
DEMENIUK: Well, you know, again, we're hopeful, and we're pretty confident that the Congress is going to hear the plea of the people of the United States, and the auto industry, and they're going to loan the money to the American automotive manufacturers. And we're going to weather this storm. We're going to get through it.
The auto manufacturers are a good, viable company. They're going to be profitable again. We've just got to get through the recessionary period. And I think if the family -- again, the family is important. It's the most important part. And we're going to stick together. We're going to help each other out and we're going to get through it.
LEMON: And Mike, what is it? Is it 20 people in your family employed by the auto industry?
DEMENIUK: Yes. Actually, currently right now, it's 12 people who have, you know, directly related to the automotive industry. Previously before, it was higher. But through layoffs and some, you know, obviously the recession, there's been some reduction.
LEMON: OK, Mike, you know, we feel your pain, obviously. And, you know, no one knows exactly what you're going through because we don't live in your -- we don't walk in your shoes. But I've got to play devil's advocate here, because there are people who say that it's really the auto industries own fault. And why should the auto industry be bailed out. The public is not on your side for a bailout for these companies.
DEMENIUK: Well, I understand that. And -- but you've got to remember is that the automotive industry really was the backbone and is the backbone of the manufacturing in the United States of America. We've been around for over 100 years.
And, you know, to say that this recession is causing every industry problems -- I mean, every industry is having layoffs, massive layoffs. But it just so happens that the magnitude of the automotive industry is far reaching, to every other -- every state in the union, has some people or majority of people, lots of people who are going to be losing their jobs if the automotive industry is not supported by the U.S. Congress.
LEMON: Do you think the auto industry, though, should learn a lesson from this and to make their businesses viable for the 21st century for now? DEMENIUK: Absolutely. The automotive industry knows what they have to do. All right. Mike, stand by real quickly because I want to bring in our personal finance editor here, Gerri Willis. She's with us tonight.
Gerri, obviously, people are losing their jobs.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Right.
LEMON: You heard Mike's story. I mean, it's really sad. And things are getting more desperate. You heard about the folks in Chicago, hold up in their own company. I want to ask you this. I'll talk to you about it a little bit later. But who is hiring in this economy? Can they go anywhere for help?
WILLIS: Well, look, I mean, you know, I know that things are really terrible in the auto industry, and my heart goes out to his family. And really, everybody in Detroit. But the reality is, it's not every industry that's laying off right now.
There are industries that are actually growing like health care. And here you don't have to have a doctor's degree. You don't have to even have secondary education. There are jobs in sort of every sector in health care, from nurses to orderlies, home health care aides, you name it, that are expanding. Nurses, in particular though, are growing over the next few years.
But that's not all. Teaching, a very big growth industry. Also, engineering. Talk about computer science specialists. There's a whole generation of boomers that are retiring who have specialty skills that are difficult to replace. They're occupying jobs in utilities. They're occupying jobs in oil and gas.
Those are areas that are growing as well. So, you're seeing in specialty areas, there is opportunity. Now, I know not everybody's trained for those jobs. But I think some folks are going to have to make a very big leap, and maybe change their direction, change their focus.
LEMON: And for people like Mike Demeniuk, who is with us right now, Gerri, you know, again, it's sad, but is this a wakeup call for people who have been in one industry for such a long time, you think, and that industry may not longer be viable or may run differently in the future, to be looking for some of those other places that you mention there?
WILLIS: Well, you know, Mike, you know, you said family is everything. And I really respect that, and what your family has done. It's fantastic. But at the end of the day, some people in the work force are going to have to become more flexible, willing to do other things, getting trained for other sorts of jobs to make it.
And for all I know, you know, maybe some of this money, you know, whether or not Congress goes with some sort of bailout, maybe some of the money coming into Michigan will help that happen. Maybe green jobs is the way to go. But, you know, my heart really goes out to these people. But I think flexibility is the order of the day -- what else can I do, maybe even, where else can I live.
LEMON: Have you thought about that, Mike, your family?
DEMENIUK: Yes, absolutely. We know that the automotive industry is going to be different than it is today. What it's going to look like in another year or two years, nobody's absolutely sure about that. But it will be around. We have to build cars. America will build cars. We'll build cars for the people of the United States and for people around the world. But how that's going to come out in another day, we don't know yet.
LEMON: All right. Mike Demeniuk, thank you very much. Again, we wish you the very best of luck.
DEMENIUK: Thank you.
LEMON: And our personal finance editor, Gerri Willis, you know, always a pleasure. You're always welcome here on CNN.
WILLIS: My pleasure.
LEMON: Yes, you're sticking around. So, we'll see you in just a little bit, Gerri.
WILLIS: OK.
LEMON: Again, we'll take some questions from people who are logging in right here on Twitter, on Facebook, on MySpace, or iReport.com and see if we can help them out as well. Also again, as we said, we want to know what's on your mind, so send it to us.
She came on CNN to talk about her job search and it turned out better than she could have ever imagined. Better that you could ever imagined. We're talking about Valerie Melrose. She's staying up with us tonight a story that you have to see to believe.
But first, if you're looking for a job, take a closer look at the oil and gas industries. According to the Associated Press, they are two industries that are still growing.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: People are doing anything they can these days to try to find work. And many people looking for new jobs are turning to job banks for help. Earlier this week, our Gerri Willis was at a career counseling center in Yonkers, New York, where she met Valerie Melrose.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VALERIE MELROSE, JOB SEEKER: I am over 50. I'm a college graduate from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. And I also have a master's degree. And I never thought that I would be in this position where I would be unemployed. But in this job economic market, it's tough for -- it's a challenge for anyone, but especially when you're over 50.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, Gerri and Valerie, both join us tonight.
And Gerri, right after that interview, Valerie got -- at least we got a call here at CNN. You want to take it away and tell us about this.
WILLIS: Well, I'll tell you a little bit about this. Not long after we got off the air, there was a call that came into the job center for Valerie, a potential employer who wanted to talk to her.
And Valerie, I want to ask you, how did that feel to have a bite, to have somebody interested in you that quickly?
MELROSE: That was amazing. That was the last thing that I thought would have happened yesterday. It was astonishing that right after we finished the interview, that someone would call with a job offer. That was the last thing I expected.
WILLIS: Yes, you just thought you were going to come in and talk to a few people.
MELROSE: Not even that. I thought I was just going to blend into the background. You know, sit on the computer, look busy, not be on camera.
WILLIS: Let's talk about what you've done now because it's not like you've sat around. You've actually tried to improve your skills. You're over 50. You were not really computer literate at one point, but now you are. Tell the audience about how you tried to change up your plan, improve your plan to get a job.
MELROSE: Well, first of all, I utilized the services of the Yonkers employment bank. And they prepped me on my interviewing skills. Also, they brought me up to speed on the computer skills, which was very important because 20 years ago, when I was last out there trying to get a job, we didn't have all of this. We didn't have to deal with e-mailing and faxing and what-not.
So that was kind of daunting. But once I got into the flow of it, you know, I really began to like it. It was a little bit easier in that you didn't have to really be pounding the doors as much. But it still is quite hard.
WILLIS: Now, you obviously have been looking for a job for some time. How hard is it now? You're over 50. You actually have a disability, which we didn't talk about in this segment. How hard is it now? And how much work do you have to do to give employers the desire to hire you? What does it take?
MELROSE: It's very challenging. It is very challenging because, first of all, like you say, I am over 50. So right there, that's a challenge. And with a disability, it's even more so. So, you really have to sell yourself. You really have to put your skills on display in an interview, and sometimes they'll look at you kind of, you know, cockeyed, but then when they see your experience and your professionalism, hopefully, you will get that call back.
WILLIS: How optimistic are you that you will land the job you want in the next three months, six months, a year? Do you believe that you're going to be successful at this?
MELROSE: I have to believe that. That's the only way you can go at it, because if you don't, you'll be down about things. So, you always count your blessings and just go forward and keep on striving.
WILLIS: Valerie, you are a real -- isn't she great?
LEMON: She's awesome.
WILLIS: She's fantastic.
MELROSE: Thank you.
LEMON: Hey, give me her phone number, e-mail, so I could talk to her. She could give me a pep talk afterwards.
WILLIS: I'm telling you...
MELROSE: We'll do.
LEMON: She's great, she's great. Valerie, best of luck to you. Thank you for coming in tonight.
MELROSE: You're welcome, Don.
LEMON: And thank you, Gerri, as well.
WILLIS: My pleasure.
LEMON: We've another sign of the times for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pride doesn't mean anything. You need to find work. I have to take care of my family.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: One man takes his job search to the streets. Our special look at the faces of the recession. It continues.
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LEMON: OK. We're talking about the faces of recession here, and earlier in our show, we told you about Paul Nawrocki, unemployed executive. He is a former toy company executive, now walking the streets of Manhattan with a sandwich board, trying to scare up job leads. And you know what? It is an image reminiscent of the depression. Our Richard Roth asked him about that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) PAUL NAWROCKI, UNEMPLOYED EXECUTIVE: My daughter said to me, she said, you know, you should take some resumes and hand them out on the street. And we started talking, and she actually came up with the suggestion of putting on the sign board. And I thought, you know, that's not a bad idea. So, here I am.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: There he is. Paul Nawrocki joins us live from New York City to talk about his unusual job hunting experience.
Paul, has the exposure this week on CNN, has it resulted in any leads for you?
NAWROCKI: Actually, yes. There was a gentleman that approached me during the interview from OSI international recruiting firm, and he called me today, and we had a talk. We're going to talk some more tomorrow. I -- he wants to review my job skills.
A lot of the upper middle management people in operations have been outsourced to other countries. So, there's fewer of the jobs on top of us being in the middle of a recession. So he said maybe we can work together and come up with a plan to try to market what my strong points are.
LEMON: OK. And just looking at your sign there. Don't read all of it, but just read some of it. You said, "almost homeless, looking for employment." What does it say there? "Very experienced in..."
NAWROCKI: Very experienced in operations and administration manager, desperately seeking full-time employment with insurance benefits for self and family, disabled wife on 15 medications.
LEMON: Oh, my gosh.
NAWROCKI: Request a copy of my resume.
LEMON: You know, when I heard this -- I was watching the Richard report, and he said, you know, are you embarrassed by this. And you said, not at all because when you're desperate, there's no room for embarrassment.
NAWROCKI: Well, there are a lot of people that are in the same position that I'm in. One of the things that's happened as a result of this, I've gotten e-mails from all over the country. In fact, all over the world, from people like myself who are -- who have had long careers, sometimes very successful careers, making good salaries, who are suddenly out of work and find they can't even get an interview from anybody, despite the fact that they have superlative references and wonderful resumes. It's -- an interesting thing.
LEMON: Yes.
NAWROCKI: I didn't put the board on for the publicity. But I think the media attention is partly because it's an invisible thing that exists much more than we realize. I think there are a lot of people out there that are in the same position that I'm in right now, and it's a little frightening.
LEMON: But you're looking to get people's attention. And so you got our attention. So partially -- yes, partially, you know, your strategy is paying off here. Have you -- you haven't gotten any sort of bite when it comes to a job. Would you take just about any job? I mean, would you take, you know, a job in one of the industries that we talked about, in the food industry, in...
NAWROCKI: I'd take -- I'd take a job in any industry. Of course, the consideration would be if you make enough to make a living. I live about 60 miles north of New York City. So if I were to be hired by a firm in the city, the monthly commutation comes out to almost $5,000 a year. They're talking about raising MTA ticket costs by 23 percent. And when you add that to what it is already, it's a big chunk right off the top of your salary.
LEMON: It's always something, right?
NAWROCKI: So if someone offers you a job that pays, you know, $20,000 a year, it's a significant part of your salary. So I would have to have something that actually pays enough.
LEMON: OK. Real quickly. When do your benefits -- your insurance, when does that run out?
NAWROCKI: Well, I've only paid my insurance benefits through the end of last month. I'm trying to scrape up the money to cover -- actually, last month's isn't paid yet. I have to pay last month's and this month.
LEMON: OK, Paul, listen, we're going to have to run here. Sorry, we've got a lot -- lots of news to cover. But I want to tell you that we have been taking people's comments, and there was a comment that came in for you, and it's from a gentleman. It says teemoney. And we have his address and he says, do you have a copy of Paul Nawrocki's resume? We may have something for him.
So, when I'm finished with you here, I want you to stick around and talk to our producers, and they're going to put you in touch with this gentleman and see if we can get you a job, OK?
NAWROCKI: That's great. Thank you.
LEMON: Thank you, sir. Best of luck to you. Again, we want to know what's on your mind tonight, as well. Make sure you log on to Twitter, Facebook, iReport.com. Tell us what you're thinking and we'll get some of your responses on the air.
Also, they might not know what recession is, but they sure know about tough times. Kids reveal their inner thoughts in letters to Santa and volunteers work to make their wishes come true. And if you think they want video games or pricey clothes, you better think again.
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LEMON: OK. You know little children don't understand macro economics, but they certainly sense money is tight these days. I don't even understand it. It's a heartbreaking sign of the times that this holiday, many letters to Santa are not asking for toys. Instead, they're appealing for basic necessities, diapers for a little sister, a pair of slippers, even rent money. Some children even include report cards to Santa so that Santa knows that they have been good.
Well, known as "Operation Santa," certain post offices let the public pick through the Santa letters to some of those -- so some of those wishes can come true. And to learn more about the program and find out how you can help, go to beanelf.org.
OK. Here's more of your responses tonight as we've been talking about our faces of recession.
Mclanea says, "The Detroit area must diversify their operations to make it to the 21st century. A bailout just delays that."
And PresJackFord says, "I think that we really need to bail out the Big 3 because they are the Main Street. We should have people help -- we should have helped in the first place."
All right. CJ859 says, "How is it possible to be unemployed with a Master's degree, a BS, and three AA degrees?"
It's still -- I still like it, yes, iStillLikeitBSB says, "I work at American Express, and it has been reported they're letting go about 7,000 employees. We fear that we may be next."
Back in a moment.
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LEMON: I'm Don Lemon in Atlanta, where you can see we're in the holiday spirit tonight.
See you back here tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. Eastern. Make sure you have a good night.
