Labor Day: A Holiday that Reveals a Mixed Bag for Workers

Eden Solomon likes her job as a sales associate at the Wal-Mart in Dunwoody's Perimeter Village.

On Monday, Labor Day, she was stocking FUBU children's sneakers off a moving cart.

But if hard work is good for the soul, there's some underlying issues. She drives from Lawrenceville for work, 26 miles - most by way of I-85 - not necessarily a commuter's dream.

So, why is Solomon in Dunwoody? It's one of the few jobs she could land, she said. A sales associate in retail that specializes in jewelry and shoes, she said, the woman applied closer to home.

Roses, among other retail outlets, didn't work out. Why is that? A generally soft economy that creates a highly competitive market, say employment officials.

"This is the only job I got. I'm really lucky. I could have no job," Solomon said.

But before Solomon spoke of her own situation, she spoke of a neighbor friend from Lawrenceville.

He was laid off recently from AT&T several months ago.  Now he's driving trucks to make money. Long haul stuff. Driving to places all over the country, she said. It keeps him away from his sizable family.

"He's way from his family a lot. It's real sad," she said.

She found her friend's job predicament odd. She described him - refusing to name him without his permission - as a "genius."

He worked in customer service for AT&T residential and commercial telecommunications services. Months ago, amid news of economic recovery, he was let go.

His five children have felt the layoff, as well, she said. A son in college is focusing on studying and is now helping make the family finances work by getting a job.

"He has to be there for his family," she said.