Baby Boomer Author Urges Employers to Hire Chronically Unemployed Older Workers

By: Timothy Fitzgerald

(PRWEB) August 23, 2010 -- In commemoration of Labor Day, San Jose baby boomer and author Timothy Fitzgerald, who holds a bachelors and masters in economics, urges businesses to hire chronically unemployed older workers. In the United States, unemployed older workers who are 55 and older have been the hardest hit by the recession. A whopping 39.4 percent of unemployed older workers have experienced long-term unemployment. Older workers had the highest rate of long-term unemployment in comparison to any other age group.

At the age of 58, Timothy Fitzgerald (http://www.timfitzgerald.org) became unemployed after he was laid-off from his position a few years ago as a community college instructor. After looking for work for almost a year, Mr. Fitzgerald ended his job search. He no longer could cope with the severe discrimination he experienced as an older person. Mr. Fitzgerald later lost his apartment at the age of 59 and became homeless.

"Ageism is alive and well in the workplace and it needs to end now," said San Jose author and community activist Timothy Fitzgerald. "Employers need to stop treating baby boomers as second class workers."

"As baby boomers, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to businesses," continued Mr. Fitzgerald. "The baby boomers, who mentor and counsel the newly arriving workforce, are an intangible asset that no business can afford to do without."

"Baby boomers' experiences will lift our nation from the depths of this recession and create a win-win situation for all generations," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "Accordingly, I urge businesses to hire chronically unemployed older workers."

As for himself, at the age of 64 Timothy Fitzgerald currently is enrolled in the over-60 program at San Jose State University as a post-graduate student; and is now completing his third master's degree. He is on track to be awarded this degree in Philosophy in fall 2010.

In 2009, as a qualified historian, Fitzgerald authored "The Wawona Brotherhood: The SeptemberSan Jose State Campus Revolt" in which he chronicles his experiences at San Jose State University during the turbulent 1960s through the early 1970s. In his eight-year quest to obtain his bachelor's degree, Mr. Fitzgerald battled mental illness and poverty. Despite these obstacles, Mr. Fitzgerald was a widely recognized student leader in the 1960s at San Jose State.

In 1969, Mr. Fitzgerald led the winning campaign that made history in the state of California by mobilizing baby boomers on San Jose State campus to elect the first African-American campus student body president in the state university system. In addition, he was instrumental in desegregating off-campus student housing in San Jose. Furthermore, Mr. Fitzgerald collaborated with leading campus figures to create a new governing system on the San Jose State campus.

Ever since his time as an undergraduate, Mr. Fitzgerald has been a community activist in San Jose for over thirty years. He ran for San Jose City Council in the 1980s; and in the 1990s, he ran for State Assembly. Mr. Fitzgerald is the former Vice Chairman of the Disability Advisory Commission in San Jose; and in addition is a former Green Party state leader.

Mr. Fitzgerald has been a guest on American Voice Radio Network's New World Order Disorder, LA Talk Radio's Bipolar Nation, San Francisco radio station KPOO's Community Worker, San Jose radio station KKUP's Silicon Valley Voice and has appeared on San Jose radio station KBAY and Mammoth Lakes radio station KMMT. He also has been interviewed by the San Jose State Spartan Daily along with the Mammoth Times and Los Gatos Times Weekly.

For more information about author and community activist Timothy Fitzgerald, visit his Web site http://www.timfitzgerald.org/. For interviews, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 408.726.9940.