SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) One in ten Americans in the U.S. workforce is now without a job. 190,000 jobs were lost in the last month. “It’s more than a number, its real people” Kim Watson says.

She sees the people behind those numbers every day at Utah Employment Services, a temporary job agency in West Valley City. She says as the job outlook grows more desperate, job seekers are willing to compromise, taking part-time, temporary positions, and less pay. “The competition is so stiff that while job seekers had two or three other candidates they were competing with in the past, now they have dozens even hundreds of people competing for the same job and if they don’t get it, they are more likely to say well, OK, I guess if I can’t get that I am willing to not get the pay that I am accustomed to or maybe even willing to commute further.”

She says because the unemployed are giving up pay and hours, they are working more. “because they are compromising with their wage so much, they are ending up having to get a second or third job.”

34,000 jobs were added by temporary help services like Utah Employment Services last month. Zion’s Bank Economist, Jeff Thredgold says employers are facing increasing demand but are bringing on temporary workers until they are sure their higher sales are permanent. He says it is another sign the economy is growing. “It’s not unusual when the economy starts to grow again that we still have unemployment rising, we still have job losses. It takes a while for the confidence to get back.”

Thredgold also says there will likely be and ebb and flow of good, and bad, job news in the months ahead. “You are going to see more good news, and bad news come in the employment sectors as we see good news coming from a whole lot of other sectors.”

Thredgold says that means the unemployment rate will probably inch a little higher, and there will be months of job loss and job gain, but he says, at least we are headed in the right direction. “The job numbers actually weren’t all that bad, we lost 190,000 jobs and that’s terrible, it was worse than expected, but at the first of this year we were losing 700-thousand jobs a month.”

He says we are coming off of the longest, deepest, and the most painfully costly, most pervasive recession since the great depression. Thredgold says we have already come a long way.  He says two things must happen for Utah to climb out of the recession. First, he says, the U.S. economy must start growing again, and second, the global economy must start growing again. He says both are now happening, and he anticipates the recession in the beehive state will be over by mid-2010.

Meanwhile, he and Watson say those looking for work should not give up.

Next up?  Bring in a can tomorrow and take a spin on the race track!  Fans who bring non-perishable food items will be allowed to drive their car three laps around MMP's 4.5 mile course between 9 am and 4 pm!  Bring the kids because passengers are allowed!  All proceeds will benefit the Utah Food Bank.

Brining in a can will also land you a free ride on Snowbird's tram from 11am to 5pm as part of their “Customer Appreciation Days” going on tomorrow and Sunday!

Freebie number four?  One week from tonight, Gallivan Center Ice Rink will host a free skate night from 7 to 10pm.  The night includes free admission, ice skate rentals, free hot cocoa...even some free musical entertainment.

Next up?  Do you tweet?  If you do, you can win free Ute basketball tickets to tomorrow's big game! Coach Jim Boylen is giving tickets to the tweet that tells him best why they deserve the seats!

Lastly, tomorrow from 10am to 2pm, Taylorsville is offering a free health fair...including cholesterol, blood pressure, even bone density checks!

As for the abc4.com “mystery freebie,” children can enjoy a free 65-minute program featuring short films from around the world put on by the Salt Lake City Film Center.  The event will be held at 10 am at the Sorensen Unity Center, at 1383 South 900 West.

“Utah joins the entire nation in grieving today for the servicemen and women killed and injured during yesterday’s tragedy at Fort Hood in Texas. One of those brave victims was Private First Class Aaron Nemelka from West Jordan, a young combat engineer who was preparing to put his life on the line to protect the values that we hold dear.

“Jeanette and I extend our deepest condolences to Private First Class Nemelka’s family, as well as all of the families affected by this senseless attack. We ought never forget about those who risk their lives every day, at home and abroad, to protect our freedoms.”

Private First Class Nemelka enlisted in the Army in October 2008 and belonged to the 5/10th Engineering Company, 20th Infantry Battalion, 36th Engineering Brigade. He was preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan in January.

Also injured in the attack was Private First Class Joey Foster of Ogden, Utah.

“We thank Private First Class Foster for his service, and send our prayers to him for a speedy recovery from his injuries,” Governor Herbert said.

In honor of Private First Class Nemelka and all of those who lost their lives at Fort Hood, and in accordance with a White House proclamation, the Governor has authorized all state agencies to lower the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah from now until sunset on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

----Information from: Governor Herbert

Congressman Jim Matheson said today it is critical that health care reform cover the uninsured while also ensuring that the health care system is secure, stable and affordable. Because the legislation pending in the House fails to accomplish those goals, Matheson said he will vote against HR 3962 when it comes to the floor.

“I am convinced that passing health care reform is a moral and a fiscal necessity. I believe that everyone in this country should have access to quality, affordable health care. On the practical side, we will never balance our federal budget and reduce our dangerous levels of debt without health care reform,” said Matheson.

Matheson said he has participated for months in legislative efforts and offered substantial amendments to craft a bill that would cover 40 million people who are uninsured without adding to the deficit and by lowering the excessive growth in health care costs.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the House bill would—in the future—actually increase both federal outlays for health care and the federal budgetary commitment to health care.

“Putting millions of additional people into a broken system will not work. After meeting directly with the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, I do not believe that this bill makes the system reforms needed to ensure financial stability for our families, our businesses and our federal treasury.” said Matheson.

Matheson notes that health insurance premiums for Utah working families increased 85 percent between 2000 and 2007 while the median earnings increased 17 percent.

“The path we are on is not sustainable. Without real reform, we will continue to strain family budgets, threaten the survival of small businesses and explode our national deficits. But a one-size-fits all, nationally-run plan that doesn’t acknowledge the different health demographics in the states isn’t the answer, “Matheson said.

Matheson said he is encouraged that a bipartisan, budget-deficit-neutral, cost-lowering bill is on the table in the Senate. He said he will continue to be a constructive voice in the effort to pass health care reform in a way that provides better health, stability and opportunity for Utahns.