Tag

Low Wage Workers

All articles tagged with #low wage workers

politics1 month ago•9 min saved

The Hidden Subsidy: How Big Employers Lean on Public Benefits to Keep Wages Low

The article argues that major U.S. employers rely on public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP to subsidize their low-wage workforce, with only five of the top 20 employers paying median wages above the Medicaid/SNAP thresholds. Citing Walmart as a case and a report from the Institute for Policy Studies, it notes many workers rely on public coverage because employer-provided benefits are insufficient and warns that Republican cuts to Medicaid/SNAP will worsen hardship. It concludes that Medicaid/SNAP are essential supports for working Americans and that companies should acknowledge this subsidy and raise wages accordingly to protect both workers and the economy.

via Washington Monthly|

#affordability #corporate-subsidies #low-wage-workers

labor-and-employment2 years ago•8 min saved

Unions' Quest for Justice: Amplifying Labor's Voice for Environmental and Racial Equality

Unions and labor groups are employing new tactics to organize low-wage workers in the anti-union South, including organizing across different workplaces, bypassing traditional shop-by-shop elections, and taking direct strike action. Despite facing resistance from a regional culture resistant to collective bargaining, hostile political leaders, and right-to-work laws, these efforts aim to reverse decades of organizing failures. While there is little evidence of success so far, there are indications that low-wage Southern workers are becoming more receptive to union pitches. Labor groups are focusing on direct engagement with workers and highlighting the benefits of collective bargaining. The hope is that organizing efforts in the South can have a transformative impact on workers nationwide.

via POLITICO|

#collective-bargaining #labor-and-employment #low-wage-workers

business2 years ago•3 min saved

Income Inequality: CEOs Earn 601 Times More Than Workers

A report from the Institute for Policy Studies reveals that the CEOs of the top 100 low-wage companies in the S&P 500 earned an average of $601 for every $1 earned by the average worker in 2022. These companies paid their employees a median wage of $31,672, while their CEOs took home an average of $15.3 million. The report also highlights the prevalence of stock buybacks among these companies, with 90 out of the 100 conducting buybacks totaling $341.2 billion from January 2020 to May 2023. The report suggests that government policies should be implemented to discourage stock buybacks and incentivize companies to invest in their workforce.

via The Guardian US|

#business #ceo-compensation #corporate-governance

business3 years ago•5 min saved

US inflation concerns continue to weigh on markets and economy.

Low-wage workers in the US are struggling to keep up with rising inflation, with many saying their wages are not enough to cover basic expenses. This comes as the country reaches an inflection point in inflation, with prices rising at the fastest pace in decades. Some experts predict a possible recession in the near future, while others argue that the Federal Reserve should continue to raise interest rates to combat inflation. Additionally, plastic water bottles are not only bad for the environment but also impact human health.

via CNN|

#business #economy #health

business3 years ago•2 min saved

Experts skeptical of continued growth in pay for low-wage workers.

Low-wage workers saw a 9% growth in real wages between 2019 and 2022, the biggest hike in decades, due to factors such as financial security measures during the pandemic, a smaller pool of job applicants, and historically low unemployment numbers. However, experts predict that this growth is unlikely to continue as job growth slows and inflation eats away at any gains made.

via CNBC|

#business #inflation #job-market

educationlabor3 years ago•6 min saved

The LAUSD Strike Exposes the Struggles of Los Angeles Life and Economic Inequality.

The ongoing strike by Los Angeles Unified School District workers highlights the economic divide in the city, where low-wage workers struggle to make ends meet while affluent professionals pay high prices for goods and services. The district relies on tens of thousands of staff members who are struggling to keep up with rising costs in a state that lacks enough housing. Most of the families they serve are in the same boat, with 89 percent of the district’s households qualifying as economically disadvantaged. The strike is expected to end on Thursday.

via The New York Times|

#economic-divide #educationlabor #housing