Organizing McDonalds and Walmart, and Why Austerity Economics Hurts Low-Wage Workers the Most

[marmar]

by Robert Reich


Organizing McDonalds and Walmart, and Why Austerity Economics Hurts Low-Wage Workers the Most
Friday, November 30, 2012


What does the drama in Washington over the “fiscal cliff” have to do with strikes and work stoppages among America’s lowest-paid workers at Walmart, McDonald’s, Burger King, and Domino’s Pizza?

Everything.

Jobs are slowly returning to America, but most of them pay lousy wages and low if non-existent benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that seven out of 10 growth occupations over the next decade will be low-wage — like serving customers at big-box retailers and fast-food chains. That’s why the median wage keeps dropping, especially for the 80 percent of the workforce that’s paid by the hour.

It’s also part of the reason why the percent of Americans living below the poverty line has been increasing even as the economy has started to recover — from 12.3 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2011. More than 46 million Americans now live below the poverty line. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://robertreich.org/post/36892075499

[patrice]

1. K&R !