Unions are essential to the creation of and holding of a middle class in our country, and the middle class is essential to the spending and growing of our economy. Incomes have grown in the past 35 years, and one reason for a shrinkage of workers in the middle class income bracket is that lots of those folks moved up into the upper-middle class income bracket. Another factor at play in the decrease of the middle class is that less skilled and experienced workers, women and immigrants have joined the workforce and earn lower wages. Women still earn less money than men for doing the same jobs; how is that possible in 21st century America?! That needs to change NOW! Inflation plays a huge part in the total scheme of our GDP and how our economy works. I am grateful to have been a union employee most of my adult life. We can thank unions for having weekends off, vacation, sick-time and paid leave, medical benefits, pensions, safe working conditions and fair bargaining status! Count me as a union gal!
A June 2016 Washington Post study displayed this income bracket: Poor: $0 – $29,999; Lower Middle Class: $30,000 – $49,999; Middle Class: $50,000 – $99,000; Upper Middle Class: $100,000 – $349,000; and Rich: $350,000 and up.
Sep 9 2016
How does the decline in the percentage of union jobs in the U.S. factor into the shrinking Middle Class?
Unions are essential to the creation of and holding of a middle class in our country, and the middle class is essential to the spending and growing of our economy. Incomes have grown in the past 35 years, and one reason for a shrinkage of workers in the middle class income bracket is that lots of those folks moved up into the upper-middle class income bracket. Another factor at play in the decrease of the middle class is that less skilled and experienced workers, women and immigrants have joined the workforce and earn lower wages. Women still earn less money than men for doing the same jobs; how is that possible in 21st century America?! That needs to change NOW! Inflation plays a huge part in the total scheme of our GDP and how our economy works. I am grateful to have been a union employee most of my adult life. We can thank unions for having weekends off, vacation, sick-time and paid leave, medical benefits, pensions, safe working conditions and fair bargaining status! Count me as a union gal!
A June 2016 Washington Post study displayed this income bracket: Poor: $0 – $29,999; Lower Middle Class: $30,000 – $49,999; Middle Class: $50,000 – $99,000; Upper Middle Class: $100,000 – $349,000; and Rich: $350,000 and up.
By spiritspeak • Community Roundtable 0