On the Facebook page for the Albany (NY) Newspaper Guild, there are photos of hard-working Times Union folks. They are holding yellow placards indicating what they cannot afford as a result of not having gotten a raise from the newspaper for three-quarters of a decade. You can also see all the pictures on the Guild’s blog.
It is evident that, despite a substantial decline in unemployment in the United States since the Great Recession, stagnant wages are crimping economic growth. Moreover, a decade of flat wages is “the key barrier to shared prosperity and a rising middle class,” a middle class the newspaper needs to grow.
Interesting that even the notoriously stingy Wal-Mart has raised the salaries of its lowest-paid employees recently.
Some of the placard messages:
We should share in Hearst’s record profits after sending Times Union profits to Hearst for decades.
I worry about money all the time.
I can’t afford to buy from Times Union advertisers.
Heartache, knowing that some of my colleagues with chronic illnesses cannot afford the medical care they need.
I work hard all the time, but I don’t think I am valued by the company.
A bleak job future
A possible career change
Greed and abuse of power
I can not do the home repairs I need to do.
All costs are rising EXCEPT the raise!!
Thought this was a record-setting year?
A reduction in 401K contributions.
I have no money to save for my children’s education, or my retirement.
Having to choose whether to buy medicine, pay bills or buy gifts for grandkids.
***
Photo used with permission.
I’ve been noting for the last couple of years that the central economic problem most people seem to be facing isn’t what the government is taking out of their paychecks, but what their employers are refusing to put INTO them. I’m seeing a lot of anecdotal stuff, like this, that makes me wonder if we’re not seeing people start to realize this, after years of people being convinced by the political right in this country that it’s TAXES TAXES TAXES that are holding them back.
“I work hard all the time, but I don’t think I am valued by the company.”
Financial-think in the boardroom, exacerbated by tax policy. Employees aren’t assets; they’re expenses.