Wage Growth Still Too Slow
By AFL-CIO
The economy added 313,000 jobs in February, the Labor Department reported, up from 200,000 in January. Wage growth slowed to 2.6% over the previous year, down from 2.8% in January. Working people still are not receiving a fair return on our labor.
The unemployment rate for black workers is 6.9%, which is nearly double that of whites.
February’s jobs report is a reminder that wages are not rising to match working people’s productivity.
Our elected leaders should adopt a policy agenda focused on lifting wages:
- Invest trillions of dollars to rebuild our infrastructure.
- Make it easier to form and join a union.
- Renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement so it works for workers, and engage in strong trade enforcement.
Economic growth can and must be shared with the hardworking men and women who make it possible.
Raising wages boosts consumer spending, which is good for working people, businesses and our entire economy.
