WaPo - For the biggest group of American workers, wages aren't just flat. They're falling.

[TomCADem]

For all the Fox News happy talk about the Trump economy, the ugly truth is that just as real wages started to go back up under President Obama, they have not only stagnated, but for some groups, real wages have gone down under Trump.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/06/15/for-the-biggest-group-of-american-workers-wages-arent-just-flat-theyre-falling/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7d3130e6caf0

The average hourly wage paid to a key group of American workers has fallen from last year when accounting for inflation, as an economy that appears strong by several measures continues to fail to create bigger paychecks, the federal government said Tuesday.

For workers in “production and nonsupervisory” positions, the value of the average paycheck has declined in the past year. For those workers, average “real wages” — a measure of pay that takes inflation into account — fell from $22.62 in May 2017 to $22.59 in May 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

This pool of workers includes those in manufacturing and construction jobs, as well as all “nonsupervisory” workers in service industries such health care or fast food. The group accounts for about four-fifths of the privately employed workers in America, according to BLS.

Without adjusting for inflation, these “nonsupervisory” workers saw their average hourly earnings jump 2.8 percent from last year. But that was not enough to keep pace with the 2.9 percent increase in inflation, which economists attributed to rising gas prices.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. I own a small woman-owned marketing consulting firm.

I started my company at the end of 2011. Business was doing much better under Obama. It's harder to sign clients now and to get some existing ones to pay on time. Despite doing good work, some are now trying to get multiple quotes instead of renewing contracts as well.

Very frustrating.

I don't think it's just me.

[peggysue2]

3. So much . . .

Winning! And as it turns out those states that the Trumpster rang up his fantastic electoral win--Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylanvia--are softening on Trump and his bombastic, serial lying.

So sad.

[BigmanPigman]

4. When will the deplorables realize this will effect them in their own pocketbooks?

Maybe when they add up the increases in their healthcare due to the ACA cuts, the tax scam benefits the rich, and the tariffs will make them earn less but pay more they will finally vote Dem.

[TomCADem]

11. Maybe They Willingly Pay this Racism Premium

This the tax some white voters would gladly pay to have their racism validated.

[BigmanPigman]

12. That is an interesting idea.

Add up all the costs that they end up paying due to their GOP vote as opposed to Dem votes. If a bill for each constituent had an attached bill on their ballot and they had to pay it in order to cast their vote that might sway a few of the "put your money where your moth is" group.

[TomCADem]

13. Lyndon Johnson Made This Observation in the 1960s...

[BigmanPigman]

14. Sage words!

[smirkymonkey]

5. K&R

[TalenaGor]

6. baby boomers can't retire

My coworker....has a terminal lung disease....he's 65 and works wearing oxygen.... 😟

[TheFrenchRazor]

8. can't he get disability? nt

[TalenaGor]

9. it's only 60% of his income so he's trying to figure it out

[TheFrenchRazor]

7. this has been going on for decades. don't know why people keep acting like this is news. nt

[TomCADem]

10. Stagnation is different from decline

If wages are flat in low inflation environment, then you just aren’T moving forward. However, flat wages in an inflationary environment means you are poorer, not just running in place, which is amazing given all the hype about the Trump economy on Fox News.

With Obama, the complaint was stagnation with real wage increases only happening on the tail end of his Presidency, which is likely attributable to the Great Recession.

[UTUSN]

15. K&R