Re:If wages are to rise, workers need more bargaining power
by lotsofpulp on Wednesday June 06, 2018 @08:16AM
(#17246363)
Housing in desirable areas with potential for growth is offset by depressed housing in most of the rest of the US, so for the desirable portions of the country, housing, and higher education and healthcare have outpaced wage growth considerably.
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Re:If wages are to rise, workers need more bargaining power
by Arnt on Wednesday June 06, 2018 @09:22AM
(#17246900)
I'm not sure... is this a roundabout way of saying that the expensive things are the ones you prefer, or is there something more substantive behind the statement?
Re:If wages are to rise, workers need more bargaining power
by lotsofpulp on Wednesday June 06, 2018 @09:44AM
(#17247078)
It means that there is a widening wealth and income gap, and that affects people's day to day lives. It's a more risky winner take all situation, where if you're not in the right place at the right time, you risk getting left behind, and that does affect people's psyche.
People in rural areas where housing costs are not increasing might be experiencing a little wage growth, but there are fewer and fewer future work opportunities.
People in urban areas where housing costs are increasing rapidly, but wages are not increasing rapidly enough to make them feel secure...but they need to stay there in case they're laid off or need to find another employer.
Either situation isn't what's wanted, but the overall statistic is that real wage growth is positive.