Economic Recovery and Working Conditions in the US

9 million jobs have been created since the recession, most of which are low-wage jobs like Germania's at a fast food giant.

Germania works 37 hours per week at a multinational fast food corporation, earning around $900 a month.
Despite working multiple jobs, many Americans struggle to make ends meet, with minimum wage jobs being common.
Workers often have to pick up part-time jobs, working 70 hours a week, 7 days a week, leaving them with little time for rest.

Germania's lack of sleep affects her appetite and ability to focus, making it difficult to manage her daily life.
She has to worry about making money to buy food and cook for her kids, making every day a struggle.

The United States has experienced 73 straight months of job growth in the private sector.
The country has created more jobs than ever before, and companies have made huge profits.

Despite the positive economic indicators, many Americans like Germania still struggle to make ends meet.
The economic recovery has come at a high cost, with workers having to sacrifice their well-being for low wages.### The Working Poor in America
1 in 2 workers in the US are living in poverty due to unstable, underpaid jobs
Since the recession, 9 million jobs have been created, but at least half are modest and underpaid
To escape poverty in the US, one would need to earn at least $15 an hour, but many workers earn minimum wage
Employers are pushing the limits by parceling out hours and breaking up shifts to avoid paying benefits
1,700 families in one stretch of road in Florida are living in cheap motels because they can't afford to rent apartments

Germania, a 25-year-old single mother, is working three jobs to make ends meet
She earns 8anhourandpays8 an hour and pays 8anhourandpays850 a month to live in a motel room with her three children
Despite working hard, she can only see her children for 4 hours a day and gets 1-2 hours of sleep a night

The American Dream is no longer attainable for many working-class Americans
The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer
The economic recovery has only benefited the wealthy, leaving the working class behind

Joe, a 39-year-old construction worker, moved from California to Seattle in search of work
He earns $1,300 a month, barely enough to support his family of four
His family has to live in a camp with 40-50 other people, sharing bathrooms and living in difficult conditions

500 families in Seattle are living in temporary camps, struggling to survive
Over 1 million children in the US are homeless, twice as many as before the economic crash
The economic recovery has only widened the gap between the rich and the poor

Erie, Pennsylvania, was once the industrial capital of the US, but now its factories are shutting down
General Electric, one of the largest companies in the US, is relocating to Texas, where wages are lower and there are no trade unions
1,353 workers in Erie have lost their jobs due to the relocation, leaving them feeling humiliated and abandoned### The American Dream
The concept of the American Dream is fading, with many Americans struggling to make ends meet and facing uncertainty about their future.
The middle class, which was once the backbone of American society, has been declining over the past few decades.

Tom, a worker at General Electric, has been laid off and is receiving 70% of his salary for 6 months due to union negotiations.
The company wants to get rid of 181 more jobs, but the union is fighting to protect workers' rights.
The union believes the company can afford to keep the jobs, but the company is seeking increasing profit margins.

In the 1960s and 1970s, one in every three Americans was protected by a union, but now it's only one in 10.
The decline of unionization is attributed to the fear of losing jobs if workers form a union, which has been instilled in people by governments and employers.

Tom is a punctual man who misses the daily routine and sense of purpose that came with his job.
He is worried about the uncertainty of his future and the impact on his family.

Germania is a single mother who has been homeless with her children, moving from hotel to hotel.
She wants to provide a stable life for her children and have a home where they can feel settled.
With the help of a family aid program, Germania and her children are finally able to move into a three-room apartment.

The economic recovery has only benefited a small portion of Americans, while the middle class continues to struggle.
The widening income gap and declining middle class are threatening the American Dream.

Joe, Chelsea, and their children are refugees in their own country, having moved 10 times in the past year.
They have been living in a tent camp, but are finally able to move into an emergency shelter with real beds and a bathroom.
The family is grateful for the temporary solution, but knows they still have a long way to go to achieve stability.