Economic Recovery and Working Conditions in the US

Economic Recovery in the United States

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

Working Conditions and Wages

• 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.

Impact on Daily Life

• 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.

Economic Indicators

• 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.

Contradictions in Economic Recovery

• 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's Story

• 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

• 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

Seattle's Economic Refugees

• 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

The Hidden Face of Economic Recovery

• 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

America's Industrial Decline

• 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.

Unemployment and Union Negotiations

• 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.

Decline of Unionization

• 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's Story

• 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's Story

• 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 American Economy

• 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.

Homelessness

• 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.