All articles tagged with #black workers
During Trump's presidency, Black unemployment has risen significantly while white unemployment remains relatively stable, reflecting policies that appear to undermine protections for Black workers and reverse progress on civil rights, amidst broader economic challenges.
The decline in US auto jobs and the erosion of unions have disproportionately affected Black workers, who have historically relied on union auto jobs for financial stability. The shift to electric vehicles and the opening of plants in the union-hostile South pose further challenges. The outcome of the UAW strike and the future of the industry will have a significant impact on Black workers. Unionization has been crucial in improving the economic prospects of Black workers, but declining unionization has contributed to the growing Black-White wage gap. The rise of non-union auto jobs in the South, coupled with the growth of electric vehicle plants, offers an opportunity for change and inclusion for Black workers in a region known for low pay and union hostility.
William E. Spriggs, a prominent Black economist and advocate for workers, especially Black workers, died at the age of 68. He served as the chief economist for the A.F.L.-C.I.O. for over a decade and was an assistant secretary of labor in the Obama administration. Dr. Spriggs was a vocal critic of racial disparities in the labor market and challenged his profession’s assumptions about race. He mentored a generation of Black economists while pushing for change within a field dominated by white men.
The unemployment rate for Black and Hispanic workers in the US decreased in April, while it remained stable for Asian American workers. The overall unemployment rate decreased to 3.4%, the lowest since 1969. The labor force participation rate for Black workers declined, suggesting that some unemployed workers stopped looking for a job or didn't get one. The health care and social assistance industry saw a significant increase in jobs, which is positive news for women and people of color who tend to hold managerial positions in these industries.