Biden Echoes Progressives, Saying Low Wages Are Driving Worker Shortage

[BeckyDem]

BY
Sharon Zhang, Truthout
PUBLISHED
July 22, 2021


At a town hall in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Wednesday night, President Joe Biden appeared to side with progressives on the issue of the so-called worker shortage sweeping the country, saying that it’s a low-wage issue instead.

When an audience member and restaurant owner asked the president how he plans to incentivize people into returning to work, Biden pointed out that workers have shouldered disproportionate blame for businesses not being able to find workers. He challenged the Republican narrative that people are lazy and would rather collect unemployment than return to work and said that it’s the businesses that must attract the workers with appropriate pay and benefits.

“There’s some evidence that maintaining the ability to continue to … have to pay your rent so you don’t get thrown out and being able to provide” are priorities for people in considering their financial situation, the president said.

He suggested that many people may be shifting industries, saying “I think it really is a matter of people deciding now that they have opportunities to do other things and where there is a shortage of employees, people are looking to make more money and to bargain.”

Biden told the business owner that, if businesses want to attract more employees, they should offer higher pay because people won’t settle for $7 or $8 an hour. “If you make less than 15 bucks an hour working 40 hours a week, you’re living below the poverty level,” the president said. Indeed, studies have shown that even $15 an hour isn’t enough for people to cover basic expenses, especially for families.

https://truthout.org/articles/biden-echoes-progressives-saying-low-wages-are-driving-worker-shortage/?utm_campaign=Truthout+Share+Buttons

[brewens]

1. There were always a lot of people that didn't really have to work. They may have thought they had

to, to get ahead faster. A deadly pandemic had them stay home and find out they could cut back and make it okay. Many of those people probably don't think it's safe yet to go back to work. If what they did before didn't pay much, it's going to take more to get them back.

[BeckyDem]

2. Yea, there is a spectrum, no doubt and why Biden fully rejected the Republican narrative.

I think he did a great job on that score.

[brewens]

3. Child care is a huge factor too. If someone stayed home and took care of the kids and found

several ways to cut back expenses, going back may not make sense. I cut back on several things over the last couple of years to save money. Now if I found my income increasing, I really wouldn't go back. Turns out I really didn't like throwing away money on shit I didn't really need or miss when it was gone.

[BeckyDem]

4. All true. Childcare costs are through the roof, that is a crucial point.

[MichMan]

18. Not a surprise as Child care workers also deserve a living wage

Working parents are just going to have to pay more

[Igel]

5. Work search requirements were suspended in Texas until 7/6/2021.

They're officially required, but a lot of offices haven't actually started processing the paperwork or taking official notice.

If you're on unemployment in Texas, you're not getting the $300/period bump to your unemployment, but there's still not much driving you off of unemployment. Other states still haven't canceled the waiver, even if their (R) governors have stopped participating in the additional unemployment amount from the feds.

Otherwise, my son and I used to go out for pizza or burgers 2-3 times a month. Prices have increased--partly because of increased payroll costs--and I can only afford to take him maybe twice a month now.

[MichMan]

17. I could never figure out how to survive on zero income

If they can, then good for them.

[Phoenix61]

6. I think a lot of people assessed how they were living

Kids in multiple after school activities, two people eating lunch out 5 days a week, dry cleaning, cable/streaming services maxed out, paying people to perform all the household takes because no one was home long enough to do them because they were out making money to pay for all the stuff.
Yeah, I think people reset and decided that second job to cover all of it just wasn’t worth it.

[murielm99]

7. Echoes progressives?

What a bullshit headline. Biden is not echoing anyone. He is standing up for working people, which he, and Democrats have always done.

Of course, we should consider the source, Truthout. The founder of Truthout has been banned from DU. His crap articles should not be posted here at all.

[lapucelle]

8. Here's a clip of Biden saying the same thing on May 11. Biden is echoing Biden.

Truthout needs to get out of its bubble.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/ill-informed-cruel-growing-number-gop-led-states-move-end-n1266900

[George II]

9. Yeah, I think it's the other way around. In fact, Biden even wants the Federal Govt to get to....

....$15/hr a year earlier than his last remaining opponent in the spring of 2020.

[lapucelle]

10. Policy page from the Biden/Harris website

The Biden Plan for Strengthening Worker Organizing, Collective Bargaining, and Unions

ENSURE THAT ALL WORKERS ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RECEIVE THE PAY, BENEFITS, AND WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS THEY DESERVE

As president, Biden will ensure that workers receive the pay and dignity they deserve. He will:

Increase the federal minimum wage to $15. As Vice President, Biden helped get state and local laws increasing the minimum wage across the finish line – including in New York State – and has supported eliminating the tipped minimum wage. He firmly believes all Americans are owed a raise, and it’s well past time we increase the federal minimum wage to $15 across the country. This increase would include workers who aren’t currently earning the minimum wage, like the farmworkers who grow our food and domestic workers who care for our aging and sick and for those with disabilities. As president, Biden will also support indexing the minimum wage to the median hourly wage so that low-wage workers’ wages keep up with those of middle income workers.

https://joebiden.com/empowerworkers/

[lapucelle]

11. From the 2012 Democratic Party Platform.

2012...back when a progressive was someone who had voted for Teddy Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson.

Upon taking office, President Obama began the work of restoring an economy built to last that creates good jobs that pay well. Because the President and the Democratic Party believe in the right to organize and in supporting America's workers with strong labor laws, the President rolled back harmful labor policies designed to undermine collective bargaining rights. The President appointed members of the National Labor Relations Board and National Mediation Board who understand the importance of standing up for the rights of workers. He placed his bet on the American worker when he rescued the auto industry. His administration will continue its fight against the exploitative practice of employers fraudulently misclassifying workers as independent contractors or white-collar workers to evade taxes or deny them protections and overtime benefits. As new employment relationships evolve away from the traditional employee-employer model, we need to make sure our labor laws are modernized and keep pace with changes in our economy.

Democrats believe that the right to organize and collectively bargain is a fundamental American value; every American should have a voice on the job and a chance to negotiate for a fair day's pay after a hard day's work. We will continue to fight for the right of all workers to organize and join a union. Unions helped build the greatest middle class the world has ever known.

Their work resulted in the 40-hour workweek and weekends, paid leave and pensions, the minimum wage and health insurance, and Social Security and Medicare - the cornerstones of middle class security. We will fight for labor laws that provide a fair process for workers to choose union representation, that facilitate the collective bargaining process, and that strengthen remedies for violations of the law. We will fight for collective bargaining rights for police officers, nurses, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, teachers, and other public sector workers - jobs that are a proven path to the middle class for millions of Americans. We will continue to vigorously oppose “Right to Work” and “paycheck protection” efforts, and so-called “Save our Secret Ballot” measures whenever they are proposed.

We will raise the minimum wage, and index it to inflation. We believe in an America where people looking for work can find good jobs, where hard work pays, and where responsibility is rewarded. Our Occupational Safety and Health Administration will continue to adopt and enforce comprehensive safety standards. The first bill the President signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, we are committed to passing the Paycheck Fairness Act, and we will continue to battle Republican opposition to efforts to stop wage discrimination.

[JohnSJ]

14. +++

[brer cat]

19. +++ nt

[Beastly Boy]

12. I think "Biden echoes progressives" is a bit weak.

How about "Biden parrots progressives"?

Or "Biden defers to progressives"?

Or "Biden surrenders to progressives"?

Or "Biden worships progressives"?

Editorial silliness has no limits, does it?

[BeckyDem]

13. I've found the concern over the wording very entertaining myself.

[murielm99]

15. I would call it clarification rather than concern.

If we want Truthout, we can seek it out on our own.

[George II]

16. If it's mere wording, perhaps it should be worded more accurately by the writer from Truthout.