Black workers’ wages are finally rising after a decade of stagnation, according to an analysis by The New York Times.
The newspaper said median wage growth for black increased by 4.3% in December, compared to a 3.4% increase for whites.
However, the unemployment rate for blacks was 6.4% in December, compared to 2.9% for whites. And the median black worker is still earning 78 cents to the median white worker’s $1 each week.
The newspaper noted strong labor markets fuel urbanization and increase rents. It can make it more difficult for lower income minority families to get by.
Meanwhile, the Times said historically, gains made during periods of low unemployment have proved transitory for black workers.
But the newspaper pointed out there have been few examples in the past of a labor market as strong and as sustained as the current one.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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