Downward mobility
A series on the struggling promise of upward mobility and the economic stagnation of the American workforce
The American dream? Top 20% pulling away from the rest, study finds
Economics professor Richard Reeves says the upper middle are ‘opportunity hoarding’ – and pulling up the drawbridge behind them
When General Electric jobs left Schenectady so did a way of life
General Electric once employed about 30,000 people in the upstate New York city but decades of downsizing have eroded job security and transformed lives
The Great Recession: are you better off now than in 2008?
The US is in the middle of the longest streak of job creation on record – and yet it doesn’t feel that way to many Americans. Share your recovery story with us
Eight years after the Great Recession, recovery still rings hollow
Eight years after the Great Recessions, the White House claims the economic recovery is here. But many aren’t feeling it. Here, five people reflect on how their lives have changed
Far from middle class: why JPMorgan's wage hike is not worth celebrating
Jamie Dimon announced a gradual pay increase for some of his 18,000 employees. But some argue bank tellers deserve much more
What does California's new minimum wage buy? A long commute and a room
California will be the first state to adopt a $15 minimum wage, but for residents exiled to the Bay Area’s fringes by impossible rents, it may not make a difference
Uptown food pantry brings Thanksgiving feast to New York's poorest
While some New Yorkers kick off holiday season with decadent meals and festive celebrations, others struggle to afford food at all
How opponents of raising minimum wage pit workers against each another
In a new American class war, it’s white- and blue-collar workers versus the working poor. That’s great for those who want to keep the minimum wage low
Census data shows Obamacare and welfare kept millions out of poverty
The number of uninsured Americans decreased by 8.8 million in 2014, according to poverty measure data released by the US Census bureau
American wages remain at 1997 levels as recovery fails to lift middle class
Occupy Wall Street: four years later
'Dr Evil' says a $15 minimum wage will create high school dropouts
A new billboard campaign implies that $15 an hour for fast-food workers would undermine the value of higher education
New York state fast food workers celebrate $15 minimum wage victory
Fast Food Wage Board appointed by governor Andrew Cuomo announces plan which has city’s fast food workers on track to see same wage increase by 2018
‘Troubling’ report finds growing number of US children living in poverty
Economic recovery hasn’t helped many families return to pre-2008 recession security, and the number of children growing up in poverty is steadily increasing
Fact-checking Jeb Bush: If Americans work more hours, economy will grow
The Republican presidential candidate says that people need to work longer hours to earn more – but labor statistics show that’s easier said than done
Too damn high: Manhattan average apartment prices reach record of $1.87m
Trend of renting over buying driving up real estate prices by 11% from 2014, as 99% of borough’s apartments and homes available for rent are occupied
Class of 2015: women are still making less than men – and prospects are poor
Young female college graduates are expected to make $3 less an hour than male counterparts – and all this year’s graduates face a struggle for good jobs, report finds
Unlike Gwyneth Paltrow, millennials understand the reality of food stamps
With tuition rising and unpaid internships increasingly the norm, many recent graduates are eligible for assistance and despite the stigma, some are taking it
Dear Gwyneth, this is what living on food stamps really looks like
To really walk in the shoes of low-income Americans, Gwyneth Paltrow would have to shop at a dollar store and eat processed food
Wages stuck in a rut as recovery rings hollow for America's middle class
‘No one who works hard in a full-time job should have to live in poverty’ says the senator trying to raise the federal minimum wage. But that is the reality facing many Americans
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