Chairman Scott Statement on April Jobs Report
WASHINGTON – Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 263,000 jobs in April and the hourly wage growth fell back to 3.2 percent.
“Today’s jobs report continues to show that the economy is not working for everyone. Despite strong overall job growth and record increases in worker productivity, four in 10 American households cannot afford basics like food, housing, and health care. And for those working at the federal minimum wage, there is nowhere in the nation that they can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.
“Labor unions are one of the most powerful forces for reducing income inequality and improving the standard of living for workers and their families. A recent study revealed that over the last eight decades, unions have consistently provided workers with a 10- to 20-percent wage boost over their non-union counterparts.
“Yesterday, House and Senate Democrats unveiled the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act—comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for workers’ right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Protecting workers’ freedom to stand together is a critical step toward rebuilding the middle class and expanding economic security to millions of workers and their families.
“Additionally, the Raise the Wage Act, which would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024 was reported to the House floor by the Committee on Education and Labor last month. Action needs to be taken on these two bills for all Americans to enjoy the benefits of a growing economy.”
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