President Biden recently asserted that real wages have surpassed pre-pandemic levels. However, blue-collar workers in Philadelphia shared mixed reactions to this claim during interviews with Fox News.
Several workers expressed skepticism, stating their income hasn't noticeably improved. Donny, one worker, simply said, "We’re still struggling. Wages could be better." Joe, a butcher shop employee, pointed to the rising cost of living, saying, "Everything's so high. Food is so expensive right now." He felt that any wage increases were negated by inflation. "I'm making a little more money, but I'm also paying more for everything," he explained. "So nothing's really changed."
Chauncey, a trucker, echoed this sentiment, stating he couldn't discern any real difference in his financial situation. "I just wake up every day and just do what I got to do," he remarked.
The president's claim, which he shared on Twitter, sparked debate. The platform flagged the tweet for containing a "factual error," noting that real wages, when accounting for inflation, were higher at the very start of the pandemic lockdowns, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. However, they were higher after the first COVID-19 cases were identified.
While some workers criticized Biden's economic policies, others offered a more positive perspective. William, a Philadelphia resident, believed job opportunities had increased under Biden's administration. "I'm glad that Biden did take over because there's more jobs opportunity now," he commented.
Valerie, another resident, felt that the economic challenges predated the current administration. "I don't feel like the president before him did anything, and he's not doing anything," she stated. "I feel like we're still in the same rut…we haven't moved forward."
The varying viewpoints highlight the complexities of the current economic landscape and its impact on working-class individuals.
