Waiting on the Barbarians

Here is some news from our American cousins that seems to put to rest that low wage earners are those without skills or that low wages are a result of a skills deficit.

First, this from the Economic Policy Institute:

 And then, this from Vice President Joe Biden:

Vice President Joe Biden defended the role of organized labor, saying opponents are mounting a long-term war to attack unions.

“These guys on the right — they know without you there — they call every shot,” Biden told more than 1,000 UAW members and retirees on the final day on its four-day annual political conference here. “You guys are the only guys keeping the barbarians at the gate.”

He criticized right-to-work laws approved in Michigan and Indiana. “Did you ever think you would see a day when right to work would pass in Michigan?” Biden said. “It’s not a right to work.”

He held up a chart that said the fall in unionization had been a factor in the decline in wages.

“You built the middle class. Labor built the middle class,” Biden said. “You never leave anybody behind — even when it costs you politically and when it doesn’t benefit you directly.”

From The Detroit News:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140205/AUTO01/302050081#ixzz2sZe5JkLk