More than half of Americans surveyed say their family income is falling behind the cost of living, and another third say they are just keeping up with higher living costs, a poll commissioned by the AFL-CIO says.
The survey released Tuesday reported that just 11 percent of respondents -- concentrated among families with annual income of $75,000 or more -- consider their family income to be rising faster than the cost of living. Women, non-college graduates, and rural or small-town residents were more pessimistic about keeping pace with costs than men, college graduates and city dwellers.
Among the 53 percent of workers who said their incomes were falling behind, fewer than a third reported doing better than their parents at the same point in life.
Even most workers under 35 -- who often have a rosier view of their economic prospects than middle-aged or older workers -- said they were worried rather than hopeful.
"Many commentators talk up the fact that our economy is finally adding jobs -- and seem mystified that Americans say the country is on the wrong track," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a conference call with reporters.
"But the more important fact is that working families are in a deep and growing economic crisis -- and they know it, even if the Washington and Wall Street crowd doesn't."
Pollster Guy Molyneux said the disconnect is evident in responses to a question about who could be trusted to look after the economic interests of working people. A majority of people responded: Neither Republicans nor Democrats in Congress, nor President Bush.
Employers fared no better. Only 32 percent of workers said they trusted companies to treat employees fairly.
The cost of health care topped the list of economic worries. Fifty percent of workers said they worry very or somewhat often about not being able to afford health care.
Seventy-three percent said establishing a national health care system should be a top or high priority for Congress and the president, up from 68 percent in 1999, a shift Molyneux said could be statistically insignificant. The AFL-CIO supports legislation requiring companies with more than 50 employees to provide health insurance.
Concern about locating good jobs is high, the poll found. Sixty-nine percent said most new jobs are low-paying and without benefits, up from 56 percent in 1999.
Also, 63 percent said they think it's hard to find good jobs and financial security today even if you have a college degree. Only 31 percent believed a college degree and hard work would lead to a good job.
The telephone survey was conducted Aug. 12 to 17 by Peter D. Hart Research Associates Inc. It polled 805 working Americans and has a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
To reach Alison Grant:
[email protected], 216-999-4758Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
