Civil Rights News: Poverty Rising Sharply in U.S.; Low Wages, Poor Working Conditions in California’s Warehouse Industry

Compiled by Madeline Peare, a Summer 2012 Leadership Conference Education Fund Intern

US Poverty on Track to Rise to Highest Since 1960s
Hope Yen
Associated Press

The poverty rate is expected to increase from 15.1 percent to as high as 15.7 percent, which would make the rate the highest it has been since 1965. To put this in perspective, it is estimated that last year, one in six people in the U.S. were in poverty. This is due not only to the current economic recession but also globalization, outsourcing, immigration, and less unionization.  Child poverty is projected to increase from its 22 percent level in 2010.

As California Warehouses Grow, Labor Issues Are a Concern
Jennifer Medina
The New York Times

The warehouse industry in Southern California’s Inland Empire region is expanding, creating many new jobs for low-skilled workers in an area that was strongly affected by the recession.  However, recently there have been numerous complaints about the industry with regards to workers’ rights. Two staffing agencies did not provide workers with the proper information regarding their wages. The advocacy group Warehouse Workers United has also filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging that workers worked long hours for inadequate pay below the minimum wage.