Labor Day 2008: Rising Trend of the Working Poor in the Phoenix Metro

Labor Day 2008: Rising Trend of the Working Poor in the Phoenix Metro

For Immediate Release:
Contact:  Joseph Larios   (602)614-8706  

Phoenix, AZ- According to statistics released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and analyzed by researchers at the Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy (CASE), the majority of families in Phoenix MSA in poverty are working.  New poverty, income and employment statistics show that the Phoenix’s economy increasingly resembles a "tear-drop"- bulging at the bottom and growing narrow at the middle and top.

13% of Phoenix residents live at or below the poverty line in 2007, an increase of 32,514 from 2006.  Forty-four percent (44%) of impoverished adults in Phoenix are working full or part time.  Nearly one-third of Phoenix area residents live at 200% of the poverty line and qualify for government assistance.  (click here to access a copy of the full report) 

“Unfortunately, jobs available to Phoenix residents are low wage, low quality jobs that force families to live paycheck-to-paycheck.  These jobs shift the burden of care from employers onto the public.” says Rachel Sulkes, Executive Director of CASE.  
 
Low-wage jobs are growing.  The total number of jobs in Phoenix MSA increased by 15% from 2000-2006, increasing the low wage job sector dramatically.   Job occupations, such as retail salespersons grew by 35% and customer service reps grew by an astounding 73%.   

“Good jobs with health benefits and pensions promote a good quality of life amongst our residents.  However, many jobs in our local communities are not providing a standard of living that even comes close to meeting the Federal Poverty Level.  What troubles me is the fact that many of the people and families that are living under the poverty level are not unemployed.” Dave Siebert, former Phoenix Vice Mayor

91,697 (9.5%) Phoenix families live in poverty.  Single mothers with children make up the largest proportion of families in poverty at 32.5%. 

“The key in assuring that our youth will succeed is investment in education and access to high quality jobs.  A decade ago, Motorola was the largest private employer in Arizona; today, it is Wal-Mart. The city of Phoenix needs to attract private employers that bring in high quality jobs to our city.”  Michael Nowakowski, District 8 Phoenix City Council

 
This Labor Day weekend, CASE and other advocates are calling for a renewed focus by policy makers on creating good quality jobs that can support families.  

Advocates are also partnering with area congregations concerned with combating poverty over the Labor Day weekend through events such as Interfaith Worker Justice’s annual “Labor in the Pulpit.”