Economy

Economy

A new bill could reduce the fees shop owners are charged when customers swipe a card

8:23am September 24, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Retailers have long complained about so-called "swipe fees" on credit cards. And now there's a showdown in Congress that pits retailers against the credit card industry. What's at stake for shoppers?

UAW workers picket outside of the Stellantis Mopar parts facility in Naperville, Ill., on Sept. 22, 2023. The UAW strike against Big Three automakers may not have much of an impact on car shoppers, though that could change.

Economy

How the UAW strikes could impact car shoppers

6:00am September 23, 2023

by Camila Domonoske

Historic as the UAW strikes may be, analysts say the actions are unlikely to impact car prices too much — for now. A new strike on parts distribution centers, however, could sting.

The United Auto Workers strike expands to more facilities

4:30pm September 22, 2023

by Camila Domonoske

On Friday, the UAW announced strikes at 38 more GM and Stellantis locations, specifically parts distribution centers. But citing progress in talks with Ford, that company's warehouses will stay open.

Autoworkers at Mercedes plant in Vance, Ala., assemble an all-electric SUV.

Economy

Here's one potential winner from the UAW strike: Non-union auto workers in the South

5:00am September 22, 2023

by Stephan Bisaha

If the UAW strike leads to a win for the union, southern auto workers believe that will lead to a pay up at plants like Nissan and Mercedes.

Fast approaching UAW strike deadline could expand walkouts to more auto plants

4:57pm September 21, 2023

by Danielle Kaye

Driving the UAW's tough stance in negotiations with the Big Three automakers is the sense that the union is owed a long-overdue redressal for all the concessions workers made in 2007.

Queue Listen Now

Builders are finding ways to keep home prices in reach despite high interest rates

4:57pm September 21, 2023

by Scott Horsley

Mortgage rates above 7% are weighing on the housing market. But some builders and buyers are finding workarounds. In some cases, that means choosing a little less space.

Are you saving enough for college? Here's what to know

8:41am September 21, 2023

by Cory Turner

As the cost of college continues to rise, families have new questions about how to save up. For answers, we turned to Ron Lieber, author of The Price You Pay For College.

UAW strike may be pivotal to raise workers' living standards, Sen. Sanders says

5:13am September 21, 2023

NPR's A Martinez talks to Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who supports the UAW's strike as a fight for fair wages, but also against growing inequality and corporate greed.

Economy

How the UAW strike represents the larger problem of a shrinking middle class

5:13am September 21, 2023

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to David Wessel of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution, about headwinds middle-class Americans face as UAW workers and others aim to narrow economic disparity.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2023.

Economy

The Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady but hints at more action this year

5:37pm September 20, 2023

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, despite stubborn inflation, although it left the door open to an additional rate hike in November or December.