The nation's disability rolls swelled during the Great Recession. But more disabled people are now finding work, and employers are more willing to make allowances, thanks to the tight job market.
For years after the Great Recession, employers were reluctant to boost wages. Now a tight labor market is giving workers the leverage they need to demand a larger slice of the nation's economic pie.
The economy added far fewer jobs than expected in February, a slowdown from much stronger gains in December and January. But the jobless rate fell to 3.8 percent, and earnings growth picked up.
Job growth picked up for the 100th consecutive month even as hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed during the partial government shutdown. Wage growth held steady.
The economy added 312,000 jobs in December — topping analysts' expectations of 180,000 jobs added. Unemployment climbed as more people felt confident enough to quit their jobs and look for new ones
The Labor Department's latest jobs report shows that average hourly earnings have risen by 2.8 percent since last year, outpacing inflation. Economists say that will boost consumer spending.
Farmworkers in South Texas marched 200 miles for better wages and working conditions. But the strike ultimately failed, and workers today face the same problem: growers who systematically underpay.
Congratulations to the Class of 2016! They are graduating into the best job market in a decade, especially for those with degrees in business, technology or engineering.