First, the good news. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting the creation of 288,000 new jobs in April. This is about 63,000 more jobs than people were anticipating. As a result, the unemployment rate fell to 6.3%, the lowest rate since September, 2008.

Now, the bad news. Most of these new jobs are low-wage “McJobs.” According to the National Employment Law Project, there are nearly two million fewer jobs in mid- and higher-wage industries than there were before the recession took hold, while there are 1.85 million more jobs in lower-wage industries. This means that more Americans are working for pittance wages, in jobs where they are more likely to suffer from wage theft. Even worse, the difference between what CEOs make and what the average worker makes has skyrocketed. For example, the CEO of McDonald’s makes over $9,200 an hour, while the company advises its workers to apply for food stamps to help make ends meet.

This is why we need to raise the minimum wage (which Senate Republicans have blocked) and strictly enforce the laws against wage theft. That includes suing companies that steal wages from their workers.

***Blog Post written by Attorney Anthony Pantuso***