Blue-Collar Workers
In the U.S., blue-collar workers are defined by an hourly rate of pay and jobs that require manual labor. Blue-collar jobs range from cleaning and maintenance work to aircraft mechanics and construction. Most blue-collar jobs do not require formal education to perform the basic tasks. As a result, there is a fairly significant wage gap between blue- and white-collar workers.
On Oct. 10, 2016, Trump said, “I love blue-collar workers, and I consider myself in a certain way to be a blue-collar worker.” This, despite the vast discrepancy between his earnings, background, and resources and blue collar incomes and assets, and the fact that Trump has a long record of non-payment of blue collar subcontractors on his real estate and construction projects. Yet, white blue-collar workers flocked to his campaign.
This page will track how Trump’s actions and statements impact blue-collar workers.
Timeline
| 2014.06 | Employees at Trump hotel file complaint with National Labor Relations Board claiming they were physically assaulted as part of ongoing intimidate to get them to quit union. vegastravelalert.org (See also Trump Business) |
| 2016.01.31 | Trump says he relates to blue-collar workers, calls private jet "the ultimate bus." cnn.com |
| 2016.11.09 | U.S. labor unions are facing sweeping pro-business, anti-union policy changes under Trump. reuters.com (See also Department of Labor) |
| 2016.12.08 | Andrew Puzder is almost certain to approach his job as Labor secretary from the standpoint of an employer of low-wage workers, not as an advocate for those employees. latimes.com (See also Andrew Puzder, Jobs, Department of Labor) |
| 2016.12.08 | Carrier union president Chuck Jones: "Trump swore he'd save our jobs. He didn't." washingtonpost.com (See also Carrier Corporation Jobs Deal) |
| 2016.12.08 | Trump's pick for Labor Secretary is an outspoken critic of worker protections enacted by the Obama administration and minimum wage. nytimes.com (See also Andrew Puzder, Jobs, Department of Labor) |
| 2016.12.09 | National union leaders believe the Trump administration may be the gravest labor crisis in decades. chicagotribune.com (See also Department of Labor, Andrew Puzder) |
| 2016.12.22 | Trump will appoint members of the National Labor Relations Board, the agency that regulates labor practices at his hotels. npr.org (See also Conflicts of Interest, Trump Business) |
| 2017.01.10 | Two-thirds of female workers reported harassment at brands owned by CKE Restaurants, run by Trump's pick for Labor Secretary, Andrew Puzder. theguardian.com (See also Andrew Puzder, Department of Labor, Women) |
| 2017.01.13 | Contractors file liens on Trump International Hotel, claiming lack of payment. durangoherald.com |
| 2017.01.18 | Trump's proposed Labor Secretary Is blocking labor advocacy groups on Twitter. buzzfeed.com (See also Department of Labor, Andrew Puzder) |
| 2017.02.03 | Republicans are about to erase one of Obama's major workplace protections as the House votes to undo a rule that punishes federal contractors who cheat their workers. The Senate will likely follow suit. huffingtonpost.com (See also First 100 Days, Department of Labor) |
| 2017.12.05 | The Department of Labor proposed a rule change to its tip regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act, rescinding "portions of tip regulations” on restaurants, which would allow employers to pocket tips from their employees as long as those employees earn minimum wage. thetakeout.com (See also Department of Labor, Jobs) |
Assessments
- 2016.03.14 Trump says he'll bring jobs back to America. Economists are skeptical (PBS)
"His assault on trade deals—which in some ways echoes arguments of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders—seems to be winning politics. But Trump’s analysis of how trade hurts American workers is flawed, and as president, he would struggle to deliver on his promises." - 2016.03.14 Donald Trump is no ‘blue-collar billionaire’ (Sacramento Bee)
"Trump’s son calls him a “blue-collar billionaire.” But if he does make it to the White House, Trump will care much more about how to protect his own fortune—and those of the well-coiffed wealthy invited to his victory events at his luxury club in Palm Beach—than how to help working people make theirs."