Author: Andy Hirschfeld
Published on: 22/10/2026 | 00:00:00

AI Summary:
Stacy Eichel, an empty nester in Florida, spent years balancing two jobs. One was in healthcare; the other was her own venture. It was the kind of business that thrived when companies had a little extra to spend on small branded trinkets to make an otherwise mundane corporate conference something memorable. U-6 is a broader measure of unemployment and underemployment. It stands at an elevated 7.6 percent. The U-6 measure includes people who are working part-time because they cannot find full-time jobs. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that the cost of living was the most important issue for voters, leading the next-closest issue by a double-digit margin. This is the first time in 12 years that Democrats have held an advantage on the issue. 44 percent of Americans said they had struggled to pay for at least one basic necessity. The average price for a gallon of gasoline (3.78 litres) on Monday was $4.29, according to the American Automobile Association. By comparison, the average price was $2.98 when the US and Israel first struck Iran in late February, leading to ongoing disruptions in the global market. Employers are pulling back on hiring even as layoffs remain relatively low. People who are already employed may have less leverage to negotiate better salaries. That can make it harder for workers to improve their financial situations as everyday expenses continue to rise. In a so-called K-shaped economy, wealthier US consumers continue to prosper. Conference Board's consumer confidence report found higher-income households are more optimistic than those in other income brackets. "Ahead of the midterms, policymakers and employers should be examining not simply how many Americans are working, but whether available employment provides adequate wages, sufficient hours, predictable schedules, benefits and genuine opportunities for advancement," Furiani, the workforce strategist.

Original: 1599 words
Summary: 294 words
Percent reduction: 81.61%

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