North Star Policy Action research director Aaron Rosenthal told the City Council policy committee that rising prices—fuel, health care and tariffs—combined with a softer labor market have left median wages largely unchanged, widening affordability gaps in Ramsey County.

Staff recounted multi‑year county efforts that raised entry hourly wages from about $11.80 to roughly $17.75 and bus driver pay above $20/hour; board requested a 1–2 page summary for public communication and for spring budget planning.

Cynthia Hogan told listeners that Question 5 proposes a state revenue limit calculated from the prior year's net revenue increased by average wage and salary growth, and that any excess revenue would be refunded to taxpayers the following year.

Combination of strong nominal wage growth and low inflation continues to lift household purchasing power.

Wages in construction are rising as the market recovers from the flood of cheap, subsidized migrant labor, says the Wall Street Journal.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that private sector wages increased by 2.9 per cent in the three months to July.

In August, consumer prices rose 3.4% over the past year while wages increased just 3.1%.

In August, consumer prices rose 3.4% over the past year while wages increased just 3.1%.

A recent report by Automatic Data Processing (ADP) reveals that Canadians switching jobs are experiencing higher wage growth compared to those staying in their current roles. In August, job changers saw a 5.6% year-over-year increase in base pay, up from 5% in July, while job stayers only recorded a 3% boost. Gross pay for switchers surged 9.6%, versus 4.4% for stayers. This trend highlights a tighter Canadian labour market compared to the U.S., where switcher premiums were lower at 2.2%. ADP economist Nela Richardson noted that while job mobility offers benefits, workers should ensure they have new roles secured before leaving. Sectors like hospitality, finance, and professional services showed stronger growth, with some roles offering pay increases of up to $10,000. However, wage disparities persist, with lower-income earners seeing slower growth. Experts suggest focusing on high-demand sectors for better opportunities amid a mixed job market outlook.

U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate held at 4.1%, according to the U.S. Bureau of

Borrowing costs continue to extend multi-decade highs as nerves over inflation, higher rates and high debt remain at the fore.

The CT Paid Leave Authority’s actuary reported July contributions raised FY26 earned contributions to $504.9M and reduced the reported net loss to $13.4M, but one of three statutory solvency metrics remains unmet (0.575:1). The board discussed drivers and asked for further analysis.

Actuarial figures presented to the Finance & Audit Committee showed quarterly claims payments moved from roughly $70–80M in 2022 to $120–136M recently, a near doubling that staff says is driven by higher incidence and wage growth and is a principal driver in forecasting higher future contribution needs.

Recent data highlights a significant disparity in wage growth between Australia and New Zealand, with Australian workers experiencing a 3.2% increase compared to New Zealand's 2% growth, despite inflation rates being similar. This gap has persisted since the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about income stagnation in New Zealand. The article explores how Australia's collective bargaining regulations, particularly the 'intractable bargaining' system, may contribute to this difference. Unlike New Zealand's strict requirements for compulsory arbitration, Australia's system allows the Fair Work Commission to intervene more easily when negotiations deadlock. This approach encourages more flexible wage settlements and reduces industrial disputes. The article suggests that New Zealand could benefit from adopting similar regulatory frameworks to improve bargaining outcomes and support workers' living standards. Key factors include the ease of accessing arbitration, the role of union-employer negotiations, and the impact of inflation on real wage growth. The analysis underscores the importance of regulatory reforms in addressing wage stagnation and fostering fair labor practices.

The article highlights the stark contrast between Australia's stagnant wage growth and the rising profits of major corporations. Despite claims that wages are not growing out of control and the labour market is not 'tight', data shows private-sector wage growth slowed to 0.7% in the June quarter, the lowest since 2021. This equates to an annual growth rate of just 2.8%, far below inflation. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised interest rates amid concerns about wage growth, even though private-sector wages were at their slowest in nearly six years. Public-sector wages kept overall growth steady at 3.2%, but every industry saw inflation outpace wage growth. Over 79% of wage adjustments in the June quarter were below 4% annually, indicating most agreements are in line with inflation rates under 3%. However, real wages have dropped to a point where, even with RBA forecasts, workers may see their wages in real terms equivalent to 17 years prior by 2028. The article argues that efforts to boost wages risk triggering further rate hikes, while corporate profits continue to rise, with no significant public response to this disparity.