blue-collar workers

Democrats are working to regain the support of blue-collar workers in Pennsylvania ahead of the midterm elections. Stu Shaw, a volunteer at the Choice food pantry operated by New Bethany, assisted a customer with selecting groceries in Bethlehem.

Big Tech companies are investing billions in AI data centers across the U.S., creating temporary blue-collar jobs while depleting local resources and risking job replacement through automation. These efforts primarily benefit a small group of tech executives.

Blue-collar wage growth in China has outpaced white-collar wages for six consecutive years, driven by a booming gig economy with over 300 million people in flexible employment. Food delivery drivers saw annual income growth exceeding 10% from 2023 to 2025, while stagnant white-collar wages and labor market strains were highlighted by a shepherd job in Inner Mongolia attracting 10% recent college graduates among applicants.

The surge in U.S. data center construction is increasing demand for blue-collar workers, though economists predict these jobs will be largely temporary. The rush to build infrastructure highlights a short-term labor boom in the sector.

Sen. Bernie Sanders and labor leaders warned about AI's potential to displace both blue-collar and white-collar workers. Sanders is advocating for a moratorium on data center construction to address these risks.