MyPath Mahoning Valley attended a panel hosted by Thrive Mahoning Valley, in collaboration with the YSU Center for Working Class Studies, at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. The panel discussed the current job climate in the Mahoning Valley, Ohio, and the United States as a whole. It featured prominent community figures such as Genna Petrolla, Dr. AJ Sumell, Grace Huffman, and moderator Dr. Tim Francisco.

The panel highlighted the alarmingly low median income in the Mahoning Valley, which stands at $55,576 annually, compared to Ohio’s state average of $73,770. They noted that the higher earners in the area are likely skewing the average income upward, which may be further depressing the median income for the general population. As a result, the Mahoning Valley ranks in the lowest percentile for median income among metropolitan areas.

Additionally, Genna Petrolla shared the results of a job availability survey conducted in the region. The survey found a 1:1 ratio of available jobs to people with a degree or certificate. However, for those without post-secondary education, job opportunities were significantly scarcer. The panel further explained that many jobs available to this demographic do not provide sustainable wages, forcing workers to rely on public assistance to support their households. This discrepancy is reflected in the region’s unemployment rate, which stands at 6.3%—2% higher than the national average of 4.3%.

The discussion then turned to the evolution of workplace demographics and ongoing issues of discrimination. Grace Huffman offered a historical overview of how the 40-hour workweek left behind demographics of women and minorities, many of whom worked in agricultural or domestic jobs. She attributed this to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which, under pressure from Southern lawmakers, excluded these groups from protections to avoid paying fair wages or ensuring safe working conditions. Huffman emphasized that, although some reforms were introduced in 1974, the gender and racial pay gap persists today, with women consistently earning less than men, and women of color earning even less.

The panel also discussed how the failure to address these systemic issues has led to grassroots initiatives. Examples include Tri-care, a program in Michigan that subsidizes childcare for those who do not qualify for state childcare credits, and the Pay Inequity Law being passed in Cleveland. Both initiatives were emphasized as critical, with the panel noting that federal reforms and external funding should not drive these changes, but rather, they should be preceded by local involvement.

The topic of unions was brought up next. Despite support for unions among younger generations—over 70%—the panel noted that union membership has been declining throughout Ohio. The panel agreed that this decline is partially due to SB1, which limits the power of federal workers’ unions, as well as the productivity reports published since the 1980s, which show that productivity has increased by 87.3%, while wages have only risen by 32.7%.

The evening concluded with a roundtable discussion, where participants from various organizations and community groups shared questions and insights. The conversation centered around increasing public involvement and mirroring successful campaigns to push for meaningful change. 

If you’d like to follow future events from Thrive Mahoning Valley visit their website at https://www.thrivemv.org/