Marketplace All-in-One Flat pay raises are a sign o' the times
Aug 19, 2025
Sabri Beneshore, a reporter for Marketplace, shares insights on the shift to flat pay raises at companies like Starbucks, highlighting their cost-effectiveness in tough economic times. They discuss how this change impacts workers and contrasts with merit-based systems. The conversation also touches on China's expanding trade relationships with developing countries, and how U.S. tariffs are reshaping global supply chains. Lastly, there's a look at the low sentiment in the housing market amid all these economic shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China Filling The Trade Vacuum
- China is deepening trade and investment ties with developing countries as U.S. tariffs push partners away.
- That shift expands China's economic influence and reduces U.S. leverage on global issues.
Why Firms Choose Flat Raises
- Companies shift from merit raises to flat raises to save time and money on performance reviews.
- A flat 2% raise can be cheaper than average private sector wage growth and reduces administrative burden.
Plattsburgh Traveler Story
- Ray Torres described how Plattsburgh's Essential Air Service made visiting family far easier than driving to Burlington.
- The subsidized daily flights connect the rural region to major hubs and boost local spending.