Early in Barack Obama’s recent Netflix documentary series about American jobs, viewers meet a housekeeper at the Pierre Hotel in New York named Elba. Elba is meant to be a symbol of difficult service-industry work in today’s economy. “I don’t worry too much about money,” said Elba, who recently became a grandmother, “because I know I can count on my paycheck.”Many other service workers earn far less. Full-time Starbucks baristas in New York City often earn less than $35,000 a year, while many Walmart employees make even less. Across New York City, the median household income is about $75,000 — which is less than Elba and Francisco make.

---

Persons: Barack Obama’s, Elba, Francisco, Pierre Hotel’s, ” Organizations: Netflix, Pierre, Walmart Locations: New York, Elba, New York City, Francisco