8 Ways the Biden Administration Is Improving the Lives of Service Workers ArticleApr 9, 2024 8 Ways the Biden Administration Is Improving the Lives of Service Workers The Biden administration is raising pay, building power, and improving living standards for service workers across the economy—including fast-food cooks, call center workers, teachers, home care workers, and federal employees. Apr 9, 2024 Karla Walter
It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains In the NewsMar 25, 2024 It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains Karla Walter writes in Route Fifty about the need for policymakers to build on the Biden administration’s historic federal infrastructure investments, arguing that one of the best ways to cement these workforce gains is for local jurisdictions to strengthen their job quality standards. Mar 25, 2024 Route Fifty Karla Walter
Summit on Education: Reset. Reframe. Reform. Past EventMar 20, 2024 Summit on Education: Reset. Reframe. Reform. Mar 20, 2024
President Biden Should Veto Anti-Worker Lawmakers’ Attack on Union Rights ArticleFeb 8, 2024 President Biden Should Veto Anti-Worker Lawmakers’ Attack on Union Rights The Biden administration is fighting to protect fast food and outsourced workers’ right to come together in unions—and shouldn’t let anti-worker lawmakers undermine these efforts. Feb 8, 2024 Karla Walter
Government on Workers’ Side ReportJan 31, 2024 Government on Workers’ Side State and local policymakers can raise standards for workers and the public through prevailing wages, project labor agreements, and several other best practices. Jan 31, 2024 Karla Walter
Workers Want Unions: How States Have Strengthened Worker Power in 2023 ArticleNov 1, 2023 Workers Want Unions: How States Have Strengthened Worker Power in 2023 States are taking action to strengthen workers’ ability to unionize and collectively bargain as well as raise job standards. Nov 1, 2023 Isabela Salas-Betsch, Karla Walter
Point: Strong Prevailing Wage Standards Help Grow the Economy In the NewsOct 19, 2023 Point: Strong Prevailing Wage Standards Help Grow the Economy In an InsideSources op-ed, Karla Walter argues why the Biden administration’s support of prevailing wage standards will help grow the middle class. Oct 19, 2023 InsideSources Karla Walter
5 Reasons Automakers Must Provide Good Jobs and Lower Vehicle Emissions ArticleSep 12, 2023 5 Reasons Automakers Must Provide Good Jobs and Lower Vehicle Emissions In the face of demands for better jobs and stronger health protections, some automakers claim they can’t improve job quality and lower vehicle emissions—but they have the resources to support middle-class-led economic growth and clean up their vehicle fleets. Sep 12, 2023 Leo Banks, Karla Walter, Anona Neal
How Project Labor Agreements and Community Workforce Agreements Are Good for the Biden Administration’s Investment Agenda ReportJul 21, 2023 How Project Labor Agreements and Community Workforce Agreements Are Good for the Biden Administration’s Investment Agenda Project labor agreements and community workforce agreements are time-tested tools that can support good value and good jobs on projects funded by the new federal economic investments. Jul 21, 2023 Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
4 Job Quality Questions All Applicants for New Federal Funds Should Answer ReportJun 20, 2023 4 Job Quality Questions All Applicants for New Federal Funds Should Answer States, cities, and private sector applicants can improve their chances of winning new federal support through the Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and CHIPS and Science Act by demonstrating that their proposals will create good jobs for working people from all walks of life. Jun 20, 2023 Karla Walter
Public and Private Investments Are Poised To Transform Michigan ReportJun 15, 2023 Public and Private Investments Are Poised To Transform Michigan The historic home of the automotive industry, Michigan, stands to benefit from major infrastructure improvements and new plants for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, especially if it incorporates public input and builds worker power to grow the middle class. Jun 15, 2023 David Ballard, Lily Roberts, Marina Zhavoronkova, 4 More Kevin DeGood, Emily Gee, Jessica Vela, Karla Walter
How States and Unions Can Partner To Build the Public Sector Workforce ReportMar 23, 2023 How States and Unions Can Partner To Build the Public Sector Workforce Partnering with unions to train public sector workers helps states uphold high-quality standards; connect with and recruit from local communities; and address the nation’s public sector hiring challenges. Mar 23, 2023 Karla Walter
5 Policy Priorities for the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization ArticleMar 20, 2023 5 Policy Priorities for the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization The reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration programs should provide dedicated funding for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes and airports, an increase in the Passenger Facility Charge, and decent wages and benefits for airport service workers. Mar 20, 2023 Kevin DeGood, Karla Walter
Airport Service Workers Deserve Good Jobs ReportMar 7, 2023 Airport Service Workers Deserve Good Jobs Raising pay and benefits for workers in federally supported airports will stabilize the air industry. Mar 7, 2023 Karla Walter, Aurelia Glass
How To Support Good Jobs and Workforce Equity on Federal Infrastructure Projects ReportMar 6, 2023 How To Support Good Jobs and Workforce Equity on Federal Infrastructure Projects As funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act flow through federal and state project owners, agencies must build long-lasting capacity to provide equitable access to high-quality jobs. Mar 6, 2023 Marina Zhavoronkova, Karla Walter
How historic infrastructure investments can benefit women workers In the NewsFeb 21, 2023 How historic infrastructure investments can benefit women workers Karla Walter partnered with Sharita Gruberg to break down the potential long-lasting benefits for women in manufacturing due to President Joe Biden's historic economic legislation. Feb 21, 2023 The Hill Sharita Gruberg, Karla Walter
How Biden’s American-Style Industrial Policy Will Create Quality Jobs ArticleOct 27, 2022 How Biden’s American-Style Industrial Policy Will Create Quality Jobs The Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are key pillars of a transformative industrial policy platform. Oct 27, 2022 Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
Prevailing Wages Can Build Good Jobs Into America’s Electric Vehicle Industry ReportJul 6, 2022 Prevailing Wages Can Build Good Jobs Into America’s Electric Vehicle Industry By instituting prevailing wage policies, policymakers can ensure that the jobs they subsidize in one of America's newest industries offer fair wages and benefits. Jul 6, 2022 Aurelia Glass, David Madland, Karla Walter
4 Strategies to Create Good Jobs, Boost Equity With Federal Infrastructure Funds In the NewsJun 16, 2022 4 Strategies to Create Good Jobs, Boost Equity With Federal Infrastructure Funds Karla Walter outlines four strategies for states to ensure new federal infrastructure funds from the IIJA create good jobs and boost equity in local communities. Jun 16, 2022 Route Fifty Karla Walter
Proven State and Local Strategies To Create Good Jobs With IIJA Infrastructure Funds ReportMay 31, 2022 Proven State and Local Strategies To Create Good Jobs With IIJA Infrastructure Funds This report outlines four proven ways to ensure that new federal infrastructure investments create good jobs, boost equity, and support good value. May 31, 2022 Karla Walter
When contractors pay bad wages, the public shoulders the burden In the NewsApr 24, 2022 When contractors pay bad wages, the public shoulders the burden Karla Walter highlights how new regulations governing the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts will ensure that workers on construction projects receiving federal funding are paid fairly. Apr 24, 2022 The Hill Karla Walter
New Opportunities for the Biden-Harris Administration To Create Good Jobs for LGBTQI+ Workers ReportApr 8, 2022 New Opportunities for the Biden-Harris Administration To Create Good Jobs for LGBTQI+ Workers For decades, the U.S. economy has left LGBTQI+ individuals and their families behind, but the Biden-Harris administration can use its existing authority to uplift LGBTQI+ workers. Apr 8, 2022 Aurelia Glass, Sharita Gruberg, Caroline Medina, 1 More Karla Walter
Congress must deliver on bipartisan infrastructure promises to workers with these two steps In the NewsJan 31, 2022 Congress must deliver on bipartisan infrastructure promises to workers with these two steps Karla Walter writes about how Congress can create good infrastructure jobs for American workers. Jan 31, 2022 The Hill Karla Walter
Federal Contractors Are Violating Workers’ Rights and Harming the U.S. Government ReportJan 21, 2022 Federal Contractors Are Violating Workers’ Rights and Harming the U.S. Government New analysis from the Center for American Progress Action Fund finds that government contractors that break workplace laws frequently perform poorly and waste public resources. Jan 21, 2022 the Center for American Progress Action Fund Karla Walter, Divya Vijay, Malkie Wall
Raising Wages and Narrowing Pay Gaps With Service Sector Prevailing Wage Laws ReportJan 19, 2022 Raising Wages and Narrowing Pay Gaps With Service Sector Prevailing Wage Laws Prevailing wage laws for government service contracts can uplift wages and benefits; reduce racial pay gaps; and could have a range of positive effects on worker turnover, service quality, local budgets, and collective bargaining. Jan 19, 2022 Aurelia Glass, David Madland, Karla Walter
3 Major Wins for Workers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package ArticleNov 29, 2021 3 Major Wins for Workers in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create pathways for all Americans into U.S.-based jobs that pay decent wages and benefits. Nov 29, 2021 Karla Walter, Mike Williams
Video: How Unions Help Increase Wealth for All and Close Racial Wealth Gaps VideoSep 7, 2021 Video: How Unions Help Increase Wealth for All and Close Racial Wealth Gaps Unions help narrow the gap between working families and the superrich. Sep 7, 2021 Aurelia Glass, David Madland, Christian E. Weller, 4 More Karla Walter, Divya Vijay, Hai-Lam Phan, Jasmine Hardy
How the U.S. Government Should Enforce Prevailing Wage Standards in All of Its Spending ArticleAug 9, 2021 How the U.S. Government Should Enforce Prevailing Wage Standards in All of Its Spending As lawmakers debate economic recovery investments, they must ensure that all companies receiving government funding comply with job quality standards. Aug 9, 2021 CAP Action Karla Walter, David Madland, Malkie Wall
The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized ReportJul 7, 2021 The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized State and local progress can inform federal action to support high-quality, union jobs building the clean economy. Jul 7, 2021 Rita Cliffton, Malkie Wall, Sam Ricketts, 3 More Kevin Lee, Jessica Eckdish, Karla Walter
Higher Pay For Caregivers In the NewsJun 28, 2021 Higher Pay For Caregivers Karla Walter explores how higher home care wages reduce economic hardship and improve recruitment and retention. Jun 28, 2021 SEIU 775 SEIU 775, Karla Walter
Service Contract Workers Deserve Good Jobs ArticleApr 9, 2021 Service Contract Workers Deserve Good Jobs President Biden is using his executive authority to build power and improve the lives of contract workers; he can do even more to raise standards for service workers. Apr 9, 2021 CAP Action Karla Walter, Anastasia Christman
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Investments Must Benefit American Workers ReportFeb 3, 2021 COVID-19 Economic Recovery Investments Must Benefit American Workers Policymakers can ensure that economic recovery spending benefits working Americans from all walks of life by adopting model job quality language. Feb 3, 2021 Karla Walter
Prevailing Wages: Frequently Asked Questions ReportDec 22, 2020 Prevailing Wages: Frequently Asked Questions Policymakers can use prevailing wages to set strong compensation rates across industries and occupations, benefitting workers and taxpayers alike. Dec 22, 2020 Malkie Wall, David Madland, Karla Walter
A How-To Guide for Strengthening State and Local Prevailing Wage Laws ReportDec 22, 2020 A How-To Guide for Strengthening State and Local Prevailing Wage Laws This report provides a road map for state and local policymakers working to create or strengthen prevailing wage laws, explains core features of prevailing wage legislation, and lifts up existing best practices from around the county. Dec 22, 2020 Karla Walter, Malkie Wall, Alex Rowell
Federal Contracting Doesn’t Go Far Enough To Protect American Workers ArticleNov 19, 2020 Federal Contracting Doesn’t Go Far Enough To Protect American Workers Author Karla Walter explains how the Biden administration can fix problems in the federal contracting system. Nov 19, 2020 CAP Action Karla Walter
Electric Vehicles Should Be a Win for American Workers ReportSep 23, 2020 Electric Vehicles Should Be a Win for American Workers Federal policymakers must invest in domestic electric vehicle production and deployment now in order to support high-quality American jobs, cut greenhouse gas emissions over the long term, and ensure national competitiveness in a key area of growth. Sep 23, 2020 Karla Walter, Trevor Higgins, Bidisha Bhattacharyya, 2 More Malkie Wall, Rita Cliffton
Getting Americans Back to Work and Good Jobs ReportJun 29, 2020 Getting Americans Back to Work and Good Jobs Key steps must be taken to ensure that pandemic-response infrastructure investments create high-quality jobs for all working Americans. Jun 29, 2020 Karla Walter
Making Worker Protections Real During the Coronavirus Pandemic ArticleApr 7, 2020 Making Worker Protections Real During the Coronavirus Pandemic Four key enforcement strategies will help ensure workers benefit from coronavirus relief measures. Apr 7, 2020 Karla Walter
Workers who risk their lives to run others’ errands should have basic benefits: Personal protection, a minimum wage, health insurance and more In the NewsApr 2, 2020 Workers who risk their lives to run others’ errands should have basic benefits: Personal protection, a minimum wage, health insurance and more Authors Allison Preiss and Karla Walter explain how cities and states can protect gig-economy workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Apr 2, 2020 MarketWatch Karla Walter
Quality Workforce Partnerships ReportApr 1, 2020 Quality Workforce Partnerships Key features of two quality workforce partnerships offer lessons on how workforce intermediaries and employers can design mutually beneficial relationships that connect working Americans—across racial and gender lines—to good jobs in the 21st century. Apr 1, 2020 Livia Lam, Karla Walter
Building Workers’ Wealth in Cities and States ReportJan 20, 2020 Building Workers’ Wealth in Cities and States City and state policymakers across ideological divides can help raise standards for workers and boost sustainable economic growth by supporting employee ownership and broad-based profit-sharing. Jan 20, 2020 Karla Walter
City apprenticeship program raises standards for workers and taxpayers In the NewsNov 5, 2019 City apprenticeship program raises standards for workers and taxpayers Jennifer Grøndahl and Karla Walter discuss how Phoenix's new apprenticeship program is solving the city's increasing demand for work related to government services. Nov 5, 2019 Arizona Mirror Jennifer Grøndahl, Karla Walter
Public Sector Training Partnerships Build Power ReportOct 3, 2019 Public Sector Training Partnerships Build Power Public sector training partnerships raise standards for workers and taxpayers—and they strengthen unions at the same time. Oct 3, 2019 Karla Walter
Bipartisan legislation would let fast-food companies off the hook for harming workers In the NewsSep 16, 2019 Bipartisan legislation would let fast-food companies off the hook for harming workers Karla Walter outlines the potentially harmful effects of a bipartisan bill that would gut worker protections for employees in the fast-food industry. Sep 16, 2019 MarketWatch Karla Walter
Forced Arbitration: What You Need To Know VideoMay 6, 2019 Forced Arbitration: What You Need To Know Forced arbitration agreements make it harder for workers and consumers to challenge predatory practices, wage theft, and discrimination. May 6, 2019 Carleigh Newland, Kurt Mueller, Malkie Wall, 2 More Karla Walter, Andy Green
Infrastructure Investment Must Create Good Jobs for All ReportApr 22, 2019 Infrastructure Investment Must Create Good Jobs for All Federal lawmakers can support America’s 21st-century competitiveness by ensuring that any federal infrastructure plan invests in good jobs. Apr 22, 2019 Karla Walter
American Workers Need Unions: 3 Steps to Strengthen the Federal Labor Law System ArticleApr 2, 2019 American Workers Need Unions: 3 Steps to Strengthen the Federal Labor Law System Karla Walter and David Madland explain how federal lawmakers can reverse the decadeslong trend of declining unionization rates. Apr 2, 2019 CAP Action Karla Walter, David Madland
States Must Act to Protect Workers From Exploitative Noncompete and No-Poach Agreements ArticleApr 2, 2019 States Must Act to Protect Workers From Exploitative Noncompete and No-Poach Agreements State lawmakers can boost wages and encourage entrepreneurship by restricting noncompete and no-poaching agreements. Apr 2, 2019 Karla Walter