How Market-Based Sectoral Pay Standards Raise Wages and Improve Affordability ReportMay 5, 2026 How Market-Based Sectoral Pay Standards Raise Wages and Improve Affordability Policymakers can boost wages, improve affordability, and address public challenges by extending prevailing wage and other pay standards to the private sector. May 5, 2026 Karla Walter
The American Franchise Act Would Harm Workers and Small Businesses ArticleApril 29, 2026 The American Franchise Act Would Harm Workers and Small Businesses Federal lawmakers are debating a bill that would let corporate franchisors off the hook when they undermine workers’ rights and leave small franchisees solely liable for labor law violations. Apr 29, 2026 Karla Walter
6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership ReportApril 28, 2026 6 Policies Proved To Increase Union Membership Evidence shows that more workers join unions when policies support workplace organizing, access, sectoral bargaining, the Ghent system, and dues paying, and provide funding. Apr 28, 2026 David Madland
4 Things To Know About Sectoral Bargaining ArticleMarch 11, 2026 4 Things To Know About Sectoral Bargaining Sectoral bargaining strengthens worker voice, boosts pay and benefits, and supports a stronger middle class—and more of it can happen with the right policy changes. Mar 11, 2026 David Madland
Modeling the Impact of Sectoral Bargaining for U.S. Workers ReportMarch 3, 2026 Modeling the Impact of Sectoral Bargaining for U.S. Workers New statistical modeling suggests that sectoral bargaining could more than double collective bargaining coverage in the United States and generate big gains in union density. Mar 3, 2026 Jared Bernstein, Aurelia Glass, David Madland, 1 More Daniel Posthumus
Under Trump, workplace harassment can now go unpunished In the NewsJanuary 23, 2026 Under Trump, workplace harassment can now go unpunished In an op-ed published by Salon, Sara Estep and Haley Norris unpack the Trump administration’s attempts to roll back workplace anti-harassment protections, culminating in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission vote. Jan 23, 2026 Salon Sara Estep, Haley Norris
Virginia Workers’ Biggest Win in Decades Could Come in 2026 ReportJanuary 12, 2026 Virginia Workers’ Biggest Win in Decades Could Come in 2026 Virginia lawmakers can empower hundreds of thousands of state and local government workers to unionize and bargain collectively over wages, benefits, and working conditions. Doing so will help make work pay for Virginia families; allow state and local governments to attract and retain well-qualified workers; and align with the values of everyday Americans. Jan 12, 2026 Karla Walter
November’s Jobs Report Hints at Labor Market Weakness Ahead ArticleDecember 16, 2025 November’s Jobs Report Hints at Labor Market Weakness Ahead November’s jobs report, released today, showed signs of weakness—particularly among groups that often foreshadow broader labor-market cooling, such as workers of color and older workers. Dec 16, 2025 Sara Estep, Christian E. Weller
State and Local Policymakers Can Raise Standards and Build Power for Workers ReportDecember 10, 2025 State and Local Policymakers Can Raise Standards and Build Power for Workers States and cities can advance these 21 ideas in 2026 to build worker power, support unionized workers, and uphold workforce stability and standards. Dec 10, 2025 Karla Walter, David Madland
Union Trigger Laws 101: How States Can Protect Workers if Federal Labor Law Falls ReportNovember 19, 2025 Union Trigger Laws 101: How States Can Protect Workers if Federal Labor Law Falls Trump and conservative courts are threatening to end Americans’ right to unionize. Here is how cities and states can prepare if the National Labor Relations Act is struck down or ceases to be enforced. Nov 19, 2025 Karla Walter, David Madland
Low Standards Hurt Security Officers’ Ability To Make Ends Meet ReportOctober 1, 2025 Low Standards Hurt Security Officers’ Ability To Make Ends Meet Flatlining wages and insufficient benefits force many security officers to rely on public supports such as Medicaid—and industry consolidation is making things worse. Oct 1, 2025 Aurelia Glass
Good Jobs for Government Workers Improve Public Services ReportSeptember 15, 2025 Good Jobs for Government Workers Improve Public Services By maintaining fair working conditions for government workers, state and local policymakers can increase productivity, improve public outcomes, support stable revenues, and attract the next generation of public servants. Sep 15, 2025 Karla Walter, Sachin Shiva
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice IssueNovember 1, 2021 Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.
Strengthening Health IssueNovember 1, 2021 Strengthening Health We work to strengthen public health systems and improve health care coverage, access, and affordability.
Building an Economy for All IssueNovember 1, 2021 Building an Economy for All Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans benefit from growth.