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
K-12 Work-Based Learning Opportunities: A 50-State Scan of 2023 Legislative Action ReportApr 2, 2024 K-12 Work-Based Learning Opportunities: A 50-State Scan of 2023 Legislative Action Policymakers must work alongside educators and industry leaders to develop high-quality, equitable work-based learning models that bring these opportunities to more students. Apr 2, 2024 Tania Otero Martinez, Allie Pearce, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
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
Unions Continue To Build Wealth for All Americans ArticleMar 20, 2024 Unions Continue To Build Wealth for All Americans New data show unions increase wealth across education levels and close racial wealth gaps. Mar 20, 2024 David Madland, Christian E. Weller, Sachin Shiva
Communities That Lost Manufacturing Jobs Are Main Beneficiaries of Biden Administration’s New Industrial Policy ArticleMar 6, 2024 Communities That Lost Manufacturing Jobs Are Main Beneficiaries of Biden Administration’s New Industrial Policy New analysis finds that private investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are being announced in the communities that have been hit hardest by disinvestment in American manufacturing. Mar 6, 2024 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
Construction of Tennessee EV Battery Facility Highlights Promises and Challenges of Biden Administration Policies ReportFeb 26, 2024 Construction of Tennessee EV Battery Facility Highlights Promises and Challenges of Biden Administration Policies Tennessee’s BlueOval City electric vehicle battery facility shows how public investments can lead to good union jobs, but anecdotal evidence suggests that workers are not connecting these jobs to important economic policies. Feb 26, 2024 David Madland, Kyle Ross
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
What It Will Take To Increase Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage ArticleJan 17, 2024 What It Will Take To Increase Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage Continued worker action and major policy reforms are needed for union membership and collective bargaining to significantly increase. Jan 17, 2024 David Madland
Workers’ Paychecks Are Growing More Quickly Than Prices ReportJan 3, 2024 Workers’ Paychecks Are Growing More Quickly Than Prices Most workers’ wages are growing more quickly than prices, and the economic recovery following the COVID-19 recession has featured historically strong real wage growth. Jan 3, 2024 Brendan Duke
Facing the Fire: Phoenix Airport Workers Demand Protections Against Extreme Heat VideoDec 14, 2023 Facing the Fire: Phoenix Airport Workers Demand Protections Against Extreme Heat Amid record-breaking temperatures, Phoenix airport service workers filed an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) complaint against their employer and are demanding action to improve job conditions and safety measures. Dec 14, 2023 Hannah Malus, Margaret Cooney, Devon Lespier, 4 More Toni Pandolfo, Hai-Lam Phan, Madalyn Reagan, Jeremy Hill
Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Colorado Fact SheetDec 13, 2023 Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Colorado Paid family and medical leave benefits start in Colorado on January 1, 2024. Dec 13, 2023 Molly Weston Williamson
Direct Care Worker Pay and Benefits Are Low Despite High Demand for Services ReportDec 8, 2023 Direct Care Worker Pay and Benefits Are Low Despite High Demand for Services National policy action is needed to increase worker compensation and meet demand for direct care services. Dec 8, 2023 Claire Connacher
The Recent COVID-Fueled Rise in Disability Calls for Better Worker Protections ArticleOct 26, 2023 The Recent COVID-Fueled Rise in Disability Calls for Better Worker Protections Policymakers must take steps to address the recent rise in disability, which has been fueled by long COVID. Oct 26, 2023 Mia Ives-Rublee, Anona Neal
What this year’s labor strikes mean for America’s working class In the NewsOct 7, 2023 What this year’s labor strikes mean for America’s working class Former Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) discusses the recent series of wins for unions across the country and what these changes mean for American workers. Oct 7, 2023 The Hill Rep. Andy Levin
6 Ways Bidenomics Is Delivering for Young People ArticleOct 5, 2023 6 Ways Bidenomics Is Delivering for Young People The Biden administration’s actions to strengthen the economy are helping ensure young people have a brighter future. Oct 5, 2023 Jessica Vela, Crystal Weise
Understanding the Self-Employed in the United States Fact SheetSep 21, 2023 Understanding the Self-Employed in the United States This fact sheet explores the size, demographics, and key features of the self-employed population in the United States. Sep 21, 2023 Molly Weston Williamson
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
The Business Case for Good Jobs ReportSep 12, 2023 The Business Case for Good Jobs Jobs that include employee training and good working conditions have higher worker productivity and lower operational costs associated with turnover, boosting firm profitability and economic growth. Sep 12, 2023 Crystal Weise
Opinion: Big Three automakers need to step up for the workers who keep them profitable In the NewsSep 8, 2023 Opinion: Big Three automakers need to step up for the workers who keep them profitable In a MarketWatch op-ed, Mike Williams argues why the Big Three automakers need to work with the UAW to do right by autoworkers and to help fight against climate change. Sep 8, 2023 MarketWatch Mike Williams
Momentum for Worker Standards Boards Continues To Grow ArticleSep 7, 2023 Momentum for Worker Standards Boards Continues To Grow Since 2018, six states and three local governments have enacted laws that bring workers and employers together to recommend standards for sectors of the economy. Sep 7, 2023 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
Investing in Workers Can Further Ease Inflation and Boost Economic Growth ReportAug 30, 2023 Investing in Workers Can Further Ease Inflation and Boost Economic Growth By making it easier for more people to enter and stay in work, policymakers can help ease inflationary pressures over the medium term and grow the middle class. Aug 30, 2023 Rose Khattar, Christian E. Weller, David Correa
Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Oregon Fact SheetAug 22, 2023 Fast Facts About Paid Leave in Oregon Paid family and medical leave benefits start in Oregon on September 3, 2023. Aug 22, 2023 Molly Weston Williamson
This Union Win in Georgia Is a Win for the Clean Energy Future VideoAug 16, 2023 This Union Win in Georgia Is a Win for the Clean Energy Future After successfully forming a union with United Steelworkers, workers at the Blue Bird electric school bus manufacturing plant in Georgia have moved one step closer to securing a safer and fairer workplace while building the clean energy future. Aug 16, 2023 Hannah Malus, Devon Lespier, Hai-Lam Phan, 2 More Matthew Gossage, Charlie Schuyler
Self-Employed Workers’ Access to State Paid Leave Programs in 2023 ReportAug 10, 2023 Self-Employed Workers’ Access to State Paid Leave Programs in 2023 This issue brief explains the availability of state paid family and medical leave programs for self-employed workers in the United States. Aug 10, 2023 Molly Weston Williamson
Higher State-Level Minimum Wages Aid in Faster Jobs Recovery ArticleJul 24, 2023 Higher State-Level Minimum Wages Aid in Faster Jobs Recovery Since January 2021, employment in the leisure and hospitality industry has recovered faster in states with minimum wages higher than the $7.25 federal minimum. Jul 24, 2023 Jessica Vela
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
How Unions Are Crucial for Building Working-Class Economic Power ArticleJun 21, 2023 How Unions Are Crucial for Building Working-Class Economic Power Union membership allows workers without four-year college degrees to earn more and achieve financial security for their families and children. Jun 21, 2023 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
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
Minnesota is transforming its nursing home industry with a model that empowers workers In the NewsJun 16, 2023 Minnesota is transforming its nursing home industry with a model that empowers workers David Madland explains how the Minnesota Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Act can improve the nursing home industry by setting minimum workplace standards for the sector. Jun 16, 2023 Minnesota Reformer David Madland
A new North Star on paid leave from the North Star State In the NewsMay 19, 2023 A new North Star on paid leave from the North Star State Molly Weston Williamson explains the national importance of Minnesota becoming the first state in the Midwest to guarantee paid leave. May 19, 2023 the Minnesota Reformer Molly Weston Williamson
Universal Paid Sick Time Would Strengthen Public Health and Benefit Businesses ReportMay 15, 2023 Universal Paid Sick Time Would Strengthen Public Health and Benefit Businesses A national, guaranteed right to paid sick time is essential for the well-being of workers and their families and would have profound positive impacts on public health and businesses. May 15, 2023 Isabela Salas-Betsch
Unions Build Wealth for the American Working Class ReportMay 3, 2023 Unions Build Wealth for the American Working Class Union membership not only increases wealth for working-class families but also narrows racial wealth gaps and offers a path to the middle class. May 3, 2023 Aurelia Glass, David Madland, Christian E. Weller
What Policymakers Need To Know About Today’s Working Class ReportApr 6, 2023 What Policymakers Need To Know About Today’s Working Class The working class works primarily in service-sector jobs and is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever. Apr 6, 2023 Aurelia Glass
3 Ways States Can Expand and Sustain the Infrastructure Workforce by Meeting Child Care Needs ReportMar 29, 2023 3 Ways States Can Expand and Sustain the Infrastructure Workforce by Meeting Child Care Needs To improve recruitment, training, and retention in the construction industry, states should utilize infrastructure funds to address workers’ child care needs. Mar 29, 2023 Marina Zhavoronkova, Maureen Coffey
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
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
Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice 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 Strengthening Health We work to strengthen public health systems and improve health care coverage, access, and affordability.
Building an Economy for All 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.