State Legislators Fighting for the Working Class Past EventJune 25, 2025 State Legislators Fighting for the Working Class Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund and State Innovation Exchange (SiX) Action for a discussion with state lawmakers on how to promote a policy agenda to support the working class. Online only Jun 25, 2025
Trump Is Making America Greater for Billionaires, Not Workers In the NewsMarch 6, 2025 Trump Is Making America Greater for Billionaires, Not Workers In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Karla Walter and David Madland break down the real economic impacts that Trump’s recent slew of executive orders could have on everyday Americans. Mar 6, 2025 InsideSources Karla Walter, David Madland
What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans In the NewsFebruary 5, 2025 What State Lawmakers Could Do for Working-Class Americans In an op-ed published by Governing, Karla Walter and David Madland describe tangible, proven strategies state policymakers can use to strengthen the power of the working class in their communities this year. Feb 5, 2025 Governing Karla Walter, David Madland
8 Ways States Can Build Worker Power ReportJanuary 15, 2025 8 Ways States Can Build Worker Power State lawmakers should act to strengthen workers’ power in the economy. Jan 15, 2025 the Center for American Progress Sachin Shiva, Karla Walter, David Madland
7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power ReportJanuary 14, 2025 7 Ways State Lawmakers Can Build Public Sector Union Power State lawmakers can adopt new policies to empower workers across the public sector to come together in strong unions, negotiate for fair pay and working conditions, and train the next generation for public service. Jan 14, 2025 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
Too Many Airport Service Workers Earn Low Wages and Benefits ArticleJanuary 13, 2025 Too Many Airport Service Workers Earn Low Wages and Benefits New CAP analysis shows many essential airport service workers earn less than $15 per hour. Here’s how policymakers can fix that. Jan 13, 2025 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
4 Lessons on Creating Good Manufacturing Jobs Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Industrial Investments In the NewsOctober 7, 2024 4 Lessons on Creating Good Manufacturing Jobs Through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Industrial Investments The Biden-Harris administration's industrial investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act are creating U.S. manufacturing jobs and often result in high-quality union jobs, but policymakers can go further to uphold job quality on projects that receive federal investments. Oct 7, 2024 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
Public Officials Should Use Their Bully Pulpit To Support Worker Organizing and Bargaining ReportJuly 22, 2024 Public Officials Should Use Their Bully Pulpit To Support Worker Organizing and Bargaining Pro-worker policymakers should use public and private rhetoric to support organizing campaigns and ensure government spending creates high-quality union jobs. Jul 22, 2024 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter, Sachin Shiva
Op-ed: Airport service workers demand better support in the workplace. It’s time we listen In the NewsJuly 1, 2024 Op-ed: Airport service workers demand better support in the workplace. It’s time we listen Karla Walter published an op-ed in Crain’s New York Business arguing for why airport service workers under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey deserve better workplace standards. Jul 1, 2024 Crain's New York Business Karla Walter
8 Ways the Biden Administration Is Improving the Lives of Service Workers ArticleApril 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter
It’s time for local policymakers to cement the Biden administration’s workforce gains In the NewsMarch 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
President Biden Should Veto Anti-Worker Lawmakers’ Attack on Union Rights ArticleFebruary 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter
Government on Workers’ Side ReportJanuary 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter
8 Ways the Biden Administration Has Fought for Working People by Strengthening Unions ArticleDecember 19, 2023 8 Ways the Biden Administration Has Fought for Working People by Strengthening Unions At a time when Americans are at their most pro-union, President Joe Biden and his administration are using all the levers of government to support working people and unions. Dec 19, 2023 Karla Walter, David Madland
Workers Want Unions: How States Have Strengthened Worker Power in 2023 ArticleNovember 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 the Center for American Progress Isabela Salas-Betsch, Karla Walter
Point: Strong Prevailing Wage Standards Help Grow the Economy In the NewsOctober 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 ArticleSeptember 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 the Center for American Progress Leo Banks, Karla Walter, Anona Neal
How Project Labor Agreements and Community Workforce Agreements Are Good for the Biden Administration’s Investment Agenda ReportJuly 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 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter
4 Job Quality Questions All Applicants for New Federal Funds Should Answer ReportJune 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter
Public and Private Investments Are Poised To Transform Michigan ReportJune 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 the Center for American Progress 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 ReportMarch 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter
5 Policy Priorities for the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization ArticleMarch 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 the Center for American Progress Kevin DeGood, Karla Walter
Airport Service Workers Deserve Good Jobs ReportMarch 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 the Center for American Progress Karla Walter, Aurelia Glass
How To Support Good Jobs and Workforce Equity on Federal Infrastructure Projects ReportMarch 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 the Center for American Progress Marina Zhavoronkova, Karla Walter