Washington, D.C. — Progressive labor policies are under withering attack by the Trump administration, by Congress, and by a number of state and local elected officials. A new report from the Center for American Progress Action Fund outlines ways that state and local governments can take action to raise labor standards across entire industries, sectors, or regions through a variety of policies.
“In the age of Trump, it’s key for state and local elected leaders to identify and utilize available levers to build a system that works better for workers as well as the larger economy,” said David Madland, Senior Advisor to the American Worker Project at CAP Action. “With workers everywhere under assault, progressives need both vision and the right tools to fight back where they can.”
CAP Action’s report focuses on eight policy mechanisms that state and local governments can use to raise wages at an industry or sectoral level and to support worker organizations. These mechanisms include:
- Establishing new industrywide standards with wage boards
- Supporting existing industrywide standards with prevailing wages
- Raising standards on government spending to improve results and support good jobs
- Improving enforcement by partnering with worker organizations
- Promoting high-quality training through labor-management partnerships and worker organizations
- Using worker organizations to improve workplace benefits
- Using licensing and permitting so the market supports high-road firms and organizations
- Lowering barriers to joining worker organizations
Click here to read “How State and Local Governments Can Strengthen Worker Power and Raise Wages” by David Madland and Alex Rowell.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.