Across U.S. states and the District of Columbia, members of the working class support policies to raise wages, increase taxes on the wealthy, and boost spending on health care, education, and infrastructure.
Despite the economic expansion, union density has continued to fall across demographic groups, industries, and occupations, as well as in most states.
Union membership rates are at record lows, and new data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the share of income going to the middle class remains low as well.
President Trump promised to defend “forgotten workers,” but his administration has instead advanced an anti-worker agenda that favors corporate interests at the expense of working-class Americans.
Broader-based bargaining requires increasing union power, promoting contract extensions, and establishing wage boards.
Congress can empower workers in our economy and democracy by strengthening unions.
Progressive state and local lawmakers should act to strengthen workers’ power in the economy and our democracy.
New Census Bureau data indicate that the middle class is receiving close to the smallest-ever share of the nation’s income.
Throughout the country, women, people of color, and workers in the service sector make up a sizable portion of the working class.
Allowing more Americans to bargain collectively and instituting novel ways to bargain across industries and occupations will help reduce gender and racial pay gaps.