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 Center for American Progress 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 Center for American Progress Karla Walter, Sachin Shiva
The Trump Administration Is Quietly Gutting Minimum Wage Protections for Millions of Workers ArticleAugust 27, 2025 The Trump Administration Is Quietly Gutting Minimum Wage Protections for Millions of Workers The administration has already cut minimum wage protections for hundreds of thousands of federal contract workers and halted plans to require companies to pay disabled workers at least $7.25 per hour; this Labor Day, it will advance plans to eliminate federal minimum wage protections for millions of child care and home care providers. Aug 27, 2025 Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
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
Despite Musk’s Departure, Trump’s War Against Unions and Workers Will Continue ArticleJune 23, 2025 Despite Musk’s Departure, Trump’s War Against Unions and Workers Will Continue While DOGE made headlines for firing tens of thousands of federal workers, Elon Musk's departure will not slow down the Trump administration’s efforts to end collective bargaining for more than 1 million workers, slash wage protections for hundreds of thousands, and muzzle a key agency protecting organizing rights. Jun 23, 2025 Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
Governors Should Fight for an Economic Agenda To Improve the Lives of Working-Class Residents ReportJune 10, 2025 Governors Should Fight for an Economic Agenda To Improve the Lives of Working-Class Residents By advancing policies to build power and raise the wages of working-class families, governors can improve economic opportunity for all state residents and illustrate a strong contrast with the Trump administration, which is abandoning its commitments to working people. Jun 10, 2025 Center for American Progress Karla Walter
Representing Working-Class Voters Past EventJune 4, 2025 Representing Working-Class Voters Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for a discussion with congressional representatives about how best to promote an agenda for today’s working class. 1333 H St NW, Washington, DC | Online via Zoom Jun 4, 2025
The Trump Administration Ended Collective Bargaining for 1 Million Federal Workers ArticleMay 22, 2025 The Trump Administration Ended Collective Bargaining for 1 Million Federal Workers The Trump administration claims to speak for American workers, but it took away the collective bargaining rights of 1 in every 14 workers protected by a union contract. May 22, 2025 Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
Trump Just Cut the Minimum Wage for Hundreds of Thousands of Private Sector Workers ArticleApril 11, 2025 Trump Just Cut the Minimum Wage for Hundreds of Thousands of Private Sector Workers By tearing up a Biden-era executive order that set a minimum wage for workers on federal contracts, the Trump administration has made some private sector workers vulnerable to pay cuts of up to 25 percent. Apr 11, 2025 Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
Understanding the Working Class and the Challenges It Faces ArticleMarch 24, 2025 Understanding the Working Class and the Challenges It Faces The working class, a large majority of the workforce and its most racially and ethnically diverse group, faces low pay and higher unemployment. Mar 24, 2025 Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
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
While Other Voters Moved Away From the Democrats, Union Members Shifted Toward Harris in 2024 ArticleDecember 2, 2024 While Other Voters Moved Away From the Democrats, Union Members Shifted Toward Harris in 2024 Although many demographic groups shifted their votes to favor Donald Trump in 2024 compared to 2020, Kamala Harris increased Democratic support among union voters. Dec 2, 2024 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
Industry Standards Boards Are Delivering Results for Workers, Employers, and Their Communities ReportNovember 21, 2024 Industry Standards Boards Are Delivering Results for Workers, Employers, and Their Communities State accomplishments demonstrate that boards work best when they have the necessary legal authority and resources. Nov 21, 2024 the Center for American Progress David Madland, Sachin Shiva
Massachusetts Creates New State Model for Rideshare Collective Bargaining In the NewsNovember 11, 2024 Massachusetts Creates New State Model for Rideshare Collective Bargaining In an article published by OnLabor, David Madland discusses how the new Massachusetts law can provide a path for rideshare drivers to unionize and bargain collectively. Nov 11, 2024 OnLabor David Madland
5 Ways Donald Trump’s Plans Are Even More Extreme Than Project 2025 ReportOctober 31, 2024 5 Ways Donald Trump’s Plans Are Even More Extreme Than Project 2025 Donald Trump and JD Vance are trying to hide their connections to Project 2025 but are not running away from the playbook’s far-right policies. In fact, some of their proposals and statements are even more extreme than those advanced in Project 2025. Oct 31, 2024 Kelly McCoy, Will Ragland
Explaining Young Workers’ Support for Unions In the NewsOctober 29, 2024 Explaining Young Workers’ Support for Unions Young workers today feel like they're starting from behind. For them, unions may be the answer to getting ahead. Oct 29, 2024 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
Community Navigators Can Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits and New Jobs While Building Worker Power In the NewsOctober 22, 2024 Community Navigators Can Increase Access to Unemployment Benefits and New Jobs While Building Worker Power Evidence from the Maine Peer Workforce Navigator program shows that workers and government can benefit from well-designed community partnerships. Oct 22, 2024 the Center for American Progress Michele Evermore, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, David Madland
LGBTQ Labor Progress and Worker Safety Is at Stake This Fall In the NewsSeptember 11, 2024 LGBTQ Labor Progress and Worker Safety Is at Stake This Fall In an op-ed published by Newsweek, Serena Zets emphasizes the need to continue building pathways for young LGBTQ people and people of color in the workforce. Sep 11, 2024 Newsweek Serena Zets
Randi Weingarten on Labor Day and Threats to Public Education PodcastAugust 29, 2024 Randi Weingarten on Labor Day and Threats to Public Education Randi Weingarten discusses the significance of Labor Day and how Project 2025 and MAGA extremists are threatening U.S. public schools. Aug 29, 2024 Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Kelly McCoy, 7 More Erin Phillips, Mishka Espey, Muggs Leone, Hai-Lam Phan, Matthew Gossage, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo
Harris’ Plan To Raise the Minimum Wage and Eliminate Tax on Tips Would Benefit Service and Hospitality Workers ArticleAugust 14, 2024 Harris’ Plan To Raise the Minimum Wage and Eliminate Tax on Tips Would Benefit Service and Hospitality Workers Crucially, the vice president’s proposal would provide guardrails to keep the policy aimed at low-paid workers, in contrast to Trump’s plan, which would allow the wealthy to skirt taxes. Aug 14, 2024 Marc Jarsulic, Brendan Duke, Emily Gee, 1 More Kennedy Andara
Opinion: Republican politicians chant ‘drill, baby, drill’ while hundreds die of extreme heat Personal StoryAugust 12, 2024 Opinion: Republican politicians chant ‘drill, baby, drill’ while hundreds die of extreme heat Christofer Kimes, a union carpenter and drywall finisher from Nevada, writes about how extreme heat increasingly affects blue collar workers, underscoring the importance of addressing climate change. Aug 12, 2024 The Nevadan Christofer Kimes
Since 2020, Union Member Support for Democrats Has Increased ReportJuly 30, 2024 Since 2020, Union Member Support for Democrats Has Increased New Center for American Progress Action Fund analysis shows that support for Democrats among union voters grew in 2020 and 2022 after decreasing in 2016 and 2018; whether this trend continues could have major effects on the election in 2024. Jul 30, 2024 Aurelia Glass, David Madland
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
Raquel Willis on Juneteenth, Pride, and Collective Liberation PodcastJune 20, 2024 Raquel Willis on Juneteenth, Pride, and Collective Liberation Activist and journalist Raquel Willis discusses intersectional activism and MAGA attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jun 20, 2024 Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Kelly McCoy, 7 More Erin Phillips, Mishka Espey, Muggs Leone, Hai-Lam Phan, Matthew Gossage, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo
Project 2025 Would Undo the NLRB’s Progress on Protecting Workers’ Right To Organize ArticleJune 20, 2024 Project 2025 Would Undo the NLRB’s Progress on Protecting Workers’ Right To Organize Workers are winning a greater percentage of NLRB-overseen union elections than at any point in the past 15 years as Biden administration appointees help protect workers' right to organize—but a conservative policy plan offers a blueprint for eroding the NLRB's ability to protect organizing workers. Jun 20, 2024 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
Investing in infrastructure helps everybody Personal StoryMay 22, 2024 Investing in infrastructure helps everybody Cristian Cespedes, a union member from Las Vegas, shares how federal infrastructure investments and regulations help create jobs and drive up wages for both union and nonunion workers alike. May 22, 2024 The Las Vegas Sun News Cristian Cespedes
Opinion: Wisconsin’s workforce is experiencing a rebirth that will ensure a brighter future Personal StoryMay 16, 2024 Opinion: Wisconsin’s workforce is experiencing a rebirth that will ensure a brighter future Bridget Glover, a union worker from Wisconsin, shares how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is creating sustainable career opportunities and opening doors for new workers in the trades. May 16, 2024 UpNorthNews Bridget Glover
Unions Give Workers a Voice Over How AI Affects Their Jobs ReportMay 16, 2024 Unions Give Workers a Voice Over How AI Affects Their Jobs Collective bargaining is a powerful tool workers can use to ensure artificial intelligence and algorithmic technology improve their jobs instead of make working conditions worse, and workers have won several recent contracts that give them power over how AI will affect their working lives. May 16, 2024 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
A Closer Look at How Unions Change Workers’ Lives for the Better In the NewsMay 15, 2024 A Closer Look at How Unions Change Workers’ Lives for the Better Aurelia Glass explains in InsideSources why the nation's broken labor laws must be addressed amid the increasing popularity and diversification of workers’ unions in America. May 15, 2024 InsideSources Aurelia Glass
Your view: Why 2024 is such a critical year for Pennsylvania workers Personal StoryMay 2, 2024 Your view: Why 2024 is such a critical year for Pennsylvania workers Buddy Maxwell, an organizer for the United Auto Workers union, writes about the importance of holding elected officials accountable for passing policies that support working people. May 2, 2024 The Morning Call Buddy Maxwell
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
Unions Continue To Build Wealth for All Americans ArticleMarch 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 the Center for American Progress David Madland, Christian E. Weller, Sachin Shiva
UAW’s David Green on Championing Labor PodcastMarch 1, 2024 UAW’s David Green on Championing Labor United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 2B Director David Green joins the show to talk about the Trump and Biden administrations' approaches to labor. Mar 1, 2024 Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Kelly McCoy, 3 More Erin Phillips, Mishka Espey, Muggs Leone
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
Melinda Maerker on ‘We Live Here’ and LGBTQI+ Equality PodcastJanuary 18, 2024 Melinda Maerker on ‘We Live Here’ and LGBTQI+ Equality This week on “The Tent,” Melinda Maerker joins to discuss her new documentary, “We Live Here: The Midwest.” Jan 18, 2024 Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Erin Phillips, 3 More Kelly McCoy, Mishka Espey, Devon Ombres
What It Will Take To Increase Union Membership and Collective Bargaining Coverage ArticleJanuary 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 the Center for American Progress David Madland
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
How Labor Unions Help Reduce the Pay Gap for Disabled Workers ArticleDecember 6, 2023 How Labor Unions Help Reduce the Pay Gap for Disabled Workers Disabled workers are underpaid, but union membership helps ensure they earn the same wages as their nondisabled peers. Dec 6, 2023 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
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
CAP Action’s Mike Williams on the UAW Strike and the Labor Movement PodcastSeptember 21, 2023 CAP Action’s Mike Williams on the UAW Strike and the Labor Movement Mike Williams, senior fellow at CAP Action, talks about the UAW strike and the current labor movement. Sep 21, 2023 Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Erin Phillips, 3 More Kelly McCoy, Sam Signorelli, Mike Williams
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
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.
Restoring Social Trust in Democracy IssueNovember 1, 2021 Restoring Social Trust in Democracy Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.
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.