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
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
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
Opinion: This federally-funded job training program gave me a fresh start Personal StoryMarch 21, 2024 Opinion: This federally-funded job training program gave me a fresh start Phoenix resident Tarji Borders describes how a job training program funded by the CHIPS and Science Act made it possible for her to start building a career in Arizona’s burgeoning semiconductor industry. Mar 21, 2024 The Copper Courier Tarji Borders
Communities That Lost Manufacturing Jobs Are Main Beneficiaries of Biden Administration’s New Industrial Policy ArticleMarch 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 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, David Madland
Biden’s Belvidere Win Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump’s Broken Promises in Lordstown ArticleFebruary 26, 2024 Biden’s Belvidere Win Stands in Stark Contrast to Trump’s Broken Promises in Lordstown Differing outcomes at the auto plants in Lordstown, Ohio, and Belvidere, Illinois, underscore the stark contrast between the approaches of Biden and Trump to the automotive industry and its workers. Feb 26, 2024 Jeremy Berns
Construction of Tennessee EV Battery Facility Highlights Promises and Challenges of Biden Administration Policies ReportFebruary 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 the Center for American Progress David Madland, Kyle Ross
Op-ed: How federal investments are empowering Navajo People Personal StoryFebruary 14, 2024 Op-ed: How federal investments are empowering Navajo People JoAnn Armenta, the CEO of an organization that provides workforce training and resources to the Navajo people, shares how the Inflation Reduction Act has helped her organization provide community members with the skills to start their own solar businesses. Feb 14, 2024 The Copper Courier JoAnn Armenta
Opinion | We own a solar energy business, but we wouldn’t be here without the IRA. Personal StoryFebruary 9, 2024 Opinion | We own a solar energy business, but we wouldn’t be here without the IRA. Small-business owner Maria Drews shares how tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act are helping clean energy businesses such as hers to grow, in addition to saving households money as they switch to solar energy. Feb 9, 2024 The Capital Times Maria Drews
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
Op-ed: How a federally-funded apprenticeship changed my life Personal StoryNovember 17, 2023 Op-ed: How a federally-funded apprenticeship changed my life Joshua Swindells, who dropped out of school as a teenager to care for his elderly parents, explains how a federally funded apprenticeship program allowed him to return to his education and gain valuable work experience in the information technology field. Joshua fears that proposals to cut federal workforce funding could harm young people such as him. Nov 17, 2023 Cardinal & Pine Joshua Swindells
Opinion: At 19, I was homeless. Now at 25, I’m a homeowner with a good-paying union job. Personal StoryNovember 16, 2023 Opinion: At 19, I was homeless. Now at 25, I’m a homeowner with a good-paying union job. Michigan carpenter Raquell Rivera describes how her career as a union carpenter enabled her to transition out of homelessness and become a homeowner. Raquell explains how proposed cuts to federal workforce development funding could threaten both the preapprenticeship program she attended and similar programs. Nov 16, 2023 The Michigan Independent Raquell Rivera
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
Community colleges partner with semiconductor industry In the NewsJuly 14, 2023 Community colleges partner with semiconductor industry Chancellor of Maricopa Community College District Steven Gonzales writes about the impact the CHIPS and Science Act has had on Arizona students and workforce development. The law spurred increased investments in semiconductor manufacturing, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and investing in training programs to fulfill the workforce needs. Jul 14, 2023 Arizona Capitol Times Steven Gonzales
Biden’s Investments Create Opportunity for Arizona Carpenters In the NewsJuly 7, 2023 Biden’s Investments Create Opportunity for Arizona Carpenters The business representative of the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Union Local 1912, Bill Ruiz, describes how investments from the Biden administration are benefiting carpenters. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and CHIPS and Science Act are ushering in a historic construction boom for carpentry work. Jul 7, 2023 The Copper Courier Bill Ruiz
What Policymakers Need To Know About Today’s Working Class ReportApril 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 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass
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
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
How historic infrastructure investments can benefit women workers In the NewsFebruary 21, 2023 How historic infrastructure investments can benefit women workers Karla Walter partnered with Sharita Gruberg to break down the potential long-lasting benefits for women in manufacturing due to President Joe Biden’s historic economic legislation. Feb 21, 2023 The Hill Sharita Gruberg, Karla Walter
How Biden’s American-Style Industrial Policy Will Create Quality Jobs ArticleOctober 27, 2022 How Biden’s American-Style Industrial Policy Will Create Quality Jobs The Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are key pillars of a transformative industrial policy platform. Oct 27, 2022 the Center for American Progress Aurelia Glass, Karla Walter