Policy Issues
Free and Fair What are the parallels between the rights of Americans as citizens to elect their own government and the rights of Americans as employees to represent themselves in the workplace? Check this new study.
The Silent War: "The Silent War," speaks to the assault on workers' freedom to choose a union and bargain collectively in the United States. Additional policy statements on major economic and social issues can be found at the National AFL-CIO web site as follows: Policy and Issues - Jobs, Wages & The Economy - Eye On Corporate America
How Unions Help All Workers: Unions have a substantial impact on the compensation and work lives of both unionized and nonunionized workers. Unions play a pivotal role in securing and enforcing labor protections such as overtime compensation, family and medical leave, and health and safety regulations. The Briefing Paper, "How Unions Help All Workers," by Economic Policy Institute President Lawrence Mishel, examines the effect of unions on wages, fringe benefits, total compensation, pay inequality, and workplace protections. Policy briefs on other critical economic issues can be found at the Economic Policy Institute's web site. www.epinet.org
Education For Democracy: "Education For Democracy," is a recent position paper developed by the Albert Shanker Institute that addresses the following: How do we instill in a new generation an understanding of an an appreciation for their stunning political historic? How do we educate citizens? How do we raise democrats? Additional statements on public policy can be found at the Albert Shanker Institute web site at: www.ashankerinst.org/homepage.html
Will Pensions Exist In The Future? Pensions provide financial security to retired workers. Although, pensions are scarce, a disturbing trend of corporate malfeasance threatens their stability. Learn more about how the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) is fighting to protect retired workers. Additional information on matters impacting our seniors can be found at the ARA web site: www.retiredamericans.org/index.php
Government Study Says No Improvement In Gender Pay Gap over Two Decades Equal pay for women remains stubbornly elusive, according to a new government study, the most comprehensive survey on the subject ever conducted. Women still earn about 80 cents on the male dollar, even accounting for variables like work patterns, industry, occupation, race, marital status and job tenure, all of which can affect pay levels, according to a congressionally commissioned study by the Government Accounting Office that examined 18 years of data on more than 9,300 Americans. Addition additional information on labor and economic issues can be obtained by visiting the Labor Research Association Web Site at: www.laborresearch.org
Do Fat Cats Pay Lower Tax Rates Than Workers? The federal tax code has become skewed in favor of investors over workers. Federal taxes on earnings are now one-and -one-half greater than personal taxes on investment income. Tax policy is the subject of many additional reports at: www.ctj.org
