EPI applauds Local Jobs for America Act
March 10, 2010
"Exactly the kind of bold response we need to address the worst jobs crisis since the Great Depression." Read More
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Unemployment hits record high in five statesNew state data released this week show unemployment declined in several states in January. But the jobless rate rose in 30 states, and hit new record highs in California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, as well as Washington D.C. |
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Almost 16% of black workers are unemployedAlgernon Austin, Director of EPI's Program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy, recently appeared on PBS to discuss the large racial disparities in the unemployment data. |
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Looming state budget cuts leave millions of jobs at stakeMarch 8, 2010 Unable to run budget deficits, even during severe economic downturns, states need fiscal relief to avoid further cuts. |
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Job market stuck on pauseUnemployment rate unchanged at 9.7% in February; 36,000 jobs lost. |
Latest Research
5.4 job seekers per job opening in January
March 9, 2010
January shows an increased number of job openings, but there remain far more job seekers.
Jobs Crisis Fact Sheet
March 8, 2010
Additional context on the country's high unemployment rate. (Updated March 2010.)
EPI’s Jobs Picture
March 5, 2010
Unemployment is unchanged in February but underemployment rises. 26.2 million Americans are now unemployed or underemployed.
Korea, Colombia and job loss
February 25, 2010
The U.S. manufacturing sector has lost nearly a third of its jobs between 2001 and 2009. International economist Robert Scott examines how proposed trade deals with Colombia and Korea could affect the job market.
Looking for blame in all the wrong places
February 25, 2010
Minimum wage increases do not cause part-time job loss.
The effects of citizenship on family income and poverty
February 24, 2010
A new paper finds that immigrant workers who are U.S. citizens enjoy higher wages and lower levels of poverty than non-citizens and that this benefit remains even after controlling for other factors.
The Economic Benefits of Immigrant Authorization
February 17, 2010
A new study co-authored by EPI board member Manuel Pastor shows substantial economic benefits of authorizing workers who are currently undocumented. The paper, which looks specifically at the 1.8 million unauthorized Latino workers in California, helps illustrate how helping these workers come "out of the shadows" can be good not just for immigrant families but also for government revenues.
Bridge to immigration or cheap temporary labor?
February 17, 2010
American employers often claim they use the H-1B and other skilled guest worker visa programs to attract talented foreign workers and help them remain permanently in the U.S. But new evidence shows these programs are mainly a means to help outsource U.S. jobs or recruit cheap temporary labor.
Analysis & Opinion
California’s Day of Action highlights need for fiscal relief to state and local governments
March 5, 2010
State and local budget cuts could cost millions of jobs. Read More
An immigration system where everybody wins
February 26, 2010
A growing body of research shows that citizenship benefits both immigrant workers and U.S.-born workers, as well as the overall economy. Read More
Address jobs now, deficits later
February 25, 2010
Job creation and deficit reduction are not opposing goals. Read More
Mishel testifies before Congress on the jobs crisis
February 23, 2010
EPI President Lawrence Mishel told the House Committee on Financial Services that if Congress does not act quickly and at a sufficient scale, "high and damaging unemployment will continue for years." Read More
More than 1 million long-term unemployed could lose benefits without extension
February 22, 2010
EPI Vice President Ross Eisenbrey says an extension of unemployment benefits set to expire this month is urgently needed. Read More
A stark before-and-after picture
February 19, 2010
Need proof that The Recovery Act is working? During a recent radio interview, economist Josh Bivens said that GDP data offers compelling evidence. Read More
The Recovery Act one year later
February 17, 2010
EPI President Lawrence Mishel says the Recovery Act passed one year ago worked exactly as designed, helping create about two million jobs. Read More
RSS
EPI In The News
- Arizona jobless rate up 114% since the recession began Phoenix Business Journal — Mar. 12, 2010 Read More
- Opponents of Chinese currency policy are smelling blood Marketwatch — Mar. 12, 2010 Read More
- Obama outlines drive to rise U.S. exports New York Times — Mar. 12, 2010 Read More
- Krugman says China Yuan policy depresses economic growth Business Week — Mar. 12, 2010 Read More
- The immigration economy Council on Foreign Relations — Mar. 12, 2010 Read More
- 100,000 jobs subsidized by stimulus will end in September Huffington Post — Mar. 11, 2010 Read More
- It won’t be easy for teens to find summer jobs Deseret News — Mar. 11, 2010 Read More
- States, cities likely to slash jobs as stimulus dwindles CNBC — Mar. 10, 2010 Read More
- See More EPI In The News
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A massive jobs gap
March 5, 1:34pm
The labor market is now roughly 11.1 million jobs below what would be needed to return to pre-recession of unemployment. And even that number understates the slack in the labor market because it fails to take into account the decline in hours worked for those who have kept their jobs.
At the start of the recession in December 2007, the length of the average work week in the private sector was 34.7 hours. In February, it was 33.8 hours. The decline in the total number of hours worked in the private sector since the start of the recession attributable to reduced hours alone is equivalent to 2.8 million jobs.
This means that the “effective” gap in the labor market is on the order of 13.9 million jobs.
--From Heidi Shierholz' February Jobs Picture.
Quick Takes archive
The State of Working America
A comprehensive look at the U.S. labor market and trends in income and employment levels, wages, poverty and healthcare coverage for American families
Economic Analysis and Research Network
Improving workers' lives through state and local research and advocacy
The Broader, Bolder Approach to Education
Policies to overcome the link between social and economic status and achievement
