EPI in the news

• Companies are finally letting women take sexual harassment to court

   

  According to a 2017 study by the Economic Policy Institute, the percentage of employees subject to mandatory arbitration clauses increased seven-fold between 1995 and 2017, with 56 percent of non-union private-sector workers now covered by these so-called agreements. The EPI has extrapolated from this data that more than 60 million American workers are barred from ever taking employment claims to open court. Given that women are 47 percent of the workforce, that means close to 30 million women cannot go to court if faced with sexual harassment.

  The Washington Post | May 21, 2018
• ‘The Rideshare Guy’ offers tips to Uber, Lyft drivers

  Maximizing profits is important since ride-hailing drivers typically do not make much. A report last week by the Economic Policy Institute found that an Uber driver’s wage averages $9.21 an hour, subtracting fees, vehicle expenses and taxes.

  Chicago Tribune | May 21, 2018
• It Looks Like #DeleteUber Had More of an Impact Than We Thought

   

  This is how much Uber drivers really make [Marketwatch]

  Sum and Substance: After expenses, Uber drivers don’t take much more than minimum wage home. Maybe driving for Uber isn’t so profitable. For the drivers, at least. When accounting for the ride-sharing company’s commissions and fees, vehicle expenses and a modest health insurance package, Uber drivers end up earning just $9.21 in hourly wages, according to a new study from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning nonprofit think tank based in Washington, D.C… (re-post of story) …  “My Take:  Since that questionable MIT study came out a few months back with shockingly low after expenses hourly pay for Uber drivers, there have been a flurry of stories by major media outlets trying to settle once and for all what Uber / Lyft drivers make. The reality is that what a driver makes is all over the map depending on how and where you drive, when you drive, how smart you are and how lucky you are. Fair to say, in any event drivers make a lot less than Uber/Lyft wants them to believe.”

  The Rideshare Guy | May 21, 2018
• Gig Economy’s Impacts Overestimated, Study Says

   

  The nation is making progress toward full employment, according to recent data, but don’t rush to attribute that to the so-called gig economy.  A new report from the Economic Policy Institute shows the impact of tech companies such as Uber is overrated.  Lawrence Mishel, a distinguished fellow with the institute, says widely publicized hourly earnings for Uber drivers frequently leave out expenses the independent contractors have to cover, including more than 30 percent in fees the company takes off the top, health insurance premiums, and significant wear and tear on their vehicles. (whole story)

  Public News Service | May 21, 2018
• Analysis of Driver Pay Argues It’s Time to Stop Talking About Uber as the Future of Work

   

  Another new study attempts to answer a perennial question about the gig economy: How much are drivers for ride-hailing apps like Uber actually making? In Seattle and elsewhere, policy makers have heard very different accounts from drivers about whether they’re able to make a living using rideshare apps. An analysis released this week from the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank based in Washington, D.C., finds that Uber drivers make between $9 and $12 an hour. (whole story)

  The Stranger | May 21, 2018
• D.C.’s Black Unemployment Rate Remains Among Highest In The Country

   

  Despite a strengthening economy, the black unemployment rate is twice that of whites nationally, according to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). A breakdown of unemployment rates by race and ethnicity in the District and the 22 states for which black unemployment rates were available shows that in the first quarter of 2018, the African American unemployment rate was highest in D.C., at 12.9 percent. That’s a decrease from 13.7 percent at the end of 2017. For comparison, during the same period of time, the highest rate of white unemployment at the state level was 5.2 percent, in West Virginia. (whole story)

  WAMU | May 21, 2018
• Report: Louisiana leads nation in 2018 job growth

   

  Louisiana has seen more job growth this year than any other state, according to a report out today by the Economic Policy Institute. The nonprofit think tank says the amount of jobs in the state grew by 1.1 percent from January to April, the highest rate in the country. Texas is second, growing jobs by one percent. Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana employment is at an all-time high. (whole story)

  KSLA | May 21, 2018

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