Heidi Shierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute and former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the erosion of worker protections under the Trump administration, the manipulation of economic data and the importance of unions in today’s economy.
Shierholz offered examples of Trump policies she described as “anti-worker,” including the removal of minimum wage increases for low-wage federal contract workers and the potential dismantling of the National Labor Relations Board. She highlighted how Trump’s pro-worker rhetoric contradicts his actions, which she said have consistently favored employers and shareholders over workers. Shierholz also clarified misconceptions about Trump’s proposed tax exemptions on overtime and tips, explaining that the benefits to workers are far less than advertised and could lead to lower base wages.
Union Workforce Podcast
October 16, 2025
Acknowledgments
Gallup acknowledges the invaluable contributions of the partners and stakeholders whose collaboration has been instrumental in the development of the study, resulting analysis and report, including Jobs for the Future, The Families & Workers Fund and the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. We are also grateful for support from the Gates Foundation.
Research Taskforce
- Susan Houseman, Senior Economist, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
- Katharine G. Abraham, Distinguished University Professor of Economics, University of Maryland
- Chandra Childers, Senior Policy and Economic Analyst, Economic Policy Institute
Gallup News
October 16, 2025
Not only do immigrants comprise a significant share of home care workers — immigrants make up 32% of the workers in home care, according to a KFF analysis released in April — but they also are driving growth across US economic sectors. The Economic Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, published a report last week that found that the nation’s share of US-born workers will decrease between 2025 and 2035, while the share of foreign-born workers will increase.
“The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) forecasts that immigration will account for essentially 100% of total US population growth over this time span, and well over 100% of population growth after 2031,” the report said. “Given that 75% to 80% of immigration flows are people between the ages of 20 to 64, this means that the US-born population of those between the ages of 20 and 64 — the vast bulk of the potential labor force — is forecast to shrink every year for the next decade.”
McKnight’s Senior Living
October 16, 2025
Heidi Shierholz, President of the Economic Policy Institute and former Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the erosion of worker protections under the Trump administration, the manipulation of economic data and the importance of unions in today’s economy.
Shierholz offered examples of Trump policies she described as “anti-worker,” including the removal of minimum wage increases for low-wage federal contract workers and the potential dismantling of the National Labor Relations Board. She highlighted how Trump’s pro-worker rhetoric contradicts his actions, which she said have consistently favored employers and shareholders over workers. Shierholz also clarified misconceptions about Trump’s proposed tax exemptions on overtime and tips, explaining that the benefits to workers are far less than advertised and could lead to lower base wages.
Union Workforce Podcast
October 16, 2025
According to the Economic Policy Institute, “For Black Americans, public sector employment has historically provided a pathway to better, more equitable job …[paywall].
Boston Globe
October 15, 2025
Back in 1965, the average U.S. CEO made just 21 times more than the typical worker.
By 2024, that number had exploded to 281:1 across the top 350 U.S. firms, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI).
“From 1978 to 2024, CEO compensation rose more than 1,000%, while typical worker pay grew only 26%,” said EPI economist Josh Bivens. “That’s not productivity—it’s power.”
CEO Today
October 15, 2025
Economic Policy Institute, told the Times. “There’s been such a rapid shift in policy, rather than something cyclical or structural about the economy.”
Inc.
October 15, 2025
A Tale of Two Quintiles
The bottom fifth’s share of aggregate weekly wages has risen over the last two years, while the top fifth’s has fallen
Source: Economic Policy Institute, author’s analysis
Note: 12-month moving average, adjusted for annual population controls.
Bloomberg
October 15, 2025
Samantha Sanders, director of government affairs and advocacy at the Economic Policy Institute, said having a political actor in the inspector general role would be “a real shame.”
IGs of the past have probed the department’s ability to investigate child labor claims, unemployment insurance fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
“It’s always good to be asking questions about whether things are being done appropriately, if funds are accounted for, or if programs are effective,” she said. “You need a strong IG for that and there’s certainly a concern that D’Esposito might be the president’s attack dog.”
Bloomberg Law
October 15, 2025
According to the Economic Policy Institute, enforcement of the tip credit law can be inconsistent, resulting in gaps where workers may not always receive the federally mandated minimum wage. While many servers in high-traffic restaurants earn well above $7.25 per hour from tips, others in lower-volume establishments rely heavily on their employer to meet wage requirements.
Complex
October 14, 2025