Heidi Shierholz is the President of the Economic Policy Institute and the former chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor, and she joins me now.
CNN International
September 8, 2025
More than 90 percent of union workers nationwide have employer-paid health benefits, compared to just 71 percent of nonunion peers, according to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute.
Nation of Change
September 8, 2025
Raising two children from infancy through college remains one of the costliest undertakings. Using Economic Policy Institute data, Investopedia calculates $650,000 to cover childcare, transportation, meals, and other expenses, with college costs exceeding $230,000 for two children.
Newsweek
September 8, 2025
According to an analysis of BLS data by the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute, increases in nominal average hourly earnings have continued a downward slide that began in 2022.
New Republic
September 8, 2025
August’s payroll losses were particularly acute in professional and business services, the federal government and wholesale trade. But weakness was evident across sectors. “There have also been sustained losses over recent months in manufacturing, construction and mining, an indication that Trump’s blue-collar renaissance is clearly not happening,” Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, posted on Bluesky.
Observer
September 8, 2025
“We’re not seeing any evidence yet of improved conditions for [domestic] workers,” said Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the Economic Policy Institute. “Some employers, especially in certain industries, have been ready to make a push for more H-2A and H-2B visas… They see that the only way they are going to replace that workforce is with these programs.”
Investigate Midwest
September 8, 2025
“Trump’s blue-collar renaissance is clearly not happening,” Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, wrote in a commentary.
Investopedia
September 8, 2025
Eight states currently have equal wages for tipped and non-tipped workers. In states where tipped wages are $2.13 per hour, the poverty rate for waitstaff and bartenders hovers around 18.5%, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a left-of-center think tank, citing U.S. Census data. For states with one minimum wage, the poverty rate is about 11.1%.
Fortune
September 8, 2025
KALW San Francisco
September 8, 2025
These effects are reshaping the local economy and call into question whether tariffs are achieving their stated goal of boosting U.S. jobs and manufacturing. Joining us on AirTalk today for more is Adam S. Hersh, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, and Ching Fu, Meet Fresh General Manager.
LAist
September 8, 2025