The Economic Policy Institute estimates teachers today suffer a 26.4% wage penalty and a 17.0% penalty when employee benefits are included (Allegretto, 2023). As increasing teacher turnover, a dwindling teacher pipeline, and worsening teacher morale continue, many public schools’ darkening financial horizons add to the worry.
Kappan Online
May 6, 2025
Trump crossed the 100 days mark late last week, and so far, we’re unimpressed to say the least. So far he hasn’t done only of the things he promised (like lowering prices or ending the war in Ukraine) but he has done lots and lots of stuff that nobody wanted, and he looks like he’s going to continue doing things no one wanted for as long as we allow him to remain in office. Former New York Times Labor Reporter Steven Greenhouse and Economic Policy Expert Margaret Poydock are our guests.
The Rick Smith Show
May 5, 2025
An analysis by the non-partisan Economic Policy Institute looked at potential Elon Musk-led DOGE cuts to Social Security, calling it “sabotage,” saying in part, “The only way that slashing the number of workers will save large sums money is by making it hard for people to access benefits they’ve earned.”
EPI’s full analysis can be read by clicking here.
WGNTV
May 5, 2025
According to data from the Economic Policy Institute, bus drivers were down 12.4% between September 2024 and 2019. Low pay averages and a roughly a six-week training turnaround are major contributing factors to the shortage that hit hardest in the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to be a pain point.
My San Antonio
May 5, 2025
With a minimum living wage of just over $79,000 in the Granite State (for one adult and one child, according to the Economic Policy Institute), districts are seeing teacher shortages as educators seek higher wages elsewhere, NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle said.
New Hampshire Union Leader
May 5, 2025
In his first 100 days, Trump has fired thousands of federal workers, made it easier to fire civil servants, reduced the minimum wage for federal contractors, attacked workers’ union and collective bargaining rights, and canceled grants for programs to combat forced and child labor around the world according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Cape Cod Times
May 5, 2025
“The labor force participation of parents with young children is weaker in the United States than in many of our peer nations, likely because of our lack of paid parental leave policies as well as the high cost of child care,” according to analysts at the Economic Policy Institute.
Salon
May 5, 2025
David Cooper, an analyst for the think tank Economic Policy Institute, told Stateline that the measure would give money away to the wealthiest people in Missouri.
“It is so egregious in just how grossly concentrated the benefits of the [Missouri] proposal would go to the richest people in the state and shift the state’s tax system to really privilege the owners of wealth over people who are earning a regular paycheck,” Cooper said.
Heartland Signal
May 5, 2025
According to the Economic Policy Institute, American workers have become 81% more productive since 1979 and pay has only increased by 29%. Where is that extra money going? The CEOs, the boards, the wealthy, and not us.) I believe any union win would positively affect Syracuse’s economy.
Syracuse.com
May 5, 2025
Although the worker, Raven Schvartz, was allegedly fired for tardiness, the 20-year-old barista and her coworkers suspect she was unlawfully fired in part due to her leading role in helping to form a union at their store last year. Under federal labor law, it’s generally illegal for an employer to fire, discipline, or otherwise retaliate against a worker for union activity—although an estimated 41% of employers are charged with breaking labor law during union campaigns anyway, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Creative Loafing Tampa
May 5, 2025