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News from EPI › Media Advisory – EPI to Release New Report on Unprecedented Legislative Attacks on Workers’ Rights

Press Releases • October 25, 2013

On Thursday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m. ET, the Economic Policy Institute will release a new report and hold a panel discussion on the study, which reveals a broad state-by-state effort to undermine wages and labor standards for all workers.

Gordon Lafer, EPI research associate and associate professor at the University of Oregon, will present his new report The Legislative Attack on American Wages and Labor Standards, 2011–2012, in which he shows how over the past two years state legislators across the country have launched an unprecedented series of initiatives aimed at lowering labor standards, weakening unions, and eroding workplace protections for both union and non-union workers. Virginia Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington) will provide his perspective on the influence of corporate lobbies on state legislators, and EPI Vice President Ross Eisenbrey will deliver introductory remarks. Washington Post reporter Niraj Chokshi will moderate. EPI board member and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) is invited.

Some of the report’s key findings include:

  • Four states have passed laws restricting the minimum wage, four lifted restrictions on child labor, and 16 imposed new limits on benefits for the unemployed.
  • States also passed laws stripping workers of overtime rights, repealing or restricting rights to sick leave, undermining workplace safety protections, and making it harder to sue one’s employer for race or sex discrimination.
  • Legislation has been pursued making it harder for employees to recover unpaid wages (i.e., wage theft) and banning local cities and counties from establishing minimum wages or rights to sick leave.

To RSVP and receive an embargoed copy of the report, email news@epi.org.

Follow the event on Twitter with the hashtag #DefendWorkers.

 

What: Release event and panel discussion on new EPI report, The Legislative Attack on American Wages and Labor Standards, 2011–2012

 

Who: Gordon Lafer, EPI Research Associate and associate professor at the University of Oregon. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), EPI board member and Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair (invited), Virginia Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington), EPI Vice President Ross Eisenbrey, Niraj Chokshi, reporter, Washington Post

 

Where: Economic Policy Institute

1333 H Street, NW Suite 300

 

When: Thursday, October 31st at 11:00 a.m. ET