THE EFFECTS OF “RIGHT-TO-WORK” REGULATIONS ON WORKER EARNINGS, UNION MEMBERSHIP, AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

So-called “right-to-work” laws are government regulations that prohibit employers and unions from voluntarily ensuring that each member who accrues a return from collective bargaining also contributes a fair share. They allow workers to forgo union membership but require unions to continue providing services and benefits to those who do not pay. This reduces the resources … Read more

Families’ Experiences with the Child Tax Credit | Advancing Tax Equity through Administration Reforms and Community Partnerships

This report draws on the U.S. Census Household Pulse survey to illustrate important diversity in reported CTC-receipt by race, gender, income, family structure, and marital status among households who would be potentially eligible for CTC. We also summarize findings from in-depth interviews and focus groups with parents/caregivers, outreach workers, community organization stakeholders, and tax preparers … Read more

The Economic Impact of Prevailing Wage Law Repeals on Construction Market Outcomes | Evidence from Repeals Between 2015 and 2018

Prevailing wage laws establish minimum wages for skilled construction workers employed on taxpayer-funded projects. The main purpose of prevailing wage laws is to protect local construction standards in the competitive low-bid process. The laws create a level playing field for all construction contractors by ensuring that public expenditures maintain and reflect local market standards for … Read more

Economic Outcomes of Women and Children in Illinois Compared to States that Have Banned or Are Likely to Ban Abortion

Cover of the report "THE ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN ILLINOIS COMPARED TO STATES THAT HAVE BANNED OR ARE LIKELY TO BAN ABORTION" shows a semi-transparent image of three women looking downwards at something unseen. They are mid-conversation.

On June 24th of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 6-3 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade, upending a five decades-long precedent on women’s reproductive healthcare rights.Previous research has linked reproductive healthcare with improved outcomes for women and children.• The legalization of abortion reduced teen motherhood by 34 percent.• … Read more

Registered Nursing in Crisis | National Survey Reveals Insufficient Staffing, Severe Moral Distress, and High Turnover

Registered nursing faces a crisis. For over two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has stressed nurses, tested their skills and stamina, and exacerbated labor shortages. Each of these factors have significant implications for standards of patient care within America’s health care industry.Results from a fall 2021 survey of more than 2,200 registered nurses in hospitals across … Read more

THE UNION ADVANTAGE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION LABOR SHORTAGE | Evidence from Surveys of Associated General Contractors of America Member Firms

The United States is currently facing a tight labor market, and the construction industry has not been immune to its effects. Contractors have turned down work and suffered project delays due to workforce supply issues, which may stem from workers’ desire for high-quality jobs. At the same time, demand for construction workers is expected to … Read more

The Impact of Service Contract Prevailing Wage Laws in the United States and Illinois | Effects on the Labor Market Outcomes of Custodial Workers

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Prevailing wages establish minimum wages for different types of work on government contracts that are based on hourly wages and fringe benefits customarily paid for similar work in the local market. The main purpose of prevailing wages is to protect market standards in the competitive bidding process because public bodies are usually required to award … Read more

The Impact of Unions on Construction Worksite Health and Safety | Evidence from OSHA Inspections

Construction consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. This report assesses whether there are differences in safety outcomes between union and nonunion construction worksites by analyzing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations in the industry.Prior research has found that the unionized construction sector delivers higher wages, finances most … Read more

PROMOTING GOOD JOBS AND A STRONGER ECONOMY

The labor movement has historically provided U.S. workers with reliable pathways into good, middle-class jobs. Union membership, however, has gradually declined across America. A primary driver of this decline has been the spread of so-called “right-to-work” laws, which allow workersto receive all the services and benefits of collective bargaining– such as higher wages, better health … Read more