Economic Policy Institute

@epi

The working people's think tank for 40 years. Nonprofit + nonpartisan, we use the tools of economics to defend & promote workers' interests in economic policy discussions. epi.org Newsletter: epi.org/signup/ Federal Policy Watch: epi.org/policywatch

393 Following21,901 Followers1,091 Posts

Bluesky

Is this your profile?Claim it and epi.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

Economic Policy Institute@epi· 6d

Expansions of civil rights laws like the CROWN Act are more urgent than ever given Trump administration attacks on nondiscrimination protections & DEI initiatives.

30 states have passed some version of the CROWN act

Economic Policy Institute@epi· 16d

Unions are instrumental to protecting quality public education. States with higher levels of unionization are less likely to have universal voucher programs, which divert money away from public schools toward private schools and homeschooling. www.epi.org/blog/unions-...

States with higher unionization rates are less likely to have universal voucher programs

63% of low union density states have voucher programs
29% of medium union density states have voucher programs
6% of low union density states have voucher programs

Notes: Union density is defined as the share of workers in the state who are members of a union based on the variable "union" from EPI extracts of CPS-ORG microdata.

Source: EPI analysis of 2022-2024 Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group microdata for all workers ages 16 and older. EdChoice. School Choice in America Dashboard. Access on June 30, 2026.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· 28d

If this has got you union-positive, union-curious, or full in on workers reclaiming their stolen power from big corporations and billionaires, join a virtual conversation with the authors at 1:00 p.m. EST today us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute invites you to 50 million U.S. workers want to join a union: What if they did? A conversation with the authors of The case for tripling union membership
How rebuilding union power would strengthen workers, the economy, and our democracy

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jul 13

Imagine if 1 in 3 private-sector workers belonged to a union. What would wages, benefits, + working conditions look like? If the labor movement beat back billionaires + big corporations, what would it mean for our economy + democracy? Find out Jul 15 at 1p EST us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

50 million U.S. workers want to join a union. What if they could? Join the webinar on Wednesday, July 15 at 1:00 p.m. EST

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jun 29

What is the State of Working America and the U.S. economy halfway through 2026? Valerie Wilson, @elisegould.bsky.social and @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social discuss how current policies impact working people + families and take your questions. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute invites you to the State of Working America Economic Briefing for Q2 on Thursday, July 9 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Valerie Wilson, Elise Gould and Josh Bivens will discuss how current policies impact working people and families, solutions that create a more affordable life for everyone, and what we might expect in the coming quarter. (Now—and by popular request—with charts!)

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jun 22

The Trump administration's deployment of DHS agencies has caused irreparable harm with economic costs that are substantial—and mounting. @aaronsojourner.org @chloeneast.bsky.social @ericawilli.bsky.social break it down for you this Thursday at 1p EST. Register now us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute invites you to a webinar:
The economic costs of DHS attacks on immigrants

Thursday, June 25
1:00p.m.-2:00p.m.

Speaker
Chloe N. East and Aaron Sojourner
Moderator
Erica Williams

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jun 9

The Trump administration is attacking DEI programs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the public sector. Register today for our webinar on an actionable path to defend against these attacks + build a better society. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute invites you to a virtual event: Creating Justice in a Multiracial Democracy.
DEI and the public sector are under attack. We'll discuss an actionable path forward to defend against these attacks and build a better society for everyone.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
1:00 p.m.-2:00p.m.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jun 9

Currently, on average, it takes workers 465 days to bargain a first contract. It doesn’t have to be this way. 3/4

Timelines for selected company mergers versus first contract bargaining.

Notes: *The Starbucks-Teavana merger was held up in courts from 11/19/2012-12/4/2012 (15 days) which was deduced from the number of merger days.

The merger timelines were calculated from the date the confidentiality agreement was signed until the deal closed. The first contract timeline were calculated from the date the union won the election until a first contract was signed. In none of the above cases was a first contract signed, so the day count for Startbucks and Amazon IS ONGOING 😲

Sources: EPI analysis of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings for Starbucks and Amazon and public announcements of Starbuck-Teavana and Amazon-Whole Foods mergers

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 21

The authors and @okpolicy.bsky.social's Carly Putnam will be in conversation with EPI EVP Naomi Walker on these papers and the current ballot initiative in Oklahoma later today...and it's not too late to register! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute, Roosevelt Institute, and Oklahoma Policy Institute invite you to a webinar: A new way to think about the minimum wage. Today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern/2:00 p.m. Central

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 18

“The go-to guy on minimum wage,” according to Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, Dube has spent 2+ decades investigating why the labor market can stop working for so many and how to address these challenges. Come meet him! Register for The Wage Standard book launch 👉 share.hsforms.com/1sx9TAnGDR2C...

The Wage Standard: Book Talk & Happy Hour with Author Arin Dube

Groundwork Collaborative and the Economic Policy Institute invite you to join a conversation with author Arin Dube to celebrate the release of his new book, The Wage Standard: What's Wrong in the Labor Market and How to Fix It (Dutton, Penguin Random House). Dube takes readers through the shifting terrain of the American economy to examine what broke our labor market and how we can rebuild the wage standard right now.

“The go-to guy on minimum wage,” according to Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman, Dube has spent more than two decades investigating why the labor market can stop working for so many and how to address these challenges. The Wage Standard offers both a clear-eyed diagnosis and a hopeful, evidence-rich blueprint for building a labor market that works for all.

We’re thrilled to bring you this conversation, where leading economic experts from Groundwork Collaborative and the Economic Policy Institute will join Arin Dube to discuss the significance of this book, how it helps shape the future of labor, and what his years of research have revealed. Attendees will receive a free copy while supplies last and are invited to join us for a reception next door to follow in celebration of the book’s release.

Book Talk
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Solid State Books
600F H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Happy Hour
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Tapori
600 H St NE Suite E, Washington, D.C. 20002

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 7

In the long run, the college degree is losing its edge: Unemployment for young college graduates has risen in historical terms, and the college wage premium has been flat or falling in recent years.

College wage premium has been declining in recent year. College wage premium for all workers and young workers, 1980-2026 of employment, by selected groups. Line graph shows all work line well above the workers aged 22-27 line. Note: This series is not based in year ending March. Annual calculations are made using the usual January-December period.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 7

Certain demographic groups, such as Black and Hispanic workers, face higher unemployment and lower hourly wages, even for young people with limited work experience.

Gender and racial wage gaps are wide among young college graduates.

Table shows Average real wages for workers 22-27 with a college degree, by gender and race/ethnicity, March 2026

Overall $26.87
Women $25.47
Men $29.65
White $27.49
Black $24.88
Hispani $25.19
AAPI $30.25

Note: Data represent an average of the 36 months ending in March 2026. AAPI refers to Asian American and Pacific Islander. Race and ethnicity categories are mutually exclusive (ie white non-Hispanic, Black non-hispanic, AAPI non-Hispanic, and Hispanic any race).

Source EPI analysis of the Current Population Survey basic monthly microdata, EPI Current Population Survey Extracts, Version 2026.4.13, https://microdata.epi.org

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 7

It's not to late to join @benzipperer.org, @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social and Samantha Sanders as they cut through the AI hype to discuss it's impact and dive into policies to protect workers. Register now—we go at 1p! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute invites you to AI: Making employe disempowerment new again. A webinar focused on what will work for working people as technology evolves

Economic Policy Institute@epi· May 4

DC + DC-adjacent folks! @groundwork.bsky.social + EPI invite you meet @arindube.bsky.social at @solidstatebooksdc.bsky.social Tue May 21 as he discusses his latest book—The Wage Standard: What's Wrong in the Labor Market and How to Fix It. Space is limited!! Register today 👇 1/2

Groundwork Collaborative and Economic Policy Institute invite you to a Book Talk + Happy Hour to meet economist, professor, and "go-to guy on minimum wage" Arindrajit Dube as he discusses his latest book, The Wage Standard: What's Wrong in the Labor Market and How to Fix It". Tuesday May 19 at 5:30 p.m. Solid State Books DC, H Street location. Happy hour to follow next door at Tapori

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Apr 27

Income inequality has skyrocketed since 1979 bc intentional policy choices suppressed wages for typical families to accelerate income growth at the top. Even as the economy grew and average incomes rose, typical families fell further behind those at the top who captured most of income growth.

Chart titled Economic inequality skyrocketed after 1979. The line graph has 2 lines, one representing the top 1% and the other the middle. The middle line is nearly flat along the x axis while the top 1% line rises sharply to the right.

Note: Average market incomes for non-elderly households ranked by pre-tax, pre-transfer income deflated to 2025$ using the extended chained CPI-U, 1979-2022.

Source: Author's analysis of Congressional Budget Office, "The distribution of household income,2022", 2026.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Apr 27

Rising income inequality is the main reason that affordability feels out of reach for U.S. families. Middle-class household incomes would be roughly $30,000 higher today if their incomes had simply kept pace with average income growth since 1979. Imagine life WITHOUT this inequality tax.1/1

Chart titled The inequality tax cost the middle class $30,676 in 2022. It is line graph that shows two lines beginning at the same point growing further and further apart over time as they rise to the right. The top line represents middle class incomes with no increase in inequality and the bottom line represents actual middle class incomes.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Mar 26

What is the State of Working America and the U.S. economy in 2026? Join @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social, @benzipperer.org + Chandra Childers as they discuss how current policies impact working people and solutions that create a more affordable life for everyone. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Mar 12

Last year @benzipperer.org and @cmcnich.bsky.social wrote about the risk from both conflicts of interest and dismantling of ethics requirements. www.epi.org/publication/...

Washington Post exclusive:
Whistleblower claims ex-DOGE member says he took Social Security data to new job
The Social Security inspector general's office is investigating allegations that the former DOGE engineer took sensitive data on a thumb drive in a major potential security breach, said people familiar with the process

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Mar 10

Avid dictionary user and Policy and Economic Analyst @ninamast.bsky.social fights for U.S. worker rights, esp for the least protected like children. You've probably seen her on TV, read her work, heard her on podcasts. And she has 👏 ARRIVED 👏 with a mention in @merriam-webster.com.

Merriam-Webster, dictionary extraordinaire, Recent examples of burdensome used in a sentence: Economic Policy Institute economic analyst Nina Mast, whose research focuses on child labor standards, disagreed that the reporting system was overly burdensome to employers.

Find out why Indiana's reporting system was NOT burdensome to employers, and how it functioned as one of the last remaining protections to monitor how teen workers were being employed and what work they were being made to do in Nina's latest at https://www.epi.org/blog/indiana-lawmakers-are-once-again-trying-to-weaken-child-labor-laws-bill-sponsored-by-business-owner-would-enable-employers-to-hide-child-labor-violations/

Nina has also written on how "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime" are misleading and NOT the boon for workers the policies have been promoted to be.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Mar 9

And now for a bit of good news: 🎉 Congratulations to EPI Senior Policy & Economic Analyst (and absolute legend) Chandra Childers who was honored with a Progressive Women's Voices IMPACT Award last week at the Women's Media Center's 21st Anniversary Awards. #WomensHistoryMonth

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Feb 19

FACT: There are already federal and state programs to provide workforce training to young people while prioritizing their safety and education. 2/ Get informed 👇 wvpolicy.org/wp-content/u...

MYTHS ABOUT HB 4005
→ HB 4005 Creates a Youth Apprenticeship Program
→ HB 4005 is Only About Apprenticeships Federal Child Labor Laws are Adequate to Protect Youth Workers
→ HB 4005 is Necessary to Expand Skill Training Opportunities for Youth
VS FACTS
Proponents only talk about the changes in HB 4005 that involve apprenticeships,
but the legislation is much broader.[4] Rather than simply allowing 16- and 17-yearolds in registered apprenticeships to work in industries that are generally deemed
too hazardous for child workers, the legislation largely eliminates state-level
protections defining hazardous occupations too dangerous for all minors to work
in. In addition, the bill eliminates state-level protections limiting the time children
can work with dangerous machinery, as well as requirements for direct supervision
of dangerous work.
Put simply, HB 4005 opens up any employer to employ any child who is 16 or 17
years old to work in some industries currently banned as hazardous, even
unscrupulous employers who are not participating in safe, registered
apprenticeship environments.
Federal child labor protections have long been considered the floor, with the
Federal Labor Standards Act dictating minimum standards. Because federal law is
increasingly outdated and under threat, states have long codified federal
standards into state law and implemented additional, stronger protections to
ensure children working are doing so in safe, supervised work environments.
Current West Virginia law has stronger protections than federal rules in defining
some hazardous industries, requiring supervision of youth workers, and setting
limits on youth usage of dangerous machinery. Striking these state-level
protections as envisioned in HB 4005 will significantly reduce West Virginia’s child
labor protections.
16- and 17-year-olds can already work in most jobs, including nonhazardous jobs in inherently dangerous industries. There are also
recognized pathways in West Virginia for these m…

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 15

BREAKING: The federal minimum wage remains an official poverty wage in 2026. 😵 The annual earnings of a single adult working full-time, year-round at $7.25/hour falls below the newly released poverty threshold for any household of any size. 1/

The federal minimum wage remains under the poverty line for any household of any size in 2026.
Annual full-time earnings at the federal minimum wage and federal poverty guidelines by household size.
NOTE: Federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Poverty guideline for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
SOURCE: Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines for 2026

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 7

Concerns about minimum wage increases driving price increases are exaggerated: resulting price increase are very small, and way smaller than any wage increase because labor costs at low-wage establishments are just a fraction of total costs. irle.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u... 4/

Abstract from the white paper A $20 minimum wage: Effects on wages, employment, and prices. The salient passage, "we find that the policy increased average weekly wages for covered fast food workers by 10 to 11 percent and did not reduce employment."

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 7

We understand that this WSJ op-ed doesn't want the NYC minimum wage to rise to $17 per hour next year BUT a single person in the New York metro area needs an even higher wage to make ends meet. 3/

This is a screengrab from EPI's Family Budget Calculator showing the annual costs for a single person in the NY metro area as totaling $76,934 per year, which works out to roughly $36/hr in pay.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 7

Unsurprisingly, this WSJ op-ed gets things exactly backward. In reality, minimum wages are one of the best ways to increase the pay of low-wage workers. Taking away their wage increases will worsen the affordability crisis.

From the Wall Street Journal Opinion section on December 30, 2025: The minimum wage makes the affordability crisis worse. Higher labor costs push prices up, while fewer jobs and hours mean less money in workers' pockets.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 6

Due to structural racism, less than half of Black and Hispanic adults with enough savings to cover 3 months of expenses in case of an emergency. A savings vehicle without continued government support will only deepen existing inequities for poor families. 5/

Less than half of Black and Hispanic individuals have enough savings to maintain their standard of living in case of a job loss or other emergency. Share of adults who have enough savings to cover expenses for three months in case of emergency, 2024.

White 60.3%. Black 41.4%. Hispanic, 44.1%.

Note: Race and ethnicity are mutually exclusive (i.e. white non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic any race).

Source: Author's analysis of Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (Washington: Board of Governors, 2025)

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 6

👉 Reducing child poverty will also require confronting the low-wage employment regime sustained by an inadequate wage floor. About 67 million workers earn less than $25/hour, a threshold considerably lower than the hourly earnings of a typical worker had their pay kept pace with productivity. 4/

This is the pay-productivity gap. The gap between productivity (to which wages were once closely tied when union membership was strong) and a typical worker's compensation has increased dramatically since 1979.

Notes: Data are for compensation (wages and benefits) of production/nonsupervisory workers in the private sector and net productivity of the total economy. "Net productivity" is the growth of output of goods and services less depreciation per hour worked.

Source: EPI analysis of unpublished Total Economy Productivity data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Labor Productivity and Costs program, wage data from the BLS Current Employment Statistics, BLS Employment Cost Trends, BLS Consumer Price Index, and Bureau of Economic Analysis National Income and Product Accounts.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Jan 6

Child poverty is a defining feature of the U.S. economy. Since ’09, child poverty has declined by less than 4 percentage points, leaving the US with the second-highest child poverty rate in the rich world. Child poverty is especially harmful to children of color in the US. 😡 2/

The burden of poverty falls disproportionately over children of color. Bar chart showing the Child supplemental poverty rates by race and ethnicity in 2024. White children, 6.7%. Black children, 22.9%. Hispanic children, 21.5%. Asian children, 9.6%. American Indian and Alaskan Native children, 16/6%.

Note: Race and ethnicity are mutually exclusive for all groups except Asian and American Indian and Alaskan Native (ie. white alone non-Hispanic, Black alone non-Hispanic, Asian alon, AIAN alone or in any combination, and Hispanic any race).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty in the United States: 2024 data.

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Dec 10

Earlier this year, EPI partnered with @darkhorseviz.bsky.social to bring nearly 40 years of data, analysis, and research to life for everyday users. Their team brought design, data, and purpose together in the State of Working America Data Library. Try right now at data.epi.org 1/

The State of Working America Data Library
Up-to-date and comprehensive historical data on the American labor force.
Silver Anthem Award for Best Use of Data, DEIB

Economic Policy Institute@epi· Nov 21

As you're making the BIG grocery list this weekend, consider buying union-made. When you buy union, you're supporting: ✨ Good jobs in U.S. communities 💵 Living wages 🩺 Good benefits 🦺 Safe working conditions 🫶 Dignity and respect for workers These quality products are produced by union members 🧵