Tag: Labor Policy

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Safe Patient Limits Would Help Combat Illinois’ Nursing Shortage

Jill Gigstad

Registered nurses (RNs) contribute immensely to the well-being of society.

A new study, The Illinois Nursing Shortage: Assessing the Need for Safe Patient Limits and Collective Bargaining, by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign presents data on Illinois’ RNs educational attainment, compensation, unionization, and safe patient limits (also called “safe-staffing ratios”).

For a one page fact sheet click here. Continue reading “Safe Patient Limits Would Help Combat Illinois’ Nursing Shortage”

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The Impending Effects of the Janus Case on Public Sector Workers

Frank Manzo IV

A new report finds that a Janus decision against fair share fees would lower public sector worker earnings and have negative impacts on the U.S. economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, the “study says the expected outcome of the Janus case will shrink public-sector labor unions in 23 states.”

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Union Membership Declined in “Right-to-Work” States and Increased in Collective-Bargaining States Last Year

Frank Manzo IV

“Right-to-work” does NOT increase union membership.

Right-to-Work Laws Reduce Union Membership

The movement to implement “right-to-work” (RTW) legislation has accelerated over recent years. Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and West Virginia recently become “right-to-work” states. Missouri and Kentucky followed in 2017. Today, 28 states have “right-to-work” laws.

One of the main policy changes contributing to the decline of unionization across the United States is the ratification of “right-to-work” legislation. From 2015 to 2016, union membership in RTW states declined by over 293,000 members. Union membership declined in 20 of the 26 states (77%) with RTW laws.

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A Responsible Bidder Ordinance is a Protection Plan for Taxpayers

Frank Manzo IV

A Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO) is a policy that sets minimal requirements for all contractors bidding on publicly-funded projects in a given political jurisdiction. Typically, these requirements include proof of participation in an apprenticeship training program, proof of certificates of insurance, prequalification surveys, and compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. RBOs are a qualifications-based approach to construction contracting for public entities. The policies are a kind of “insurance policy” for taxpayers. The local ordinances establish clear, objective standards that contractors must meet in order to win bids and construct projects funded using taxpayer dollars.

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The H-2B Guest Worker Program Unnecessarily Lowers Construction Worker Wages in Illinois

Frank Manzo IV

The H-2B program grants visas to foreign workers to become employed at U.S. employers for temporary periods of time. The H-2B program is intended to address worker shortages in unskilled occupations. Migrant workers issued an H-2B visa can be employed for up to 9 months, but their visa may be extended for up to three years. Approximately 115,000 H-2B workers are currently in the United States.

The H-2B program often lowers wages for both foreign-born workers and U.S. citizens.  Continue reading “The H-2B Guest Worker Program Unnecessarily Lowers Construction Worker Wages in Illinois”