In the Lead
COVID-19 Related Long-Term Unemployment Could Lead to Long-Term Scarring, Especially for Women of Color
Almost four in ten unemployed women have now been out of work long-term, for 27 weeks or longer. Between February 2020 and January 2021, the number of unemployed women almost doubled (from 2.7 to 4.8 million), but the number of long-term unemployed more than tripled (from 491,000 to 1.9 million). While the overall rate of unemployment fell slightly in January (to 6.3%), the share of unemployed women who were unemployed for more than half a year increased (to 38.9%). Added [...]
Weekly News Roundup – February 22 to 26, 2021
House Legislation and Presidential Action (02/26/21) Raising the minimum wage in the American Rescue Plan was nixed by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough. MacDonough is the unelected, nonpartisan interpreter of chamber rules, commonly referred to as the Senate referee. She asserts that the push to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour did not meet the strict requirements of reconciliation, a process that allows the majority party to pass big-ticket legislation with a 51-vote majority. The full scale of this decision will [...]
As Low Wage Care Jobs Projected to Increase Over the Decade, the Minimum Wage Needs to Increase Too
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the pernicious effect of deep racial and gender inequities in the labor market. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) 10-year projections about growing (and declining) jobs suggest a grim post-COVID future. The projections are published annually after extensive consultations about likely change for 790 detailed occupations with industry and demographic experts; for 2019-2029 they estimate that there will be 4.78 million more workers in the workforce in 2029 than in 2019 and their model [...]
What Women Want – IWPR National Survey Details Priorities for the New Administration
A new National Survey by IWPR finds in first 100 days and beyond, affordable, high-quality healthcare, getting the economic recession under control, and job creation are top priorities for women for the new Administration and Congress. Women have been most affected by the COVID-incited economic downturn
Congress Considers a Minimum Wage Boost – What the Fight for 15 Means for Women
Big things are happening for the minimum wage. The Raise the Wage Act, which includes a $15 minimum wage and full elimination of the subminimum wage for tipped workers, disabled workers, and youth continues to move through Congress. If passed in the House of Representatives, the bill would move to the Senate, where the Senate Parliamentarian will decide if the Raise the Wage Act will remain a part Biden’s existing COVID relief plan. If it does not move forward with [...]
Weekly News Roundup – February 15 to 19, 2021
Employment and Earnings (02/18/21) The White House has introduced a proposed minimum wage hike. The minimum wage would increase to $15/hour in increments, finalizing in 2025. Though this would be instrumental to workers, especially those brutally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden is doubtful that they will pass in his $1.9TL COVID relief plan, citing the need for bipartisan support. Luckily, this bill can and will continue as a standalone if it does not move forward in the relief [...]