Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
We're a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank using the tools of economics to defend & promote workers' interests in economic policy discussions.
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epi.org
Podcast: epi.org/podcast/
Newsletter: epi.org/signup/
Federal Policy Watch: epi.org/policywatch
Pinned
Economic Policy Institute
@epi.org
· Apr 28
The federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage in 2025
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a “poverty wage.” The annual earnings of a single adult working full-time, year-round at $7.25 an hour now fall below the poverty threshold of $15,650 (...
www.epi.org
In 2025, the federal minimum wage is officially a poverty wage ⚠️
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
In the US, no one can live with dignity on $7.25/hr.
But instead of raising the minimum wage, Republicans are trying to cut Medicaid & make it harder for workers to access basic needs programs like SNAP: www.epi.org/blog/the-fed...
Q4 is ripe with layoffs while CEO's continue to make 281 times as much as typical workers. It's time to re-balance the scales.
Read more: www.epi.org/publication/...
Read more: www.epi.org/publication/...
November 24, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Q4 is ripe with layoffs while CEO's continue to make 281 times as much as typical workers. It's time to re-balance the scales.
Read more: www.epi.org/publication/...
Read more: www.epi.org/publication/...
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 🧵
✨ 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 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
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 🧵
✨ 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 🧵
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
We have the bill AND the bipartisan support to restore union rights for 1 million federal workers!
It’s time to get it done.
Tell your representatives: pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...
It’s time to get it done.
Tell your representatives: pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
We have the bill AND the bipartisan support to restore union rights for 1 million federal workers!
It’s time to get it done.
Tell your representatives: pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...
It’s time to get it done.
Tell your representatives: pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act! act.aflcio.org/call_campaig...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
The Hispanic unemployment rate (UR) increased slightly to 5.5% in September. This is the 3rd consecutive increase since June. While the UR for Latinos fell slightly to 4.6%, the UR for Latinas climbed to 5.5%. The Latina UR was 1 p.p. lower (4.5%) in June. #EconSky #JobsDay
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
🚨 Big tech billionaire attempts to ban state regulation of AI are unpopular, dangerous, and not in the public interest.
These bans will make it easier for employers to discriminate, lower worker pay, steal creative work, spy on workers, retaliate and union bust. It doesn’t have to be this way →
These bans will make it easier for employers to discriminate, lower worker pay, steal creative work, spy on workers, retaliate and union bust. It doesn’t have to be this way →
How Banning State Regulation of AI Harms Workers — We Build Progress
webuildprogress.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
🚨 Big tech billionaire attempts to ban state regulation of AI are unpopular, dangerous, and not in the public interest.
These bans will make it easier for employers to discriminate, lower worker pay, steal creative work, spy on workers, retaliate and union bust. It doesn’t have to be this way →
These bans will make it easier for employers to discriminate, lower worker pay, steal creative work, spy on workers, retaliate and union bust. It doesn’t have to be this way →
Since the Department of Labor isn’t recognizing Women in Apprenticeship Day this year, we’ll do what women in the trades always do:
Roll up our sleeves and get it done ourselves 🛠️
#TWTF #WomenInTheTrades #WomenInApprenticeship
1/
Roll up our sleeves and get it done ourselves 🛠️
#TWTF #WomenInTheTrades #WomenInApprenticeship
1/
Measuring diversity in construction apprenticeship programs: Data show higher rates of participation of women, Hispanic workers, and workers of color in union-based apprenticeships than nonunion progr...
Registered apprenticeship programs represent the lifeblood of the construction industry. These vital workforce development programs—which typically do not require a nickel of student debt or governmen...
www.epi.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Since the Department of Labor isn’t recognizing Women in Apprenticeship Day this year, we’ll do what women in the trades always do:
Roll up our sleeves and get it done ourselves 🛠️
#TWTF #WomenInTheTrades #WomenInApprenticeship
1/
Roll up our sleeves and get it done ourselves 🛠️
#TWTF #WomenInTheTrades #WomenInApprenticeship
1/
EPI's @elisegould.bsky.social with the #JobsDay analysis you've been waiting for all shutdown.
Note: the data is for Sept BEFORE the shutdown began
Note: the data is for Sept BEFORE the shutdown began
November 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
EPI's @elisegould.bsky.social with the #JobsDay analysis you've been waiting for all shutdown.
Note: the data is for Sept BEFORE the shutdown began
Note: the data is for Sept BEFORE the shutdown began
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
If the arrests and detentions continue to escalate, it will be a major blow to North Carolina's labor market, particularly the state's construction industry
Four years of Trump's deportations could reduce NC construction employment by 25%
Four years of Trump's deportations could reduce NC construction employment by 25%
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
If the arrests and detentions continue to escalate, it will be a major blow to North Carolina's labor market, particularly the state's construction industry
Four years of Trump's deportations could reduce NC construction employment by 25%
Four years of Trump's deportations could reduce NC construction employment by 25%
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
Requiring employers to disclose salary information in job postings increased competition for jobs and raised wages
Cool new study of 11 states and 5 municipalities
A simple policy for states and localities to boost wages by a modest but meaningful amount
Cool new study of 11 states and 5 municipalities
A simple policy for states and localities to boost wages by a modest but meaningful amount
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Requiring employers to disclose salary information in job postings increased competition for jobs and raised wages
Cool new study of 11 states and 5 municipalities
A simple policy for states and localities to boost wages by a modest but meaningful amount
Cool new study of 11 states and 5 municipalities
A simple policy for states and localities to boost wages by a modest but meaningful amount
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
More data release dates provided today at www.bls.gov/bls/2025-lap...
After tomorrow's release of September 2025 #Jobs data, I'll be looking forward to #JOLTS on December 9 and Jobs on Dec 16. These will be highly unusual with catchup data on the establishment side.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
After tomorrow's release of September 2025 #Jobs data, I'll be looking forward to #JOLTS on December 9 and Jobs on Dec 16. These will be highly unusual with catchup data on the establishment side.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
More data release dates provided today at www.bls.gov/bls/2025-lap...
After tomorrow's release of September 2025 #Jobs data, I'll be looking forward to #JOLTS on December 9 and Jobs on Dec 16. These will be highly unusual with catchup data on the establishment side.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
After tomorrow's release of September 2025 #Jobs data, I'll be looking forward to #JOLTS on December 9 and Jobs on Dec 16. These will be highly unusual with catchup data on the establishment side.
#NumbersDay #EconSky @epi.org
At least 10 states have rolled back child labor protections.
Today, children as young as 13 are working in hazardous environments like meatpacking plants, warehouses, and tobacco fields — often at the expense of their health, education, and safety. 1/
Today, children as young as 13 are working in hazardous environments like meatpacking plants, warehouses, and tobacco fields — often at the expense of their health, education, and safety. 1/
Coordinated attacks on state labor standards are laying the groundwork for dangerous Project 2025 proposals to undermine all workers’ rights
Following a growing trend, Republican lawmakers this year proposed legislation in Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio that would undermine federal laws on child labor, minimum wage, and worker health and safe...
www.epi.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
At least 10 states have rolled back child labor protections.
Today, children as young as 13 are working in hazardous environments like meatpacking plants, warehouses, and tobacco fields — often at the expense of their health, education, and safety. 1/
Today, children as young as 13 are working in hazardous environments like meatpacking plants, warehouses, and tobacco fields — often at the expense of their health, education, and safety. 1/
Once unthinkable, child labor is back — in headlines and workplaces.
How did we get here? What can we do?
EPI’s Nina Mast will join @AspenEOP tomorrow for Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US → as.pn/childlabor #TalkOpportunity 1/
How did we get here? What can we do?
EPI’s Nina Mast will join @AspenEOP tomorrow for Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US → as.pn/childlabor #TalkOpportunity 1/
Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US
November 19
as.pn
November 18, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Once unthinkable, child labor is back — in headlines and workplaces.
How did we get here? What can we do?
EPI’s Nina Mast will join @AspenEOP tomorrow for Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US → as.pn/childlabor #TalkOpportunity 1/
How did we get here? What can we do?
EPI’s Nina Mast will join @AspenEOP tomorrow for Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US → as.pn/childlabor #TalkOpportunity 1/
The federal statistical agencies (FSAs) that produce the gold standard economic data employers/investors/job seekers/workers/policymakers rely on to assess the health of the U.S. economy face unprecedented threats.
We've pulled next-best data from non-FSA sources to help keep an eye on things. 1/
We've pulled next-best data from non-FSA sources to help keep an eye on things. 1/
Data accountability dashboard
Federal statistical agencies (FSAs) produce the gold standard economic data that employers, investors, job seekers, workers, and policymakers rely on to assess the health of the U.S. economy. Today, F...
www.epi.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The federal statistical agencies (FSAs) that produce the gold standard economic data employers/investors/job seekers/workers/policymakers rely on to assess the health of the U.S. economy face unprecedented threats.
We've pulled next-best data from non-FSA sources to help keep an eye on things. 1/
We've pulled next-best data from non-FSA sources to help keep an eye on things. 1/
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen praises @epi.org proposals to tax the rich www.epi.org/press/u-s-se...
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen praises EPI proposals to tax the rich
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) welcomed the release of EPI’s new report that shares proposals on taxing the ultrarich: "Donald Trump and Republicans have made crystal clear where their...
www.epi.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen praises @epi.org proposals to tax the rich www.epi.org/press/u-s-se...
Reposted by Economic Policy Institute
How to raise taxes on the rich, via @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social @epi.org
www.epi.org/publication/...
www.epi.org/publication/...
November 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
How to raise taxes on the rich, via @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social @epi.org
www.epi.org/publication/...
www.epi.org/publication/...
The public has supported raising taxes on the ultrarich and corporations for years, but policymakers have failed to act.
→ Raising taxes on the rich makes good economic and political sense.
EPI’s latest report from @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social 1/
→ Raising taxes on the rich makes good economic and political sense.
EPI’s latest report from @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social 1/
Raising taxes on the ultrarich: A necessary first step to restore faith in American democracy and the public sector
Summary The public has supported raising taxes on the ultrarich and corporations for years, but policymakers have not responded. Small increases in taxes on the rich that were instituted during time...
www.epi.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The public has supported raising taxes on the ultrarich and corporations for years, but policymakers have failed to act.
→ Raising taxes on the rich makes good economic and political sense.
EPI’s latest report from @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social 1/
→ Raising taxes on the rich makes good economic and political sense.
EPI’s latest report from @joshbivens-econ.bsky.social 1/
Trump and his cronies claim “children want to work in dangerous jobs,” so states should be allowed to ignore federal child labor laws.
State lawmakers! Now is the time to step up and ensure their laws protect children’s health and well-being.
State lawmakers! Now is the time to step up and ensure their laws protect children’s health and well-being.
Child labor standards: State solutions to the U.S. worker rights crisis
What does current federal law say about child labor? The 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets guidelines for the hours and nonhazardous jobs for which employers can hire minors under 16. The FLSA...
www.epi.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Trump and his cronies claim “children want to work in dangerous jobs,” so states should be allowed to ignore federal child labor laws.
State lawmakers! Now is the time to step up and ensure their laws protect children’s health and well-being.
State lawmakers! Now is the time to step up and ensure their laws protect children’s health and well-being.
It's that time of the week #econsky when @elisegould.bsky.social and @joe-fast.bsky.social dig into unemployment insurance claims ↴
The large uptick in federal unemployment insurance claims in the initial spate of layoffs last spring have been overshadowed nearly 10 fold by the UI claims of federal workers after the end of the fiscal year, in the longest ever government shutdown.
#NumbersDay #EconSky
#NumbersDay #EconSky
November 13, 2025 at 11:36 PM
It's that time of the week #econsky when @elisegould.bsky.social and @joe-fast.bsky.social dig into unemployment insurance claims ↴
Trump is attacking anti-discrimination by removing EEOC commissioners, limiting data collection, & limiting the EEOC’s purpose. The White House is also directing the EEOC to threaten states’ funding to limit the kinds of discrimination cases they can pursue.
It doesn't have to be this way.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Workplace nondiscrimination protections: State solutions to the U.S. worker rights crisis
What does current federal law say about workplace nondiscrimination protections? Discrimination in the workplace—either in employment, promotion, job assignments, pay, benefits, discipline, discharge,...
www.epi.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Trump is attacking anti-discrimination by removing EEOC commissioners, limiting data collection, & limiting the EEOC’s purpose. The White House is also directing the EEOC to threaten states’ funding to limit the kinds of discrimination cases they can pursue.
It doesn't have to be this way.
It doesn't have to be this way.
More scenes from the @nationalnurses.bsky.social rally at University Medical Center New Orleans yesterday. There's still time today to show your support for nurses.
November 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
More scenes from the @nationalnurses.bsky.social rally at University Medical Center New Orleans yesterday. There's still time today to show your support for nurses.
In some states, cities and counties can establish a higher minimum wage to better address local costs of living.
In other states, lawmakers are blocking local leaders from setting adequate wage requirements.
Does your city have the power to raise its own minimum wage?
1/
In other states, lawmakers are blocking local leaders from setting adequate wage requirements.
Does your city have the power to raise its own minimum wage?
1/
Minimum wage: State solutions to the U.S. worker rights crisis
What does current federal law say about minimum wages? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes a “floor under wages” mandating that employers pay covered employees no less than a minimum hourl...
www.epi.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM
In some states, cities and counties can establish a higher minimum wage to better address local costs of living.
In other states, lawmakers are blocking local leaders from setting adequate wage requirements.
Does your city have the power to raise its own minimum wage?
1/
In other states, lawmakers are blocking local leaders from setting adequate wage requirements.
Does your city have the power to raise its own minimum wage?
1/
The sign game is strong with this one #Solidarity
November 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The sign game is strong with this one #Solidarity
✊ This morning EARNCon and EPI will be standing with @nationalnurses.bsky.social who won a historic union election 2 YEARS AGO and University Medical Center has yet to settle their first contract. 1/
University Medical Center nurses vote yes to join NNOC/NNU in historic union election for New Orleans, Louisiana
Registered nurses at University Medical Center (UMC) in New Orleans, La., have voted in favor of joining National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United. Despite a disgusting union-busting...
www.nationalnursesunited.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:29 PM
✊ This morning EARNCon and EPI will be standing with @nationalnurses.bsky.social who won a historic union election 2 YEARS AGO and University Medical Center has yet to settle their first contract. 1/
The Trump-Vance administration’s relentless attacks on basic needs programs, access to data, and economic equity are straining the capacity of the federal government to address Native disparities in poverty, nutrition, and health care access, find @icidmartinez.bsky.social and Stevie Marvin. 1/
Trump is slashing safety nets for Native communities: This will widen disparities in poverty, food insecurity, and health care access
Trump is straining the capacity of the federal government to meet its obligations to Tribal Nations and communities. This began even before the ongoing shutdown, with the administration’s persistent a...
www.epi.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The Trump-Vance administration’s relentless attacks on basic needs programs, access to data, and economic equity are straining the capacity of the federal government to address Native disparities in poverty, nutrition, and health care access, find @icidmartinez.bsky.social and Stevie Marvin. 1/