Podcast 29: Swine Flu and Family Leave

This podcast focuses on President Obama’s call for schoolchildren to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms. For them to do so, parents must be able to take sick time – an option only half of all Americans have, forcing many people – especially low-wage workers – to chose between their jobs and their families’ health. Ellen Wallace of Greater Boston Legal Services and Sangita Nayak of 9to5 discuss the issue.

For more information, contact Ms. Wallace at 617-603-1672, or Ms. Nayak at 414-274-0920.

Friday, Septmber 18, 2009
Download
Duration: 05:58
File Size: 2866 KB

Podcast 28: Swine Flu and Sick Days

This podcast focuses on policymaker calls for workers to stay home from their job if they have flu-like symptoms. But, only half of all American workers have paid sick days with their employer. And, low-wage workers are even less likely to have paid sick days. Heather Boushey of the Center for American Progress talks about the issue.

For more information, contact Heather Boushey at (202) 741-6247.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Download
Duration: 06:47
File Size: 3182 KB

Podcast 27: Retirement USA

This 5-minute podcast features Karen Friedman of the Pension Rights Center talking about America’s retirement system. The current system fails low-wage workers.

For more information, contact Karen Friedman at (202) 296-3776.

More information on Retirement USA can be found at www.retirement-usa.org.

Thursday, April 2, 2009
Download
Duration: 06:45
File Size: 3165 KB

Podcast 26: Paid Leave in the States: A Critical Support for Low-wage Workers and Their Families

The National Center for Children in Poverty has released a report on paid family leave. Since 1993, millions of workers have taken unpaid family leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Now, the NCCP argues that it is time to consider paid family leave. This 5-minute podcast details the issues involved.

For more information, contact Sarah Fass at (646) 284-9692.

The report can be obtained at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_864.html.

Monday, March 16, 2009
Download
Duration: 05:52
File Size: 3440 KB

Podcast 25: Principles for State Implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

The Work Poor Families Project (WPFP) issued a statement listing seven principles it hopes national policymakers will follow, that target low-wage workers as part of the newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This 5-minute podcast features Deborah Povich of WPFP talking about the principles.

For more information, contact Deborah Povich at (434) 990-4220.

The report can be obtained at http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/pdfs/ARRA_principles.pdf.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Download
Duration: 07:07
File Size: 3336 KB

Podcast 24: Budgeting for Basic Needs: A Struggle for Working Families

This podcast features Kinsey Alden Dinan of Columbia University’s National Center for Children in Poverty. She talks about a report entitled “Budgeting for Basic Needs: A Struggle for Working Families,” that was released on March 3. The report addresses the inadequacy of low wages and the difficult choices they force on low-wage families.

For more information, contact: Kinsey Alden Dinan at (646) 284-9638.

The report can be obtained at http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_858.html.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Download
Duration: 06:38
File Size: 3183 KB

Podcast 23: Direct-Care Jobs and Long-Term Care

This 5-minute podcast outlines a report by PHI, titled “Direct-Care Jobs and Long-Term Care: Untapped Engine for Job Creation and Economic Growth.” The report outlines the economic impact of direct-care jobs for personal and home care aides and home health aides which are some of the nation’s fastest growing occupations.

For more information, contact: Karen Kahn at (978) 740-9844.

The report can be obtained at www.PHInational.org.

Monday, December 8, 2008
Download
Duration: 06:01
File Size: 2887 KB

Podcast 22: Still Working Hard, Still Falling Behind

This report by the Working Poor Families Project looks at the conditions of low-wage working families relative to the parents’ education, health insurance status and housing costs, and calls for federal and state policy actions to remedy these conditions. The podcast features Brandon Roberts, head of the Working Poor Families Project.

For more information contact Brandon Roberts at (301) 657-1480.

For a copy of the report go to: http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/still_working.html.

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Download
Duration: 05:37
File Size: 5727 KB

Podcast 21: State of Working America

The State of Working America report by the Economic Policy Institute details information on how low-wage workers are particularly affected by both the current downturn in the economy and the stagnant business cycle since 2000. Authors Jared Bernstein and Heidi Shierholz explain the challenges for low-wage working families in this podcast.

For more information contact Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute at (202) 775-8810.

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Download
Duration: 09:35
File Size: 3372 KB

Podcast 20: Paid Sick Days in Milwaukee

On July 30 the Milwaukee Common Council considered a ballot initiative that would make the city the third in the nation, after San Francisco and Washington, D.C., to guarantee paid sick days for workers at locally-based companies. Recently, advocates for paid sick days submitted 42,000 petitions to the Milwaukee City Clerk demanding city action. The Milwaukee Common Council had 30 days to either pass the referendum itself or place the issue on the November ballot for approval.

Linda Meric, president of 9to5, the National Association of Working Women, and Sangita Nayak of the Milwaukee 9to5 chapter comment on both the national and local implications of the initiative.

For more information contact Sangita Nayak of 9to5 at 414-274-0920.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Download
Duration: 07:23
File Size: 3460 KB

Podcast 19: Report – Expanding the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit

This podcast features Alan Berube, fellow at the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. Mr. Berube is the co-author of a report, Metro Raise: Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit to Help Metropolitan Workers and Families, by the Brookings Institution on the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (ETIC). The report proposes that the current ETIC program be expanded and modernized to help low-wage workers meet the rising cost of living.

To view the report, please visit the Brookings Institution Web Site at: http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/05_metro_raise_berube.aspx

For more information contact: Alan Berube, Fellow, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, (202)797-6105, email: aberube@brookings.edu

Thursday, July 10, 2008
Download
Duration: 07:41
File Size: 1742 KB

Podcast 18: Report - The Invisible Care Gap

This podcast cites a report from the PHI Health Care for Health Care Workers Campaign, about the health insurance status of our nation’s caregiving workforce. Carol Reagan, national director of the campaign, examines one of America’s most dangerous jobs; employees who work in nursing homes and private homes, providing care for the health of our elders with health insurance. Astonishingly, one third of these workers don’t have health insurance for themselves. Podcast 18 examines the invisible care gap, caregivers without health coverage.

For more information contact: Carol Regan, Director, PHI Health Care for Health Care Workers Campaign, (301)-587-1225, Email:  cregan@PHInational.org

Friday, June 20, 2008
Download
Duration: 07:25
File Size: 1742 KB

Podcast 17: Paid Family Leave Now Law in New Jersey

Today, May 2, New Jersey becomes the third state (after California and Washington State) to enact paid family leave standards for its workers. The bill was signed by Governor Jon Corzine today. Financed by a small additional sum that all workers will pay into the state’s Temporary Disability Insurance program, paid family leave of up to a maximum of $525 per week for six weeks over a 12-month period will be available at the birth or adoption of a child or to care for a sick child, parent, spouse or domestic partner in New Jersey.

For More Information Contact: Jon Shure, (609) 393-1145, extension 11.

Friday, May 2, 2008
Download
Duration: 08:24
File Size: 1972 KB

Podcast 16: Report - America's Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs

This podcast cites a report by The Workforce Alliance which debunks the labor market hour glass myth of the high demand for workers with high and low levels of job skills with relatively little need for middle-skilled workers by demonstarting the need for well paying, middle skilled jobs and the need to invest in training people to fill such positions.

Fro more information contact:

Rachel Unruh
The Workforce Alliance
PH: 773-336-6078
rachelu@workforcealliance.org

Monday, November 12, 2007
Download
Duration: 07:00
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 15: A View from Low-Wage America – How Work Supports Help Fill the Gaps for Low-Wage Families

This podcast features a report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research and the Center for Policy at the University of Massachusetts, Boston entitled “Bridging the Gaps: A Picture of How Work Supports Work in Ten States.” Dr. Heather Boushey, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, discusses how work supports such as child care assistance, the Earned Income Tax Credit and food stamps help fill the gaps for low-wage families.

To view the report, please visit the Bridging the Gaps Web site at: http://www.bridgingthegaps.org/publications/nationalreport.pdf

Dr. Heather Boushey can be reached at (202) 293-5380 ext. 116 or hboushey@cepr.net

Wednesday, October 10 , 2007
Download
Duration: 05:00
File Size: 2 MB

Podcast 14: A View from Low-Wage America - On Labor Day Job Quality Cited As key to Poverty Reduction

This podcast cites a special Labor Day report by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) authored by researcher Elizabeth Lower-Basch. Ms. Lower-Basch makes the argument that improving job quality is the key to reducing poverty.

The report, embargoed for release until Labor Day, can be obtained by going to the CLASP Web site at (The full report is at: http://www.clasp.org/publications/oaw_paper1_full.pdf, the executive summary is at: http://www.clasp.org/publications/oaw_paper1_es.pdf).

In addition, Ms. Lower-Basch can be contacted by calling (202) 906-8013.

Friday, August 31, 2007
Download
Duration: 06:10
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 13: A View from Low-Wage America - Washington State 2nd State to Provide Paid Family Leave

Washington State is the second state after California to enact paid family leave legislation. Dr. Marilyn Watkins of the Seattle-based Economic Opportunity Institute comments on this innovative law in a 5-minute podcast. A fact sheet on the Washington State law can be obtained at http://www.eoionline.org/FamilyLeave/WashingtonFamilyLeaveProgram.pdf. Background information on other state based and national efforts to achieve paid family leave can be accessed at http://www.lowwagework.org/researchandreports.htm#13a

Dr. Watkins can be contacted at (206) 529-6370 or at marilyn@eoionline.org

Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Download
Duration: 04:58
File Size: 2 MB

Podcast 12: A View from Low-Wage America -Understanding Low-Wage Work
Margy Waller, Director of the Mobility Agenda in Washington, DC, talks about a study she co-authored entitled “Understanding Low-Wage Work in America.” She notes that one-in-three employees in the U.S. are low-wage workers. Frequently, low-wage workers are without paid sick days, health benefits, retirement savings accounts, and have no vacation time. This report from Inclusion's Mobility Agenda provides a clear and sobering picture of the low-wage labor market.

Ms. Waller can be contacted at (202) 339-9372 or waller@inclusionist.org

Monday, April 16, 2007
Download
Duration: 05:57
File Size: 1 MB

Podcast 11: A View from Low-Wage America -Healthy Families Act
On March 13 the Healthy Families Act was introduced in Congress. This proposed federal labor standard would require employers with 15 or more employees to provide seven paid sick days per year for workers to care for themselves and their families’ medical needs. Currently, 48 percent of all American workers do not have a single day of paid sick leave. More than three fourths of low-wage workers do not have a single day of paid sick leave. Forty-seven percent of women working in the private sector have no paid sick days. Deven McGraw, Chief Operating Officer of the National Partnership for Women & Families explains the need for paid sick leave.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Download
Duration: 04:55
File Size: 2 MB

Podcast 10: A View from Low-Wage America - The New Congress & Legislation for Low-Wage Workers
Beth Shulman, author of The Betrayal of Work, talks about what the 110th Congress needs to do to provide a real improvement to the lives of millions of low-wage workers, including raising the minimum wage.

Wednesday, January 3, 2006
Download
Duration: 06:38
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 9: A View from Low-Wage America - Minimum Wage and the 2006 Elections
This podcast features Jen Kern of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) discussing the six successful state ballot initiatives and upcoming federal legislation.

Friday, December 1, 2006
Download
Duration: 06:22
File Size: 2 MB

Podcast 8: A View from Low-Wage America - Supporting Entry-Level, Hourly Employees
The Families and Work Institute (FWI) has released a series of reports that include some of the most comprehensive analysis to date of the demographics and working situations of entry-level, hourly workers. The reports debunk common assumptions about the low-wage workforce and reveal how employers can improve productivity and retention of this segment of the workforce. Ellen Galinsky, President of FWI is featured in this 5-minute podcast.

Friday, November 1, 2006
Download
Duration: 04:45
File Size: 1 MB

Podcast 7: A View from Low-Wage America - The State of Working America
This podcast features Jared Bernstien, Economic Policy Institute (EPI) Senior Economist discussing the recently released annual EPI report, The State of Working America 2006/2007.

Friday, September 1, 2006
Download
Duration: 04:20
File Size: 2 MB


Podcast 6: A View from Low-Wage America - The Campaign for Children's Health Care
This podcast features Ron Pollack of Families USA, Sister Carol Keehan of the Catholic Health Association and Dr. Eileen Oullette of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The podcast, along with a Catholic Health Association poll on children’s health coverage is issued concurrent with the formation of the Campaign for America’s Children. The object of this campaign is to advocate in a nonpartisan way for comprehensive, high quality, affordable health care for all children. Currently, nine million children in this country are uninsured.

Monday, July 10, 2006
Download
Duration: 05:21
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 5: A View from Low-Wage America - Using the Family Resource Simulator to Make Work Supports Work
This podcast features Dr. Nancy Cauthen, Deputy Director of the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). Dr. Cauthen discusses a NCCP initiative for low-wage employees entitled “Making Work Supports Work." She notes that, ironically, as workers move up the economic ladder in terms of wages, many work supports, such as the earned income tax credit (EITC), child care subsidies, health care coverage, housing assistance and food stamps are eliminated—again reducing household incomes. The end result is a net economic loss for many low-wage earners and their families.

Monday, June 19, 2006
Download
Duration: 04:39
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 4: A View from Low-Wage America - The Minimum Wage Drive in the States
Twenty states have raised their minimum wage above the federal standard last set in 1997. And, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio and Missouri will have ballot initiatives in their state to raise the minimum wage statewide. Finally, about a dozen other states are attempting to raise their state-based minmum wage this year. Jen Kern of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now(ACORN) explains the nationwide minimum wage movement.

Thursday, June 1, 2006
Download
Duration: 05:23
File Size: 3 MB

Podcast 3: A View from Low-Wage America - The Need for Paid Sick Leave
A study on work and family policies shows that the United States lags behind much of the world by having no paid sick leave policies for workers. Dr. Jody Heymann and Debra Ness explain why paid sick leave is essential for low-wage workers in the U.S.

Monday, March 20, 2006
Download
Duration: 04:26
File Size: 2.1 MB

Podcast 2: A View from Low-Wage America - The Earned Income Tax Credit Toolkit
Low-wage employees are missing out on federal benefits because they are not filing for tax credits worth $1,000s. Corporate Voices For Working Families' EITC toolkit gives companies the tools to help employees access these benefits.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Download
Duration: 03:34
File Size: 2 MB

Podcast 1: A View from Low-wage America: The Growing Income Gap Between the top and the bottom of America's Economic Layer Cake
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) and the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities recently released a national and 50-state report showing that the gap between the highest-income families and low-wage and middle-income families grew significantly between the early 1980’s and the early 2000’s. The report suggests that in 2003 the gap began growing again. Thus, it appears that the two-decades-long trend of worsening inequality has resumed in recent years.

The Fairness Initiative on Low-Wage Work (www.lowwagework.org) is offering a three-minute podcast for reporters on its Web site. The podcast features Jared Bernstein, Senior Economist at EPI.

Monday, February 6, 2006
Download

Duration: 03:49
File Size: 1.4 MB