Washington D.C. – Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) criticized the New York City Council’s  inflexible work scheduling bill and “Worker Empowerment” labor union organizing bill, both of which are being introduced today. Among other provisions, the curiously-named Fair Work Week bill would require fast food employers to post shift schedules at least two weeks in advance and pay a penalty for any subsequent changes. The […]

Washington D.C. – Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released four new mini-documentaries featuring victims of dramatic minimum wage increases. As another round of coordinated minimum wage protests occur tomorrow, the consequences of dramatic starter wage increases -- including lost jobs, reduced hours, and business closures -- are playing out in real time. EPI has been documenting these consequences through its project Faces of $15. The stories […]

Washington D.C. – Ballot measures in Maine, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington to dramatically raise the starter wage appear to have passed. An EPI analysis of campaign finance data shows that this outcome is likely the result of a flood of money from labor unions and labor-backed organizations, much of it from out of state. That money overwhelmed small businesses’ warnings that many entry-level jobs would […]

Washington D.C. – Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released a new video featuring DiMillo's on the Water in Portland, ME. Owner Steve DiMillo explains that he supports a responsible increase in the minimum wage, but warns that a proposed 220 percent increase in the special tipped wage threatens his employees and the future of his family's restaurant. View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q0roXsknyY DiMillo explains that his tipped staff […]

Washington D.C. – Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) highlighted the placement of a full-page ad in the Pueblo Chieftain and Aurora Sentinel showcasing how a $12 minimum wage cuts of the bottom rungs of the career ladder for less-skilled employees. The ad also points to research finding that a $12 minimum wage would eliminate job opportunities for as many as 90,000 less-skilled employees. View the ad, which ran […]

Washington D.C. – Today, the Employment Policies Institute (EPI) released an analysis of new campaign finance data from the Maine Ethics Commission which shows that the Mainers for Fair Wages political action committee (PAC) has received at least 75 percent of its monetary contributions from out-of-state donors. These donors include national labor unions, other labor-funded PACs, and labor-aligned advocacy groups. The disclosures show that Mainers for Fair Wages PAC may have received as […]