FJE Policy Briefing 2018

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While there have been huge successes for workers through minimum wage increases and new paid family and sick leave policies in many states, the last few years have seen significant challenges to workers. As more industries implement precarious conditions for their employees, the ability for workers to organize and use collective bargaining strategies to improve these conditions dwindles. The continued attacks on low-wage workers in particular, the changing nature of work due to technology and automation, and the Federal Administration’s recent rollbacks of labor, health, and safety policies leave more and more workers in harm's way.

With these challenges in mind, what are the leading edge strategies toward worker and economic justice? How can funders support these efforts? The Funders for a Just Economy’s 2018 Policy Briefing will focus on labor, worker centers, and community partnerships in this era of attacks on workers. We will develop a shared analysis of the current state of labor unions and worker centers, and discuss strategies to ensure workers are protected as conditions transform. We will also discuss the opportunities for philanthropy to engage Labor, worker centers, and community groups despite these policy erosions through a funder strategy session.