The Big Idea

Experts, politicians, and everyday Americans know that people are working harder than ever and are still struggling. Corporations have too much power and the effects are being felt throughout our economy — work is less secure and predictable, wages are stagnating, and labor union participation is declining.
Many people are talking about small pieces of the phenomenon, but nothing is being done with the urgency necessary to ensure that we do not leave people behind. To enhance prosperity and reduce inequality, Representatives DeSaulnier, Pocan, Norcross, and Dingell joined together to launch the Future of Work, Wages, and Labor initiative — which took them on a cross-country journey meeting with workers and policy experts to develop recommendations.
The report compiles the lessons they learned and provides guidance for local, state, and federal lawmakers about what options are out there to begin making changes today. Not every suggestion will be the right fit for a community, so the report highlights multiple ways to tackle similar problems.
Like President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “This country needs, and unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
We cannot afford not to.
