About the Authors: Erin George is an Economist at the Women’s Bureau. Gretchen Livingston is a Survey Statistician at the Women’s Bureau.  March 12 is Equal Pay Day – which represents the date into the year women must work in order to earn the same amount as the average man the previous year. But what does that mean? And what can we say about the gender wage gap today?  Source: U.S. DOL Here are five fast facts:  Overall, women are paid less than men. On average, women working full-time, year-round are paid 84% of what men are paid. In other words, the typical woman wo ..read more

We know that women often put the needs of others before their own, even when it comes to their physical and mental health and financial security. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate women and are sharing tips to help you learn more about your rights and options when it comes to safeguarding your health and planning for retirement.  With factors like the wage gap, women working more frequently in part-time jobs with less access to retirement plans and interrupting their careers to take care of loved ones, saving for retirement can be a challenge. On top of that, women tend to live lo ..read more

About the Author: Dayton Martindale is a freelance writer and former associate editor at In These Times. His work has also appeared in Boston Review, Earth Island Journal, Harbinger and The Next System Project. Follow him on Twitter: @DaytonRMartind. This blog originally appeared at In These Times on March 18, 2024. ten•ant un•ion noun 1. an organization of renters who organize to collectively bargain with their shared landlord 2. a neighborhood-wide or citywide group that works to protect tenants’ rights Why do tenants need a union? In a phra ..read more

Understanding employment conditions Understanding employment conditions is crucial for every worker. It involves knowing your rights and obligations in the workplace. Here are some key points to keep in mind: ○ Employment conditions refer to the terms of your employment, such as working hours, wages, leave entitlements, and other benefits. ○ Familiarize yourself with your employment contract to understand the specificconditions that apply to your role. ○ Employment conditions may be governed by labor laws, industry standards, or collective bargaining agreements. ○ It’s important to stay inform ..read more

What is unfair dismissal? Unfair dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated from their job in a way that is considered unjust. This can include being fired without a valid reason, being let go due to discrimination, or being dismissed after exercising a legal right, such as taking maternity leave or joining a trade union. Key indicators of unfair dismissal can include being terminated for an unreasonable cause, lack of a fair disciplinary process, and being dismissed in a discriminatory manner. It’s important to be aware of your employment rights and seekappropriate legal advice if you be ..read more

Alex Han For so many of us, these are mostly dark times interrupted by brief windows of hope — and the road ahead is daunting. No matter how this year’s presidential election plays out, the contest’s ultimate winner will surely be pessimism, one of the few things Americans across the political spectrum seem to be in alignment on: pessimism for the future, pessimism for possibilities of transformation, pessimism for the idea that justice will win the day. We exist in a political system built on institutions seemingly unable to fulfill even the basic function of producing policies that ..read more

Maximillian Alvarez Baltimore has become what many consider to be ground zero in the emerging ​“solidarity economy” and the formation of worker-owned, cooperatively run businesses. There’s something important going on here, and there’s a lot that we can all learn from our fellow workers who are in the cooperative space — people who are living, breathing proof that there’s another way to run a business, that there’s another way to run our economy, and that there are other ways we can treat work and workers. At a recent event hosted by the Baltimore Museum of Industry titled ..read more

Sarah Jaffe Andrea Villanueva was in bargaining five days ago, negotiating a new contract for herself and 500 other retail janitors who clean some of the Twin Cities’ most recognizable stores. A group of building security workers, also members of Villanueva’s union SEIU Local 26, were also in negotiations in the same building. The workers bumped into one another in the hallways as the day went on — stopping to cheer each other on and express their solidarity. Local 26 is just one of a major network of unions and community groups in Minneap ..read more

Sarah Jaffe Andrea Villanueva was in bargaining five days ago, negotiating a new contract for herself and 500 other retail janitors who clean some of the Twin Cities’ most recognizable stores. A group of building security workers, also members of Villanueva’s union SEIU Local 26, were also in negotiations in the same building. The workers bumped into one another in the hallways as the day went on — stopping to cheer each other on and express their solidarity. Local 26 is just one of a major network of unions and community groups in Minneap ..read more

Employment education encompasses the essential knowledge and skills that every worker should have. It includes understanding employment laws and regulations, knowing how to effectively communicate in the workplace, having a good grasp of time management, being aware of workplace ethics, and understanding the importance of professional development. Importance of employment education for workers Employment education equips workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the workforce. It can help individuals understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, as well as ..read more