Problem
Union membership at historic 9.9% lows while 57 million gig workers lack basic protections. Wage stagnation persists despite record corporate profits, and automation threatens 15 million jobs without a transition framework.
Proposed Fix
Create a permanent federal jobs guarantee at $20/hour minimum with full benefits for infrastructure, care economy, and climate adaptation work. Reclassify gig workers as employees with collective bargaining rights. Restore card-check union recognition.
Economic Impact
EPI modeling shows 15 million jobs created at peak implementation. GDP growth of 1.2% annually from increased consumer spending. Union wage premium would lift median household income 16% within a decade.
Cost of Inaction
If labor power keeps eroding at current rates, gig workers remain misclassified without benefits, wage stagnation persists despite record profits, and the 17% union wage premium stays out of reach for 90% of workers.
Safeguards
- Jobs Guarantee Board with labor union majority representation
- Automatic cost-of-living adjustments tied to regional price indices
- Anti-retaliation protections with triple-damages for employer violations
- Sunset review every 10 years with mandatory congressional reauthorization
Related Legislation
- H.R. 1274 — Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act)
Introduced — referred to Education & Workforce
- H.R. 100 — Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act
Introduced — pilot program authorization
Implementation Timeline
- Pilot districtsYear 1
Launch jobs guarantee pilots in 10 high-unemployment counties with $20/hr floor and full benefits.
- PRO Act labor rightsYear 1–2
Pass PRO Act provisions: card-check recognition, gig worker reclassification, and triple-damage penalties for union-busting.
- National scale-upYear 3–5
Expand guarantee to all willing workers; Jobs Guarantee Board assumes oversight with union majority.
Sources: