The past year has amplified the deep divides in wealth and power that exist between workers and employers. With a new series of in-depth reports, the Clean Slate for Worker Power project continues its work to reimagine U.S. labor law in ways that will allow working people—of all identities and geographies—to reclaim economic and political power and to realize workplace democracy.
The COVID-19 crisis has further exposed existing fissures in the U.S. economy. As a follow up to the original Clean Slate report and our pandemic response report, the Principles of Sectoral Bargaining report provides resources for constructing an effective sectoral bargaining system in America. The broad-based organizing and bargaining that is at the core of a sectoral system is essential for worker power and workplace democracy, and it can help heal the fissures within our economy.
In the original Clean Slate report shows how current labor law unduly limits the range of subjects over which workers have a right to bargain, and it argues that workers deserve the right to negotiate over the full range of decisions that impact their lives. The Mandatory Subjects of Bargaining report explores four options for a new system of bargaining obligations.
Current law forecloses badly needed labor law experimentation at the state and city level. New rules permitting state and local innovation are critical, and it must be carefully crafted to enhance—not diminish—collective action and collective bargaining rights. The Overcoming Federal Preemption report outlines options for reform, making clear that federal labor law should be a floor for the protection of labor rights.
Please also reference two additional reports produced in partnership with the Great Democracy Initiative:
Stay up to date on news, ideas, and actions as we work to make Clean Slate for Worker Power’s bold recommendations a reality.
