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Rand Issues Commentary: When Alliances Matter - What the Israel-Iran War Reveals About Alliances Among Authoritarian States
SANTA MONICA, California, Aug. 23 -- Rand issued the following commentary on Aug. 22, 2025:
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When Alliances Matter: What the Israel-Iran War Reveals About Alliances Among Authoritarian States
By Ondrej Palicka
As air raid sirens remain quiet, Israelis and Iranians are looking to repair the damage that was done during the 12-day war in June of this year. For now, the ceasefire between the two enemies seems to be holding. Support from the West played a key role in Israel's success. In contrast, Iran had no support from its partners such as Russia or China, highlighting the shortcomings of
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SANTA MONICA, California, Aug. 23 -- Rand issued the following commentary on Aug. 22, 2025:
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When Alliances Matter: What the Israel-Iran War Reveals About Alliances Among Authoritarian States
By Ondrej Palicka
As air raid sirens remain quiet, Israelis and Iranians are looking to repair the damage that was done during the 12-day war in June of this year. For now, the ceasefire between the two enemies seems to be holding. Support from the West played a key role in Israel's success. In contrast, Iran had no support from its partners such as Russia or China, highlighting the shortcomings ofthese transactional relationships. While only a brief engagement, the war demonstrated the limits of alliances among authoritarian states.
The support that Israel receives from Western allies, the U.S. in particular, is no secret. Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz went so far as to praise Israel after the recent campaign for doing the "dirty work" for other countries.
In contrast, Iran remained alone, despite its close relations with countries such as Russia and its previously formidable Axis of Resistance proxies across the region. Before the war, the capabilities of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis had been seriously degraded, which coincided with the ousting of the Iran-aligned Assad regime in Syria. Israel in fact openly suggested that the collapse of the Axis of Resistance was one of the key factors that played into the decision to launch the attack. In addition, Tehran's international partners such as Russia have offered very little support, despite Russia recently signing a strategic partnership with the country. Moscow made clear that the "treaty does not mean the establishment of a military alliance with Iran or mutual military assistance." China limited its reaction to condemning Israel and calling for peace.
Collaboration between autocracies has certainly been growing, but the trend is driven primarily by self-interest and self-preservation. For example, Iran and China help Russia circumvent economic sanctions not out of loyalty, but primarily to reap benefits and to support a fellow regime that perceives the collective West as enemy. These transactional relations place limits on the willingness of authoritarian leaders to support their allies when it comes to blows. In June, Israel could rely on the United States for support, but Tehran was left to deal with the situation on its own, leaving it at a disadvantage.
Iran's war time isolation is a reminder that unity is key for successfully deterring and defending against adversaries. This is hardly new thinking: RAND research, coinciding with NATO's 75th anniversary last year, showed that maintaining political cohesion and unity of purpose are key elements for tackling NATO's strategic challenges. Most Western countries know this well.
France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom recently united to emphasise their support for Kyiv, and President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to Article 5 as NATO allies agreed to raise defence spending to 5 percent of GDP. Yet, divisions remain--a case in point is Slovakia and Hungary, which began vetoing EU sanctions against Russia in order to secure compromises for their own benefit. As we have seen, national policy can also change abruptly and significantly with one election. While France for example is currently promoting cooperation on the European level, even on nuclear deterrence, this could look very different with a win for the National Rally at the next election.
Pro-European and pro-NATO parties therefore seek to strengthen their position domestically; building bridges with opposition figures and reminding citizens of what is at stake. Poland, the Baltics, and the Scandinavian countries all show strong cross-party agreement on their membership in NATO, clearly identifying Russia as a security threat. Other European governments should seek to develop the same level of understanding, while clearly communicating the advantages of NATO and EU membership to their populations. The Israel-Iran war is a powerful reminder that their security and deterrence is likely to suffer considerably if they decide otherwise.
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More About This Commentary
Ondrej Palicka is a junior analyst at RAND Europe.
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Original text here: https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/08/when-alliances-matter-what-the-israel-iran-war-reveals.html
[Category: ThinkTank]
Capital Research Center: InfluenceWatch Friday - Aug. 22, 2025
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Capital Research Center issued the following wrapup:
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InfluenceWatch Friday
InfluenceWatch, a project of Capital Research Center, is a comprehensive and ever-evolving compilation of our research into the numerous advocacy groups, foundations, and donors working to influence the public policy process. The website offers transparency into these influencers' funding, motives, and connections while providing insight often neglected by other watchdog groups.
The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties research to use
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 -- The Capital Research Center issued the following wrapup:
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InfluenceWatch Friday
InfluenceWatch, a project of Capital Research Center, is a comprehensive and ever-evolving compilation of our research into the numerous advocacy groups, foundations, and donors working to influence the public policy process. The website offers transparency into these influencers' funding, motives, and connections while providing insight often neglected by other watchdog groups.
The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties research to usein reporting on significant topics that are often overlooked by the American public.
CRC is pleased to present some of the most significant additions to InfluenceWatch in the past week:
* The Courage Project is a grantmaking initiative formed in May 2025 which provides funding for left-of-center causes. It is fiscally sponsored by the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation and, according to Inside Philanthropy, was created by left-of-center foundations interested in "elevating examples that offer a counter to the Trump agenda." The Courage Project was founded through $5 million in donations from other organizations including the Freedom Together Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, and United Way Worldwide.
* Tax the Greedy Billionaires (TGB) is a left-of-center advocacy group that calls for increasing taxes on Americans with over $50 million in assets, believing that "billionaires shouldn't exist." TGB was one of many left-of-center groups which took part in the anti-Trump "No Kings" protests on June 14, 2025, coinciding with the U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., as well as President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Other organizations that took part in the protests included the ACLU, Common Cause, Community Change Action, the Human Rights Campaign, the Indivisible Project, People for the American Way, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Ultraviolet Action, and Voices of Reason.
* Partnership to End Homelessness is a collaborative initiative between the Washington, D.C. municipal government's Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, aimed at reducing homelessness within the District through grant programs and advocacy. Grant recipients include DC Jobs with Justice, the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, the Fair Budget Coalition, and ONE DC (Organizing Neighborhood Equity). Foundations which have supported the Partnership to End Homelessness include the Bainum Family Foundation, the Naomi and Nehemiah Cohen Foundation, and the Stewart R. Mott Foundation.
* Law Forward is a legal advocacy and litigation group which promotes left-of-center policies in Wisconsin. Jeff Mandell is a co-founder as well as president and general counsel of the organization. He previously served as president of the Madison Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society and was a law clerk to Judge A. Raymond Randolphof the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Between 2021 and 2023, Law Forward received funding from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the Telescope Fund, the New Venture Fund, and the Hopewell Fund.
* First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is an advocacy organization that promotes left-of-center perspectives on issues such as race/ethnicity, environmentalism, and education. One of its projects, Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, was initially funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and intended to address "the institutional and systemic nature of racism." Donors to the FAI include the National Urban Indian Family Coalition, the Ocean Conservancy, the NDN Collective, the First Nations Development Institute, the Windward Fund, the Inatai Foundation, the Tides Foundation, the Rasmuson Foundation, and the New Venture Fund.
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Jonathan Harsh holds a master's degree in political science from James Madison University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Beloit College. He edits entries and content of the InfluenceWatch website and contributes new content.
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Original text here: https://capitalresearch.org/article/influencewatch-friday-08-22-2025/
[Category: ThinkTank]
The GOP Budget Law is a Working Families Price Hike
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 [Category: ThinkTank] -- Groundwork Collaborative, a think tank and progressive advocacy group, posted the following news release:
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The GOP Budget Law is a Working Families Price Hike
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As Republicans continue to run away from facing their constituents, the Trump administration is attempting to rebrand its failing budget law. Regardless of how they spin it, the American people are not buying the GOP's working families price hike.
In response, Liz Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative, released the following statement:
"As
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 [Category: ThinkTank] -- Groundwork Collaborative, a think tank and progressive advocacy group, posted the following news release:
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The GOP Budget Law is a Working Families Price Hike
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As Republicans continue to run away from facing their constituents, the Trump administration is attempting to rebrand its failing budget law. Regardless of how they spin it, the American people are not buying the GOP's working families price hike.
In response, Liz Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative, released the following statement:
"Astheir signature legislative achievement, Republicans gave the ultra wealthy another tax giveaway and left hardworking American families holding the bag. No matter what slogan they slap on it, the GOP's economic agenda is hiking prices for working families on everything from groceries and utilities to healthcare and housing."
Background on how the GOP budget law will raise costs for working families:
* Grocery bills are rising and food access is at risk : As American families struggle to afford rising grocery prices, Trump and the GOP have cut or outright eliminated food assistance for over 22 million families. As a result, 5.3 million families - including 3.3 million families with children - will lose an average $146 in food assistance per month, or approximately $1,752 per year. As food assistance is cut, more people will turn to food banks, already stretched thin, which will not be able to keep up with the growing demand. At the same time, over 27,000 grocery stores that rely on SNAP spending are at risk. This will lead to store closures, job losses, higher prices, and reduced access to food in many communities, particularly in rural areas.
* Families will pay hundreds more in energy costs per year and miss out on thousands in savings : Households will soon spend an average of $280 more in energy costs per year as a result of the Republican budget law's repeal of clean energy tax credits, driving more than $50 billion in annual energy expenditure increases. Families in some states could see their energy costs go up by more than $600 per year. Moreover, because Trump and the GOP repealed tax credits that helped families make their homes more energy efficient - like the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit - families will also miss out on up to $2,240 in energy savings (or 70% of total energy bills) per year.
* Millions of Americans will be kicked off their health care : The Republican budget law cuts Medicaid by over $900 billion - imposing burdensome paperwork requirements on consumers, forcing states to cut Medicaid spending, and lowering quality of care. As a result, more than 14 million Americans will be kicked off their coverage, and 338 rural hospitals and 579 nursing homes throughout the country are at risk of closure.
* Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing : Health insurance companies are increasing premiums for 2026 in the individual market by an average of 18%, citing cost increases including from Trump's tariffs and GOP changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These price hikes will devastate individual consumers and small businesses: A typical premium for a family of four will rise by roughly $3,400 per year.
* Borrowers will shell out thousands more each year in unnecessary interest payments : On August 1, 2025, the Trump Administration directed student loan servicers to begin charging interest on nearly 8 million borrowers whose loans had been in deferment due to pending litigation. This move will cost borrowers an average of $3,500 more per year - or roughly $300 more per month. The law also eliminated income-based repayment plans, forcing borrowers to spend an additional $2,929 per year in loan payments. Additionally, student loan caps in the Republican budget will force millions seeking graduate and professional degrees from medical, law, and dental programs, to borrow from predatory private lenders to fill the gap - paying higher interest rates with stricter borrowing conditions as a result.
* Americans will lose out on thousands in tax credits and fuel savings for purchasing EVs : The budget law limited the $7,500 tax credit for purchasing a new EV ($4,000 for a used EV). Now, more consumers will miss out on driving an EV, which could have saved them approximately $2,200 in annual savings on fuel expenses.
* Families will also pay more at the pump : After the GOP terminated electric vehicle (EV) affordability programs and stripped existing fuel economy standards of any teeth, the price of gasoline will rise by up to 37 cents per gallon - adding to the already steep national average of $3.14 per gallon.
* Repealing clean energy tax credits threatens American jobs and economic growth : The Republican budget law slashes funding and shortens timelines for clean energy projects backed by IRA tax credits, putting at risk over 760,000 jobs tied to unfinished infrastructure and more than $565 billion in investments promised to local communities.
* At a time when Trump's policies are making housing more unaffordable, the budget law guts housing incentives and threatens affordable housing programs : The Republican budget law eliminated the energy-efficient home tax credits that saved homeowners thousands in energy bills, supported the construction of 350,000 homes in 2024, and would have supported the construction of 3 million more homes in the coming years. And, Trump's federal budget request includes a 44% reduction in overall funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and a 43% reduction in funding for rental assistance programs. Gutting these programs will lead to severe hardship for the 4.4 million households who receive HUD assistance.
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Original text here: https://groundworkcollaborative.org/news/the-gop-budget-law-is-a-working-families-price-hike/
Economic Policy Institute: New Report Examines How U.S. Investment in Public Education is at Risk
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Economic Policy Institute issued the following news release:
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New report examines how U.S. investment in public education is at risk
A new Economic Policy Institute report (https://www.epi.org/publication/u-s-investment-in-public-education-is-at-risk-vouchers-state-budget-austerity-and-federal-attacks-on-the-department-of-education-threaten-childrens-futures/) details the threats to U.S. public K-12 education resulting from state budget cuts, the rise of voucher programs, and Republican attacks on public education--finding that states with a Republican
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Economic Policy Institute issued the following news release:
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New report examines how U.S. investment in public education is at risk
A new Economic Policy Institute report (https://www.epi.org/publication/u-s-investment-in-public-education-is-at-risk-vouchers-state-budget-austerity-and-federal-attacks-on-the-department-of-education-threaten-childrens-futures/) details the threats to U.S. public K-12 education resulting from state budget cuts, the rise of voucher programs, and Republican attacks on public education--finding that states with a Republicantrifecta spend $141 less per pupil on average than states without a Republican trifecta. The funding gap is even higher in high-poverty neighborhoods, with Republican trifecta states spending $244 less per pupil.
Recent research has shown that additional money in public schools directly increases the test scores of public school students, with greater effects for students in high-poverty districts. Yet, U.S. investment in public education has been lagging since the Great Recession. Between 2011 and 2021, many states reduced their education budgets--especially those with Republican-controlled governorships and state legislatures.
As a result, the U.S. ranks extremely low among its peer countries in educational spending, with 22 countries providing more investments for public education, as measured by per-pupil spending divided by per capita GDP. And disparities in school spending are large--spending per student in high-poverty school districts was $4,000 below what was needed to provide a quality education in 2019, while spending in low-poverty districts was $5,700 above that threshold.
These state budget cuts aren't the only threat to public schools--the Trump administration is seeking to hobble or even abolish the Department of Education and undermining federal efforts to support public schools. The increasing use of universal voucher policies at the state level threatens to divert even more funds away from public school systems and to worsen the quality of education for students remaining in public schools.
"The United States became the richest country in the world in the 20th century in large part thanks to universal public education. But now state cutbacks to K-12 spending, the rise of voucher programs, and Trump's attacks on the federal Department of Education threaten to rob U.S. children of an adequate education. Policymakers should take urgent steps to fully fund public education," said Hilary Wething, EPI economist and co-author of the report.
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Original text here: https://www.epi.org/press/new-report-details-how-u-s-investment-in-public-education-is-at-risk/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Minnesota Ranks Highest in the Nation on State Support for Immigrant Students
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Minnesota ranks highest in the nation on state support for immigrant students
By Josiah Padley
A recently released report from progressive institute The Century Foundation ranked Minnesota number one in the nation for immigrant student support.
The report judged states on three primary factors; (1) how specific the language used by the state government surrounding immigrant students
... Show Full Article
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Minnesota ranks highest in the nation on state support for immigrant students
By Josiah Padley
A recently released report from progressive institute The Century Foundation ranked Minnesota number one in the nation for immigrant student support.
The report judged states on three primary factors; (1) how specific the language used by the state government surrounding immigrant studentswas, with the preferred term being "newcomers" for its broad applicability to migrants, immigrants, and asylum seekers, (2) how carefully data is collected and analyzed on "newcomer" students, with data ideally precisely organized to inform state funding, and (3) how explicitly a state names and funds programs to support "newcomer" students in its yearly state budget, with all districts in the state receiving potential funding.
While Minnesota ranked highest in the nation for immigrant student support, The Century Foundation argued that its efforts should still be considered insufficient, awarding Minnesota a 2.67 on a four point scale.
The Century Foundation did not release a detailed analysis of Minnesota-specific data, but did give Minnesota a ranking of 3 (out of 4) in the Terminology and Identification category, 2 (out of 4) in the Data Collection Category, and a 3 (out of 4) in the State-Level Funding category. No other state received a score of 3 in the State-Level Funding category.
Under the rubric provided above, no state achieved a 4 on any of the categories. The purpose of such a high, completely unreached bar appears to be a spur: designed to incite conversation and push policy towards more complex initiatives. It begs the question: should Minnesota truly receive such a poor grade on immigrant student support?
Minnesota's resources for immigrants are robust, designed to support the estimated 10 percent of Minnesota residents who are immigrants. Immigrants and refugees who enter Minnesota may not have family, community, money, or an English-speaking background. This presents a significant logistical problem for policymakers and community members who must identify, educate, support, and communicate with immigrants to enfold them into Minnesota's community. The Office of New Americans was created in 2023, joining programs like the Resettlement Programs Office, designed for refugees, and the Migratory Educational Program, designed for migratory agricultural workers.
Programs designed to help immigrant families indirectly help immigrant students -- as parents successfully assimilate to Minnesota's norms and customs, their children follow. But Minnesota's support of immigrant students doesn't just stop there. The North Star Promise program allows all Minnesota students, regardless of immigration status, with household incomes under $80,000 to attend state colleges and universities for free. English Learner Education in the state, funded through federal Title III funds, received $10.8 million in 2023 to aid the 9.6 percent of Minnesota students who are English learners. A taskforce established in 2024 will continue to look for ways to effectively utilize state funds in public school English Learner Programs. Additionally, the Immigrant Children and Youth Program uses federal funds to give immigrant children access to personalized resources, which can include family education, supplemental instruction, and cultural introductory programs. Funds are accessible all students aged 3-21.
The Manhattan Institute argues that assimilation, properly understood, is an essential part of welcoming immigrants to America and ensuring their success. To that end, they note that English acquisition is perhaps the most important piece of that puzzle, with an American education coming as a close second. As Minnesota continues to prioritize English acquisition and access to American education for immigrants, it is to be hoped that more focused programs enabling American assimilation will follow. While The Century Foundation ranked Minnesota's spending on immigrant student-specific state funds as highest out of all fifty states, the dollar amount spent on immigrant students ultimately is irrelevant. Programs must be judged on immigrant student outcomes.
These Minnesota student resources work: despite overwhelming personal challenges, many Minnesota immigrants complete high school and college. More Minnesota immigrants will attain a graduate degree than US-born natives. Furthermore, the number of foreign-born Minnesotans possessing a bachelor's degree or higher has nearly doubled since 2010. Since 2000, the amount of Minnesota immigrants who speak English "only" or "very well" has risen, even amidst rising immigration numbers.
There is still room for improvement. The scholastic achievement gap between immigrant and native-born students must be closed, high school graduation rates must increase, and the rate of immigrant English speakers in the state must continue to rise. Yet all immigrants, including immigrant students who do not complete high school, can still contribute to the state in significant ways through their involvement in the workforce. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development writes that
Wherever they work, these new Minnesotans are a vital part of the state's economy, providing rapid growth to an otherwise aging and slowing labor force. Immigrants have proven to be ready and willing contributors, with high and rising labor force participation rates. While some have educational and language barriers to certain jobs, there are a variety of occupations, including many that are in critical need of workers, where immigrants already contribute in significant numbers.
Minnesota may not now, or ever, have an expensive data-collecting system that's complex enough to satisfy The Century Foundation's dream program standards. Yet the state's tradition of welcoming immigrants and funding public programs for their support has overwhelmingly earned Minnesota's status as the highest supporter in the nation for immigrant students.
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Josiah Padley is a Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment.
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Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/minnesota-ranks-highest-in-the-nation-on-state-support-for-immigrant-students/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center of the American Experiment Issues Commentary: Feeding Our Future - 5th Bribery Conviction
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Feeding Our Future: 5th bribery conviction
By Bill Glahn
Said Shafii Farah, age 43, entered a guilty plea in the attempted juror bribery case arising out of the first Feeding Our Future courtroom trial conducted last year.
He pled guilty to one felony count. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson comments:
I watched this unfold with my own eyes--it was corruption stacked on corruption.
... Show Full Article
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minnesota, Aug. 22 -- The Center of the American Experiment, a civic and educational organization that says it creates and advocates policies, issued the following commentary on Aug. 21, 2025:
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Feeding Our Future: 5th bribery conviction
By Bill Glahn
Said Shafii Farah, age 43, entered a guilty plea in the attempted juror bribery case arising out of the first Feeding Our Future courtroom trial conducted last year.
He pled guilty to one felony count. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson comments:
I watched this unfold with my own eyes--it was corruption stacked on corruption.The Feeding Our Future scheme was already a staggering and brazen fraud. But then came something even more corrosive: a cynical attempt to buy off a juror who stood strong and refused to be corrupted. I cannot overstate how painful this was for all involved. This was an unprecedented attack on our very system of justice. It shook Minnesota to its core. Now we must grapple with how we got here--no more denial, no more looking away. We must not allow corruption and fraud to define the future of justice in Minnesota.
The full press release includes the full bribery caper backstory.
Farah has been held in the federal lockup in the Sherburne County jail since the end of the fraud trial in June 2024, more than a year ago.
Farah and his co-defendants were associated with the now-closed Empire Cuisine restaurant and market in Shakopee.
As fate would have it, Farah was one of two defendants acquitted in the 7-defendant courtroom trial last year. With the overlapping defendants between the bribery and the fraud cases, you need a scorecard to keep track of it all:
Five defendants were charged in the bribery case. Said today became the fifth and final defendant from that group to plead guilty. in the bribery case, Said pled guilty along with his younger brother Abdiaziz and his half-brother Abdulkarim.
For his bribery conviction, Said Farah faces a maximum 15 years in prison. The sentencing guidelines that appear in the plea agreement range from 51 to 78 months. Call it 4 to 6 years. He, of course, forfeits his claim on the bribe cash recovered (shown above). He may also have a fine imposed that could range up to $250,000.
The underlying Feeding Our Future fraud case has produced 52 convictions so far. Subtracting out the overlap, the fraud and bribery cases combined have seen 55 defendants convicted.
No one has been sentenced in the bribery case, as of yet.
In the Empire Cuisine fraud case, Hayat Nur is scheduled to be sentenced next week, August 26. Prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of 87 months, more than 7 years. The Defense is requesting a mere 18 months.
Ali, now age 28, has also been held in Sherburne County since the end of the trial last year.
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Bill Glahn is a Policy Fellow with Center of the American Experiment.
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Original text here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/feeding-our-future-5th-bribery-conviction/
[Category: ThinkTank]
Center for Economic and Policy Research: Black Workers See Boosts in Wages, Benefits Through Unions
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Center for Economic and Policy Research issued the following news release:
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Black Workers See Boosts in Wages, Benefits Through Unions
A new report (https://cepr.net/publications/the-union-advantage-for-black-workers/) from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows that Black workers who are represented by a union enjoy substantial benefits compared to their nonunion counterparts. Released ahead of the anniversary of the historic March on Washington, the new research demonstrates that unions are an essential element in the fight for economic
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (TNSrep) -- The Center for Economic and Policy Research issued the following news release:
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Black Workers See Boosts in Wages, Benefits Through Unions
A new report (https://cepr.net/publications/the-union-advantage-for-black-workers/) from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows that Black workers who are represented by a union enjoy substantial benefits compared to their nonunion counterparts. Released ahead of the anniversary of the historic March on Washington, the new research demonstrates that unions are an essential element in the fight for economicjustice.
The new CEPR paper - The Union Advantage for Black Workers: Wages, Benefits, and the Unfinished March - finds that Black workers with union representation enjoy a 13.2 percent hourly wage premium relative to their nonunion peers, which amounts to an extra $3.73 per hour. For Black workers without a bachelor's degree, this union advantage is even greater - they make 18.6 percent more. Unionized Black workers were also more likely than their nonunion counterparts to have employer-sponsored health insurance (15.7 percent increase) and retirement plans (53.7 percent increase). The report is based on data from the Current Population Survey from 2016 to 2024.
Though the share of Black workers represented by a union has fallen sharply over the last several decades - as it has for all workers - Black workers still have the highest representation rate (13.1 percent in 2024) across racial and ethnic groups.
The size of the union wage premium for Black workers varies by region, with the largest advantages found in the Southeast (15.5 percent) and Plains states (16.8 percent). These findings reflect both the challenges of hostile legal terrain in certain parts of the US, and the potential for unions to deliver transformative economic benefits where protections are weakest.
"Unions remain a critical tool for advancing economic justice for Black workers," said report co-author and CEPR Research Associate Hayley Brown. "Union representation is associated with higher wages and greater access to health care and retirement benefits. Strengthening unions is both a labor priority and a racial justice imperative."
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Original text here: https://cepr.net/newsroom/black-workers-see-boosts-in-wages-benefits-through-unions/
[Category: ThinkTank]
