Economist with Policy Matters Ohio, Michael Shields, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss his recent report on earning wage increases for the working class. Shields discussed the way’s policymakers influence wages and one of the main tools at their disposal for helping the working class improve wages.
Working people have been doing their part for a long time, and each year they get better and more efficient. As productivity increased, wages lagged behind. For example, from 1979 to 2021, Ohio saw productivity increase by 76 percent but only a 4 percent increase in wages. When this happens, it shows that the job market is not delivering in the way the system should provide for workers, Shields said.
Policymakers have a big influence on how workers get paid. If contracts were formed and developed by unions, workers could earn back some of the decision-making power from policymakers, as seen by the UAW and Teamsters. There are lots of ways policymakers can help workers and not just stick to the status quo, Shields said.
One of the main tools at policymaker's disposal would be to pass a higher minimum wage for their state. Currently, half the value of the minimum wage has been lost due to policymakers ignoring the wages. If state lawmakers would bump the minimum wage to 15 dollars per hour, it would help improve and even out the wage situation for workers.
To hear more from Shields and Policy Matters Ohio play the show above.