David Madland

Here's the key figure

Why Gen Z Men Are the Most Pro-Union Generation in History: Unions Build Stable Finances Gen Z men support unions more strongly than any other group, both today and when older generations were their age. Looking at the gains from union membership for young men, it’s easy to understand why...

www.americanprogress.org/article/why-...

Trump's approval rating among working class now underwater by 28 points A new poll found that people earning under $50,000 were more likely to report dissatisfaction with the president's job performance.

www.newsweek.com/donald-trump...

> Between 1995 and 2021 (our sample period), there were a total of 47 individuals who have been a congressional leader; 20 of whom made stock trades both before and after ascension to leadership.

Union Trigger Laws 101: How States Can Protect Workers if Federal Labor Law Falls Trump and conservative courts are threatening to end Americans’ right to unionize. Here is how cities and states can prepare if the National Labor Relations Act is struck down or ceases to be enforced...

www.americanprogress.org/article/unio...

www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

Everybody likes unions—policymakers shouldn't stand in the way of our right to organize.

Everybody Likes Unions At a time when Americans cannot agree on many things, unions have achieved popularity across nearly every age group regardless of partisan affiliation or education.

New analysis shows everybody likes unions (except Republican Boomers)

www.americanprogress.org/article/ever...

Clear language leads to clear thought which leads to better political debate. Say what you mean.

Politics and the English Language | The Orwell Foundation "Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind."

I have been thinking a lot about George Orwell's classic essay arguing that fuzzy language enables the defense of the indefensible. Headlines in today's papers are a case in point: "Donald Trump Jr. Pitches ‘Patriotic Capitalism’ at Saudi Summit"
www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-f...

Unemployment insurance for striking workers: A low-cost policy that’s good for workers and state economies Lawmakers across the country are increasingly recognizing that making striking workers eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) is good for workers and good economics.

And @rrepnnad.bsky.social studied the practical (and positive) impact of unemployment insurance for striking workers in this report

655: Number of Starbucks stores where workers have voted to unionize
609: Days since Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) announced on February 27, 2024 a path forward
1,000+: Unfair labor practice charges that SBWU has alleged

The Fight to Unionize Starbucks by the Numbers Thousands of unionized Starbucks workers across the country are ramping up pressure on the corporation to finalize a first contract that could boost take home pay, hours, benefits, and working conditi...

www.americanprogress.org/article/the-...

How labor unions revived New Deal model for nursing home staff The idea has roots in the 1940s era expansion of labor unions and the ‘fight for 15’ of more recent vintage.

Featuring @seiuhcmnia.bsky.social @kandrias.bsky.social @davidmadland.bsky.social.
www.minnpost.com/state-govern...

I've got lots of solutions.

Dollar Store Workers Fight to Improve Jobs, Even Without a Union With unionization dropping under Trump, experts say “premajority” campaigns can help workers score wins.

Good story on the challenges of trying to form a union in retail in the South with a broken NLRA.
capitalandmain.com/dollar-store...

State Rideshare Collective Bargaining Policies Hold Great Promise A state model will test whether a simpler path to a union and sectoral bargaining can build power for Uber and Lyft drivers and improve jobs in the industry.

For more background on this new policy see:
www.governing.com/workforce/ca...

www.americanprogress.org/article/stat...

Governor Newsom signs landmark worker legislation, in stark contrast to Trump’s assault on workers and government shutdown | Governor of California

www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/03/g...

The Working Class Wants Policymakers To Reward Work and Listen to Their Values Research and events from the American Worker Project and others show that working-class families are struggling and want elected officials to focus on rewarding work while also representing their posi...

www.americanprogressaction.org/article/the-...

Will certainly be interesting to see how much Starbucks store closures overlap with unionized stores.

Majorities of adults see decline of union membership as bad for the U.S. and working people The share of U.S. workers who belonged to a union in 2024 stood at 9.9%, down from 1983 when 20.1% of American workers were union members.

www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

Trump Takes Aim at Minimum Wage The current administration continues its assault on the working class.

With all the noise it has been easy to miss the ways Trump has been undermining minimum wage protections
progressive.org/op-eds/trump...

California Will Revolutionize Rideshare Industry With New Union Policy A forthcoming state law will create the single largest new pool of workers with collective bargaining rights in decades.

www.governing.com/workforce/ca...

Public Officials Should Use Their Bully Pulpit To Support Worker Organizing and Bargaining Pro-worker policymakers should use public and private rhetoric to support organizing campaigns and ensure government spending creates high-quality union jobs.

The bully pulpit can have real impact
www.americanprogress.org/article/publ...

Good move by @gallego.senate.gov leading 15 Senators to fight union busting by using the power of the bully pulpit
www.gallego.senate.gov/press-releas...

Here's the key graph showing a large increase in collective bargaining coverage after labor reforms

Australian Sectoral Bargaining Reforms Show Early Promise Recently adopted labor reforms in Australia have helped increase collective bargaining coverage, union membership, and wage growth and may serve as a model for pro-labor advocates in the United States...

New report showing recently adopted labor reforms in Australia have helped increase collective bargaining coverage, union membership, and wage growth and may serve as a model for pro-labor advocates in the United States. www.americanprogress.org/article/aust...

SEIU California | 800,000 CA Rideshare Drivers’ Fight for Union Rights Enters Final Stretch as Senate Passes Landmark Legislation (AB 1340, Wicks, Berman) he Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today applauded State Senators for supporting Assembly Bill 1340 (Wicks, Berman) to give California’s more than 800,000…

This is HISTORY. 800,000 rideshare drivers are on the verge of winning their union rights. The Senate just passed #AB1340. After a quick assm concurrence vote, it heads directly to Governor @GavinNewsom. Workers fought, organized and WON. #CaLeg

seiuca.org/press-releas...

Maybe the will come around on collective bargaining and realize that sectoral bargaining improves working conditions and creates a level playing field

I agree with McDonald's efforts to create a more level playing field
www.msn.com/en-us/food-a...