Ear to the Ground

Recent Reports Reveal Antisemitism Is On the Rise 

Truthdig staff / Truthdig Jan 13, 2023 New surveys point to antisemitism in the workplace. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Illinois Governor to Reinstate Thousands of Suspended Driver’s Licenses

By Melissa Sanchez / ProPublica and Elliott Ramos / WBEZ Chicago Jan 20, 2020 Gov. J.B. Pritzker's newly signed legislation seeks to break the link between income level and access to mobility and valid identification. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

U.S. Adds a Solid 128,000 Jobs in October, Despite GM Strike

JOSH BOAK and BANI SAPNA / The Associated Press Nov 1, 2019 The sturdy labor market remains a vital source of strength for the economy and makes the Federal Reserve less likely to cut interest rates. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Permanent Temp Economy

Louise Rubacky / Truthdig Jan 25, 2019 A chronicle of the rise of temporary work, from World War II to the present, shows how corporations maximize profit by dumping employees from payrolls. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Judge Blocks Trump Birth Control Coverage Rules in 13 States

SUDHIN THANAWALA / The Associated Press Jan 13, 2019 The federal court action in California prevents employers from opting out of providing no-cost contraceptives as a lawsuit moves forward. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Employers Are Doing Irreversible Damage to Older Workers’ Lives

Peter Gosselin / ProPublica Jan 3, 2019 A new data analysis shows more than half of U.S. workers over 50 are pushed out of longtime jobs before they choose to retire. Dig deeper ( 20 Min. Read )

Blue Wave or Red Wave? No Way to Tell.

Barbara Koeppel / Truthdig Nov 1, 2018 A 1,500-mile interviewing trek through America's heartland reveals that Democrats and Republicans remain polarized ahead of the midterms. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Why Gig Companies Want to Call Their Workers Independent Contractors

By Jennifer Gollan / Reveal Sep 8, 2018 A California court ruling makes it harder for companies to classify employees as independent contractors. Gig economy companies are pushing back. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Gig Economy and Outsourcing: A Dark Net of Near Slavery

Julian Vigo / Truthdig Sep 7, 2018 The gig economy is being driven by those who seek to cut costs; this begins and ends with their ability to wiggle out of being considered “employers” in any sense. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

New Zealand Company Experiments With a Four-Day Workweek

Ilana Novick / Truthdig Jul 19, 2018 Its supervisors praise the initiative, citing increased productivity and a happier staff. The firm’s board may make the change permanent. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Business Economists Suggest the U.S. Could Face a Recession in 2020

Ilana Novick Jun 4, 2018 A rosy jobs report doesn’t tell the whole story. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Bernie Sanders to Unveil Jobs Guarantee Plan

Emily Wells / Truthdig Apr 24, 2018 The plan would promise a job paying at least $15 an hour and health care benefits for every American worker. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )