As a research fellow in labor economics at The Heritage Foundation, James Sherk researches ways to promote competition and mobility in the workforce rather than erect barriers that prevent workers from getting ahead. Read his research.
View all authorsEconomyCommentary
President Barack Obama has pitched his new overtime regulations as a way to raise wages. However, even economists who support the change admit that’s unlikely… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Today’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ jobs report showed solid but not spectacular labor market growth in June. The payroll survey showed net employment jumping by… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Does the U.S.-Canadian speed gap bother you? Americans can drive no faster than 65 on Massachusetts highways. Meanwhile Canadian motorists zip along at speeds of… Read More
EconomyCommentary
New Labor Department regulations will soon require employers to pay overtime to many salaried workers. The administration bills this as a way to raise wages;… Read More
EconomyCommentary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May was a month of solid labor growth. The payroll survey found employers added 280,000 net new jobs,… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Los Angeles recently hiked its minimum wage to $15 an hour. Los Angeles unions strongly support this move, with a catch. They want the increase… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ April jobs report contained modestly encouraging economic news. The payroll survey showed employers added just under a quarter million net… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Labor unions have traditionally been the 800-pound gorilla of special interest groups. They have secured handouts and subsidies that other organizations’ lobbyists could only dream… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Last month Wisconsin made national headlines by becoming the 25th right-to-work state. But there’s another equally significant development in workers’ rights that has largely escaped… Read More
LawCommentary
Americans were stunned last week by graphic video of North Charleston, S.C. Police Officer Michael T. Slager shooting an unarmed suspect in the back after… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Many wonder how right-to-work laws will affect Wisconsin. To see how, consider another question: Do monopolies help or hurt customers? Until now, unions have had… Read More
EconomyAnalysis
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker made history on Monday: His signature made Wisconsin a right-to-work state. This marks symbolic and substantive milestones. Symbolically, half the country… Read More
EconomyAnalysis
Today Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed legislation making Wisconsin the nation’s 25th right-to-work state. The victory is a historic moment for the growing right-to-work movement. Workers… Read More
EconomyAnalysis
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment report found robust economic growth continued in February. Employers added 295,000 net new jobs while unemployment dropped to 5.5… Read More
EconomyAnalysis
The national spotlight has focused on Wisconsin’s push to become the nation’s 25th right-to-work state. Reporters have paid much less attention to an equally important… Read More
EconomyCommentary
What happens to pay when companies unionize? A new study by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained economist comes to a surprising conclusion: Wages fall. Dr…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
Go big or go home. That must be newly elected Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s motto. A week ago the Republican governor announced his support for… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Newly elected Illinois governor Bruce Rauner is already trying to shake up his state: He just proposed local right-to-work laws, albeit at the local rather than state… Read More
SocietyCommentary
Is Obama’s new federally-funded infrastructure package the key to strengthening our nation’s families? That’s the argument of W. Bradford Wilcox of the American Enterprise Institute… Read More
EconomyCommentary
As far as the Bureau of Labor Statistics is concerned, the economy started 2015 with a bang. The agency’s January employment figures found strong growth… Read More
EconomyCommentary
President Obama talked at length about jobs, the minimum wage and salaries during his State of the Union speech. Here we look at some of… Read More
EconomyCommentary
President Obama just urged Congress to cut workers’ wages. Of course, the news headlines did not report it as such. However, make no mistake: The… Read More
EconomyCommentary
A major economics story for conservatives slipped under the radar screen as Americans celebrated the New Year: Two more Kentucky counties passed local right-to-work laws…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
Americans of all income levels would benefit from faster economic growth that raises wages. Unfortunately, wages are being held back by the very policies supported… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The December employment reports’ headline figures show robust labor market growth. But the details of the report give less optimistic news. The economy continues to recover… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The National Labor Relations Board just charged several dozen McDonald’s franchises with unfair labor practices. In an unusual move, the NLRB also charged McDonald’s Corp…. Read More
EconomyCommentary
Many states and local governments are considering right-to-work laws. These laws make union dues voluntary. Without them, union contracts make paying dues a condition of… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Michael Romanchock recently got let go. But he was not “downsized.” His employer had no issues with his performance. Romanchock got fired for not paying… Read More
EconomyCommentary
The momentum for right-to-work measures at the local level across the country might be gaining steam. Kentucky’s Warren County, which includes the city of Bowling Green, just passed… Read More
EconomyCommentary
Eighteen-year-old Saira Blair recently made history as the youngest person elected to the West Virginia legislature. She may make history again as a lawmaker by securing passage of… Read More
