Workplace Innovation and Labor Policy Leadership: A Challenge to Business, Labor, and Government

Publication Date:

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): Thomas A. Kochan; Eileen Appelbaum; Jody Hoffer Gittell; Carrie Leana; Richard A. Gephardt

Research Area: Economics

Keywords: Recession; Labor policy; Unemployment rate

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

President Obama and Congress have taken actions to respond to the deepening economic crisis and have embarked on an ambitious strategy to transform the U.S. economy to once again make it work for all Americans. However, converting the economic stimulus into solid jobs and the high productivity needed to sustain them will require major changes in labor management relations, workplace practices and labor policies.

This paper suggests a multi-pronged strategy for achieving the transformation in policies and practices needed to support the economic recovery program, resolve the impasse over labor law, and ensure that middle class workers share in the economic recovery.