An L.A. Story: Unions Show Signs of Life

https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/06/in-los-angeles-unions-show-signs-of-life

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

6 November 2014

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The minimum wage issue has been debated endlessly, with arguments both for and against its effectiveness. An increase, tested in some states and enacted in others, immeasurably betters the quality of life for low-income families.

A Scorecard for Companies With a Conscience

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/a-scorecard-for-companies-with-a-conscience

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

11 April 2011

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For triple-bottom-line businesses, there are no guarantees that responsible practices will continue after a sale of the company. 'B corp', a new form of corporation in the United States, is one that aims to maximize not just profit, but social and environmental good.

Bangladesh's Chance to Get It Right

https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/bangladeshs-chance-to-get-it-right

Amy Yee

The New York Times

23 April 2014

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Bangladesh has often struggled maintaining safety in the workplace. But a new effort ensures that Bangladeshi workers are trained about how to better follow security and safety restrictions to create a safer working environment.

Ethical Businesses With a Better Bottom Line

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/14/ethical-businesses-with-a-better-bottom-line

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

14 April 2011

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Corporations concerned about their social and environmental impact must also consider the costs. Bcorps, a new form of corporation in the U.S., are using a rigorous certification process to gain consumers trust and boost sales.

Foreclosure Is Not an Option

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/06/foreclosure-is-not-an-option

David Bornstein

The New York Times

6 December 2010

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Foreclosure affects millions of homeowners and millions more owe more on their mortgages than what their homes are worth, but Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP), offers assistance. As a free service to borrowers, ESOP holds lenders accountable with fair lending agreements, creates constructive communication, and ultimately saves homes.

Living-wage' movement growing in region

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/wage-523783-living-long.html

Margot Roosevelt

Orange County Register

1 September 2013

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In the past five years, as federal and state minimum wage levels failed to keep pace with the cost of living, and as the recession took its toll, the living wage movement has accelerated. Across the United States, more than 125 cities and counties have enacted ordinances or passed ballot initiatives to lift the wages of the working poor.

Most Bangladeshi garment workers are women, but their union leaders weren't. Until now.

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-09-16/most-bangladeshi-garment-workers-are-women-their-union-leaders-werent-until-now

Bruce Wallace

Public Radio International (PRI)

16 September 2015

Radio / 5-15 Minutes

After years of banning labor unions in Bangladesh, garment workers unionized to fight for higher wages and safer working conditions. For women, this isn't traditionally a space they were welcomed in, but now they’re holding their own meetings to ensure women’s safety is ensured on the job.

In Florida Tomato Fields, a Penny Buys Progress

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/business/in-florida-tomato-fields-a-penny-buys-progress.html

Steven Greenhouse

The New York Times

24 April 2014

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For decades, migrant workers in Florida have been employed under dreadful conditions, picking produce without breaks under extreme temperatures and women being sexually harassed. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has demanded that growers increase wages, mandate rest breaks, and prohibit sexual harassment. The Coalition has partnered with big food companies, notably McDonald’s, Yum Brands, and Walmart, which have pledged to buy only from growers who follow these standards.

Playing the Odds on Saving

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/playing-the-odds-on-saving

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

15 January 2014

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Lotteries aren’t usually considered part of the solution to a savings crisis experienced across America, particularly by the nation's poor, but with more hopefuls purchasing lottery tickets than setting aside rainy day funds, one organization, Doorways to Dreams, is working to change federal and state laws to allow banks to offer prize-linked savings. In Michigan, the programs have seen some success.

Health Care for a Changing Work Force

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/health-care-for-a-changing-work-force

David Bornstein

The New York Times

1 December 2011

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America’s system of health care is based on an old industrial-era model, without taking into account a decentralized, mobile, independent workforce that remains largely unprotected without health and unemployment insurance. The Freelancers Insurance Company, based in New York State, offers competitive premiums by having their executives receive salaries at low wages. The model keeps costs under control, which in turn makes health care more accessible to independent workers.