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STATE OF INEQUALITY

Exploring income inequality in the land of milk and money.
State of Inequality

Critical Audit of California’s Efforts to Reduce Homelessness Has Silver Linings

Despite transparency concerns, the state auditor’s report says two programs focusing on housing and preventing homelessness are cost-effective.

State of Inequality

Dispelling the Stereotypes About California’s Low-Wage Workers

Contrary to common beliefs, many Californians in low-wage jobs are in the later stages of their work lives. They also play a crucial role in taking care of the state’s aging population.

State of Inequality

No, the New Minimum Wage Won’t Wreck the Fast Food Industry or the Economy

Studies have repeatedly shown wage increases bring few job cuts and boost local economies.

State of Inequality

Los Angeles Hotel Workers Could Use the 2028 Olympics to Their Advantage

New contracts will expire six months before the Games, giving workers an opening to pit public attention against employers.

State of Inequality

Nurses Union Says State Watchdog Does Not Adequately Investigate Staffing Crisis

The California Department of Public Health says the agency is enforcing state requirements, despite deep budget cuts.

State of Inequality

Long Beach Hotel Workers on Track to Earn the Highest Minimum Wage in the Nation

A ballot measure to raise pay to $23 an hour could help workers in labor negotiations and boost the local economy.

State of Inequality

Why It Is Time for Newsom and the Legislature to Get Serious About Mental Health in California

It is one of the state’s greatest health needs, companies fail to live up to their policies, and the state does not invest what is needed for enforcement.

State of Inequality

Labor Scores a Victory at Cal State Campuses

Rejecting years of unequal treatment, 20,000 low-paid California State University student assistants and workers vote to organize.

State of Inequality

Why Labor Is Losing Even as It Wins

Weak laws embolden combative employers, so even with big wins and all-time high support, union membership is not keeping up with workforce growth.

State of Inequality

A Hospital’s Overflowing Emergency Room, Our Sick Health System

Thousands of low-income patients cannot survive without MLK Hospital. The South L.A. hospital cannot survive on what it is paid by public insurance.

State of Inequality

More Than Half of Californians Skip or Delay Medical Care Due to Cost

For many, premiums and deductibles now take three times more out of one’s budget than 20 years ago, UC Berkeley study shows.

State of Inequality

Many Cal State Rank and File Say They Will Vote Against January Contract Deal

A pay system that does not guarantee raise agreements is a key reason.

State of Inequality

Cal State Faculty Union Strike Settlement Starts the Year With Another Labor Win

Despite a 10% raise, professors, lecturers, coaches, counselors and others will return to contract negotiations within months.

State of Inequality

Hospital Workers Fired After Protesting Short Staffing Sue for Damages

Nine Lynwood St. Francis Medical Center staffers say they were fired as retaliation for leading union protests against staff cuts.

State of Inequality

For Young Californians, More Health Insurance Does Not Mean Better Health Care

In coverage for key areas including immunizations, mental health and well-child visits, insurers fail to deliver for those 26 and younger.

State of Inequality

Power Play: No Limits Mean PG&E May Raise Rates Again for Northern and Central Californians

A $33 a month average rate hike took effect Jan. 1. Now PG&E wants up to $20 a month more. Reformers say it is time to cap annual increases.

State of Inequality

Union Negotiating Strategy Pays Off in SoCal Hotel Deals

In the face of weak labor laws, hospitality workers brought their fight for better wages and working conditions to the court of public opinion.

State of Inequality

California Mandates to Improve Pay and Benefits Will Take Effect in 2024

Minimum wages to rise statewide, with larger gains for fast food and health workers. More paid sick leave, workplace violence prevention rules and other worker protections are also to begin Jan. 1.

State of Inequality

Are Unions About to Reverse 40 Years of Decline?

A rare mix of big strike wins, broad public support and a labor-friendly economy could drive union membership growth.

State of Inequality

Cal State Walkouts May Build to a Faculty and Staff Strike

California Faculty Association members seeking a pay raise walked out at four of the 23 campuses this week.

State of Inequality

Why 16 Million Households in Northern and Central California Are About to Pay More for Electricity

With no cap on price increases for California’s utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric will hike rates 13%, which it says is needed for upgrades.

State of Inequality

As Public Support for Unions Grows, U.S. Laws Still Favor Employers

The laws that helped pull unionization down to near 10% remain on the books — but six out of 10 U.S. adults now say declining unionization is bad for the country.

State of Inequality

Californians Want Government Action Against Fading Economic Prospects

More than 7 out of 10 think children will be worse off than their parents and favor spending on tax credits, child care and job training.

State of Inequality

After Five Years in Fighting Disney in Courts, Anaheim Living Wage Law to Take Effect

Despite the long delay to raise resort workers’ wages close to $20 an hour, their 2018 victory inspired labor collaboration driving current strikes.

State of Inequality

Poverty and Long COVID Go Together

The lowest income Californians are more likely to have lingering symptoms, and more likely to lose jobs.

State of Inequality

Toothless Laws Allow the Los Angeles Hotel Strike to Stall

All sides must bargain in “good faith,” but U.S. labor laws do not say what that means, and penalties are weak.

State of Inequality

U.S. Undoes Progress on Child Poverty as Spending Cuts Take Priority

The end of pandemic relief programs is returning millions of children to poverty.

State of Inequality

In Los Angeles Hospital Strike, Nurses Say Staffing Is Issue No. 1

Cuts and turnover, even more than pay, make their jobs impossible, they say.

State of Inequality

Newsom Said Cost Made Him Veto Unemployment Pay for Strikers. Unions Say It Was Disrespect.

The bill passed by the California Legislature would have limited benefits to keep state payments manageable.

State of Inequality

California Is Last Among States Mandating Paid Sick Leave

California requires a minimum of three sick days, the least among 15 states. A bill to raise it to five days is opposed by the business lobby as it awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature.

State of Inequality

Unemployment for Hollywood’s Striking Writers and Stars? It’s Newsom’s Move Now.

Governor could leap past politics and sign unemployment bill just to keep striking workers in an uneven game.

State of Inequality

Who Needs a $25 Minimum Wage?

Likely all Los Angeles workers, says a new study of pay and expenses. But the political will is not yet there.

State of Inequality

No Help for California Youths Denied Mental Health Care

As insurers reject coverage amid soaring anxiety and depression, a bill to help children and teens is quietly killed.

State of Inequality

Los Angeles Hotel Workers Turn Up Media Pressure Amid Boycott Efforts

When one conference declined to cancel, a union walkout helped drive other concessions.

State of Inequality

Striking Workers Face Another Opponent: U.S. Labor Laws

Unionizing is not against the law; but the law is against unionizing.

State of Inequality

Amid the New Normal of COVID, There’s an Old Normal Too

Low-income working families and people of color continue to be hit hardest.

State of Inequality

Unions Are Also Fighting Weak Labor Laws

Outdated 1935 federal labor act makes violations hard to prove, penalties easy to pay.

State of Inequality

Americans With Health Insurance Are Increasingly Putting Off Important Medical Treatments They Can’t Afford

Health insurance CEOs pocket millions while citizens can’t pay the out-of-pocket.

State of Inequality

How Striking Hollywood Creators and Hotel Housekeepers Face the Same Obstacles

With consolidation and industry diversification, corporate studio and hotel owners have more money to wait out strikes.

State of Inequality

Only Five of California’s 120 Legislators Are Renters; They Have United to Fight for Tenants

The renters’ caucus is pushing to win both protections and political clout for the state’s 17 million renters.

State of Inequality

How Deeply Does Our Health Care System Discriminate?

Even the safest hospitals still display wide gaps in health outcomes based on patients’ skin color.

State of Inequality

Pandemic Relief Program Left Many California Renters Struggling

Puzzling denials and delays still plague some who seemed to qualify for help.

State of Inequality

Just Because You Think You Are Tipping a Service Worker Doesn’t Mean You Are

Two California cases probe who is pocketing those extra fees tacked onto your restaurant tab.

State of Inequality

Hollywood Writers Have a Word for It: Inequality

From Cocaine Bear to Panda Express, the fight for a living wage is the same.

State of Inequality

A Wildly Ambitious New Bill Would Raise the Minimum Wage for Hundreds of Thousands in California

How to help health care workers live where they are employed.

State of Inequality

Unfinished Mental Health Business For Governor Newsom

While it ponders ambitious new laws to improve mental health, California could strengthen what’s already on the books.

State of Inequality

Working Full Time and Functionally Broke

Millions in the Golden State are failing to keep on the right side of the growing wealth divide.

State of Inequality

LAUSD’s $4.9 Billion Question

The district’s massive cash reserve could cover the demands of striking workers. There is a way, but is there the will?

State of Inequality

Dragging California’s Child Care Crisis Into the Light

With parents forced to quit work to replace workers they can’t afford, the child care system is in full disarray.

State of Inequality

California Holds Its Breath as Supreme Court Weighs Student Loan Forgiveness

The economic future of millions of Californians hangs in the balance.