On Thursday, February 27 at 11 a.m. Eastern, the Economic Policy Institute and the Center for Law & Social Policy will unveil new research about the part-time pay penalty and underemployment. The reports will be shared at a press conference on Capitol Hill with U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), as well as retail workers with United for Respect and United Food & Commercial Workers.
At the press conference, economist Lonnie Golden will reveal new analysis showing the surprisingly high rate of underemployment for part-time workers, especially in jobs that have more women, workers of color, and unstable hours. Moreover, part-time workers earn significantly less hourly pay and benefits than their otherwise similar full-time counterparts. Workers from the retail sector will share the impacts of this economic insecurity on their lives.
The Congressmembers are expected to introduce the Part-Time Workers Bill of Rights Act, which would provide part-time workers more equitable pay and opportunity to work full time.
Who:
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
- Dr. Lonnie Golden, Professor at Penn State University, Abington, Research Associate at the Economic Policy Institute, and author of EPI and CLASP reports
- Jamie Pasqualetto, United for Respect Leader, former PetSmart employee
- Kirk Davis, UFCW Local 400 member, Safeway employee
- Janie Grice, United for Respect Leader, former Walmart employee
When: Thursday, February 27 at 11 a.m. Eastern
Where: U.S. Capitol Building – H-137
To RSVP, please email news@epi.org.