by Lulit Shewan

An incoming Trump Administration, with its pro-business agenda, has grim plans to disrupt the labor movement’s fight for fair wages, paid family leave, and stronger workplace protections. This means that workers will not only be navigating entrenched corporate structures but also a political system that has long prioritized profitability over people. Workers in essential sectors like agriculture, food service, health care, and the gig economy continue to face stagnant wages, inadequate benefits, and precarious employment conditions. The passage of pro-worker policies in several states on Election Day speaks volumes: workers are calling for safer workplaces, livable wages, and the dignity that comes with stable and secure jobs. These victories reflect a groundswell of determination to reshape working conditions, even as policies that have been stalled or attacked now face heightened threats of rollback or further inaction. 

Workers across the United States are calling for safer workplaces, livable wages, and the dignity that comes with stable and secure jobs. These demands have fueled localized victories, from raising minimum wages to passing paid leave policies, demonstrating the power of grassroots movements to drive change where federal action has stalled. 

Grassroots organizations like Missouri Jobs with Justice, which mobilized to secure a minimum wage increase, and the Alaska Food Coalition, which has long advocated for economic stability, highlight how community-led efforts are advancing worker-centered policies. These successes underscore the potential of localized solutions to address entrenched issues such as stagnant wages, inadequate benefits, and precarious employment conditions—challenges exacerbated by federal inaction. 

As federal policies like the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) languish in legislative purgatory, local and state initiatives have stepped in to fill the gap. The failure to raise the federal minimum wage or eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers has deepened financial insecurity, disproportionately affecting Black, Indigenous, and other workers of color. Grassroots action offers a pathway to address these inequities and create tangible improvements in workers’ lives. 

Pushing for Localized Labor Solutions Informed by Grassroots Work  

Recent wins at the state and municipal levels underscore the importance of the labor movement focusing on these areas. These victories didn’t happen in isolation; they resulted from years of grassroots organizing and community-led efforts to push for change. Organizations like Missouri Jobs with Justice and Alaska Food Coalition, exemplify the power of community-led movements in achieving worker-centered policies. To amplify such efforts and achieve lasting change, progressive local governments must implement policies that address the unique needs of workers earning low wages and Black workers in particular: 

• Raise Minimum Wages to Meet the Cost of Living
  Increasing local minimum wages to align with rising living costs is critical to reducing economic insecurity, particularly for workers who earn low wages and communities of color. The wage increase victories in Alaska and Missouri indicate public support for these measures. Local governments can take steps to ensure a fair base pay that keeps up with inflation and specific regional expenses. 

• Expand Access to Paid Sick and Family Leave
  Despite recent state-level successes, many essential workers and those earning low wages still lack paid sick or family leave. Cities can enact ordinances requiring accrued paid sick days, especially for smaller employers where such benefits are often limited. This directly benefits women, people of color, and immigrant workers who are disproportionately excluded from federal protections. 

• Extend the Rights of Gig and Independent Workers
  Many gig workers, like rideshare drivers, lack collective bargaining rights, leaving them vulnerable to unfair pay and minimal benefits. Municipalities can introduce policies that grant these workers the right to unionize, negotiate wages, and secure health care access, empowering them with greater workplace protections within this growing sector. 

• Increase Wages for Tipped Workers
  Tipped workers often rely on inconsistent earnings that don’t meet minimum wage standards. Policies that gradually increase their pay toward parity with the regular minimum wage will provide more predictable income and reduce reliance on tips, which fluctuate widely across seasons and locations. This could increase workers’ economic stability and, in turn, their overall well-being. 

Federal Inaction and the Need for Grassroots Momentum 

Federal inaction remains a barrier to broader systemic change. The PRO Act and PFML are prime examples of federal policies that could transform labor conditions but have been stalled due to relentless corporate lobbying and political opposition. These policies aim to: 

• Expand union rights and protections, enabling workers to collectively bargain for better wages and conditions without fear of retaliation. 

• Provide paid family and medical leave, ensuring workers can take time off for personal or family health crises without sacrificing financial stability. 

Historically, labor reforms like the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) have faced similar fates. Despite promises from political leaders, the EFCA, which sought to simplify union organizing and enhance penalties for labor law violations, never materialized. This persistent pattern of federal inaction has eroded trust among workers, emphasizing the urgency of grassroots and local approaches to advance the labor movement. 

The victories of grassroots movements reflect the resilience and determination of workers who have long fought for fair wages, safe workplaces, and economic dignity. By prioritizing localized solutions and building on the momentum of recent state and municipal wins, the labor movement can continue to make meaningful strides. While federal policies remain essential for widespread reform, the power of community-led efforts demonstrates that change is possible—one city, state, and coalition at a time.