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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Study Shows How Wyomingites Can Get a Pay Raise and Better Benefits

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008   

Cheyenne, WY – The secret is out when it comes to better pay and benefits in Wyoming: Join a union, especially when working a lower-wage job. A new report from the Center for Economic Policy and Research shows Wyoming union members earn up to 26 percent more than their non-union counterparts. And Kim Floyd with the Wyoming AFL-CIO says union members also get benefits that have been disappearing for the non-unionized workforce.

"I'm talking about health care and prescription drug plans that are usually tied to those benefits through negotiations between the union and the employer."

Critics of unions say they unfairly cut into business bottom lines. But Floyd counters they try to partner with businesses to provide a highly qualified workforce, and unions offer additional training for employees.

Wyoming is a "right to work" state, which makes union formation difficult. Floyd hopes that will change, because unions play a positive role in the state's economic picture. He notes union-negotiated pay and benefits help reduce dependency on public assistance and help underwrite the growing expenses related to the health insurance crisis.

"There's so many people uninsured. And quite literally, union members with these good health plans are paying that bill of the uninsured."

The report also found that the union advantage for pay and benefits is smaller for those in the highest-paying jobs. The full study is available at www.cepr.net.


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