Issue Paper 11: Why Hoosier Workers Need a Strong Voice in Indianapolis Now More Than Ever

On the first day of this month we celebrated “May Day.” Also, known as International Workers' Day, or International Labor Day, May 1^st, is a date globally where we celebrate the international labor movement. In this era of transition and great need, it is also a time to reflect on what living in a “Right to Work State” means for Hoosiers.

(ID: Labor Day Logo)

The COVID-19 crisis has defined a new classification of essential workers, unlike many traditionally deemed essential, this new group makes lower wages, and have far less benefits (such as paid sick leave, emergency training, nor access to protective equipment).

(ID:Grocery workers in action.)

We need to bridge our local hiring gap to ensure all of Indiana House District 3 is afforded access to 21st Century Jobs and stand by our laborers when they fight for their quality of life. This is needed from both a philosophical stance of what is best for the people of Indiana and also as a better economic policy for our state.

(ID: Jessica Renslow advocating for equal pay with the League of Women Voters.)

• On average, workers in states with right to work laws make $6,109 a year (12.1%) less annually than workers in other states ($44,401, compared with $50,511). 

• Median household income in states with these laws is $8,174 (13.9%) less than in other states ($50,712 vs. $58,886).

• 29.6 percent of jobs in right to work states were in low-wage occupations, compared with 22.8% of jobs in other states. (Source Economic Policy Institute  “Right-to-Work” States Still Have Lower Wages)

(ID: Jessica Renslow Speaking about the positive impact of creating life long communities for all Hoosiers at Transit Day in Indianapolis. )

This lack of benefits and salary leads to a lower quality of life as well as less disposable income to help infuse Indiana’s economy. This gap impacts Hoosier businesses, discourages people from buying property and a myriad of other issues such as crushing debt.

(ID: The N.U.L. Diversity Career & Networking Expo at the National Urban League Conference was a wonderful opportunity to discuss equal opportunity employment and transportation equity for all.)

If elected, Jessica Renslow will fight to:

• Increase jobs and economic development by monitoring/ maintaining compliance of our local and targeted hiring programs.

• Bring back the outreach and pride of the labor movement into our schools by facilitating mentorship opportunities to help bridge the disconnect between our educational institutions and our regional employers.

• Promote business investment in INHD3 that is complementary to creating life-long communities.

• Revoke Right to Work Legislation

• Champion better training, access to benefits and wages for all essential workers.

• Continue to propose equal pay for all working families. (You can read more about Jessica Renslow's stance on equal pay in her 5th Issue Paper: Equal Pay Affects all of Indiana House District 3)

• Advocate for entrepreneurial education and financial literacy across INHD3 via community partnerships with local financial institutions/ business incubators.