Groundwork Collaborative

"If you're a billionaire in America, you have a lot to be thankful for." — AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler before testifying before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs this week. We can’t continue this pattern of prioritizing billionaires over working families. It's time to support the workers who actually keep our economy running.

Trump’s 2017 “$2 trillion tax scam” lines the pockets of billionaires while hardworking Americans are left to foot the bill. Senator Elizabeth Warren is gearing up to fight for a fairer tax system, and her message is clear: a just economy requires a tax code that prioritizes working families over wealthy donors. With the 2025 tax fight on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s time to end corporate giveaways and create a tax system that serves everyone—not just the wealthy few. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geB8KkTn

French fries shouldn’t be a luxury item—but allegations of price-fixing by major potato producers show how consolidation in food markets hurts families and small businesses. From raising prices on frozen potato products by 47% to leveraging their dominance over 95% of the market, these companies are putting profits over people. As Groundwork Collaborative’s Executive Director, Lindsay A. Owens, PhD, said: “When there are only a handful of players in the market, collusion is too appetizing for these companies to pass up. Price fixers must be held accountable, but we must also work to make food markets more competitive.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gE5qkGhd

"Anyway you look at it, extending these expired provisions will increase income inequality, cutting taxes for rich people while giving pennies to everyone else." — Brendan Duke testifying before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Extending tax cuts for the wealthy is a policy choice that will have long-term negative consequences for the American economy and the people who need help the most.

The 2017 tax law?gave trillions in tax cuts to billionaires and corporations while leaving working families behind. Today, leaders like Liz Shuler, MARC MORIAL, and Brendan Duke highlighted the failures of these trickle-down policies and urged Congress to prioritize working families. Congress must fight for tax fairness for everyday Americans. Executive Director Lindsay A. Owens, PhD on today's Senate Banking hearing: https://bit.ly/40XUSTk

Swifties know Ticketmaster and Live Nation's monopolistic practices and price manipulation all too well — and now they’re taking action with a lawsuit accusing the companies of these practices under the RICO Act. This case goes beyond a single tour. Ticketmaster’s outsized market power means higher prices, fewer choices, and more frustration for consumers. With nearly 80% of the market share, Ticketmaster and Live Nation have built a stranglehold on ticket sales, driving up prices and squeezing out competition. https://lnkd.in/gxVrjJ9B

ICYMI: The Federal Trade Commission took action against H&R Block’s misleading “free” tax filing ads. With a proposed settlement, consumers stand to benefit from: ? Easier downgrades – no more phone calls or lost data ? Transparency about “free” filing? ? A $7M payout to those harmed by these deceptive practices. https://lnkd.in/erHDvdy9

Housing is just one of many areas where corporations are using deceptive tactics to unfairly raise prices. The RealPage case is a prime example of how algorithmic pricing is being used to manipulate the rental market, pushing rents higher and making housing less affordable for millions of families. This isn’t just bad business—it’s price-fixing, plain and simple. It's time to put an end to this collusion and protect renters. https://lnkd.in/e44NWBKb

Two new academic papers from Dr. Isabella Weber and colleagues advance our understanding of: 1?? How corporations used the incidence of supply constraints and cost shocks to implicitly coordinate and raise prices, and? 2?? How profit increases in the oil and gas sector generated a range of negative side effects – in addition to higher costs – including exacerbating inequality and slowing the clean energy transition. Read more in The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/eze8jkv4

ICYMI: The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has overturned a nearly 40-year-old precedent, ruling that employers can no longer discourage unionization by hinting that it will negatively affect the relationship between employees and management. This ruling is a major victory for workers, especially those at Starbucks, who’ve faced illegal threats while trying to organize. Now, they can make their own decisions about unionizing without fear of retaliation or losing their voice. https://lnkd.in/eSUvt3QZ