The Rise of Unions, Churches as Key Health Providers, and More

May 6, 2022

Frontline workers were excluded from companies’ pandemic windfalls. No wonder so many are forming unions.

Between October 2021 and March 2022, the number of union petitions filed with the National Labor Relations Board increased by a whopping 57%. With pandemic profits surging for many leading U.S. companies—and little effort from them to boost employee compensation—the trend should come as no surprise, write Molly Kinder and Laura Stateler.

People sit in the observation area after receiving a dose of the Pfizer COVID19 vaccine at Shiloh Baptist church

Why public health officials should be concerned about closing churches

Churches are central pillars of community health in predominantly Black communities, compensating for a highly inequitable public health infrastructure in America. Yusuf Ransome, Insang Song, Linh Pham, and Camille Busette explain the role of churches in providing key health services and argue for public policy that prioritizes collaborations with cultural institutions that are salient to people of color.

Fixing the broken public hearing process for new housing

“Because so much potential housing development is subject to discretion and uncertainty through public hearings, that process can stifle housing production and contribute to an ongoing housing affordability crisis.” Anika Singh Lemar offers suggestions for a more fair and effective approach to public participation in the zoning sphere.

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