For Labor Day, the High Road Strategy Center has released the State of Working Wisconsin 2025. Our 2025 report lands at an extraordinary time for working Wisconsin. Economic growth, which began as the recovery from pandemic shutdowns, continues, and key economic indicators are solid. The state’s median wage grew to a record high of $25.01 and our labor market grew to a record 3,058,500 jobs. These are strengths to be celebrated.
Press Releases
High Road Strategy Center Releases The State of Working Wisconsin 2024
For Labor Day, the High Road Strategy Center has released The State of Working Wisconsin 2024, offering the latest data on jobs, wages, and unions, with a special focus on women workers. This year, there’s …
High Road Strategy Center Releases From Community Benefits, to Collective Bargaining, and Back: Building Worker Power in Milwaukee
On March 27, High Road Strategy Center released From Community Benefits, to Collective Bargaining, and Back that illustrates the ways in which The Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Organization (MASH) has been able to …
High Road Strategy Center Releases Covering the Bases: Community Benefits for Public Subsidies in Kansas City
In February 2024, High Road Strategy Center released Covering the Bases: Community Benefits for Public Subsidies in Kansas City that utilizes the successful Community Benefits Agreement workers at The Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers …
COWS: Releases Can’t Survive on $7.25: Higher Minimum Wages for Working Wisconsin
“With a minimum wage of just $7.25, Wisconsin is part of a shrinking number of states using the federal standard to establish the wage floor,” said Laura Dresser, report author and Associate Director of COWS. “And while many workers have seen raises in recent years, we show that a stronger wage floor would reach hundreds of thousands of workers in the state.”
COWS Releases State of Working Wisconsin 2023
For Labor Day, COWS has released the State of Working Wisconsin 2023, offering the most recent data available on jobs, wages, and unions in the state. Workers have some good news to celebrate: the past …
Facts from the Frontline: Getting By in Milwaukee’s Abundant Low Wage Service Jobs
Today, COWS released Facts from the Frontline: Getting By in Milwaukee’s Abundant Low Wage Service Jobs, a deep look into the city’s low-wage service jobs across multiple industries and occupations. The report, a collaboration with …
COWS Releases State of Working Wisconsin 2022
Today, COWS launched the State of Working Wisconsin 2022, which offers the most recent data available on wages, jobs, disparities, and unions to build a stronger understanding of what is going on in the state’s labor …
Playing with Public Money in Milwaukee: Data, Context, and Questions on Soccer Stadiums
Today, COWS released Playing with Public Money in Milwaukee: Data, Context, and Questions on Soccer Stadiums. This report offers an overview of research on the economic impact of sports arenas and information on recent public investments …
The Crisis in Milwaukee’s Service Industry
Today, COWS released The Crisis in Milwaukee’s Service Industry. This report highlights the challenges faced by low-wage workers in the service industry as well as the policy solutions that local leaders can take to address …