Future of Work in Massachusetts Paper Series
The Labor Resource Center is pleased to announce a new paper series: The Future of Work Paper Series. This series of papers will include work by faculty, students, and activists, and will explore a broad range of issues that affect working people in Massachusetts, from current conditions and policies, to lessons we can draw from past labor struggles and experiences.
Paper No. 4:
"Gaming in Massachusetts:
Can Casinos bring 'Good Jobs' to the Commonwealth?"
by Marlene Kim, Susan Moir, and Anneta Argyres.
This study examines the quality of jobs in the United States gaming industry and analyzes enabling legislation in five states that have legalized gaming. The authors find that the gaming industry -- particularly the unionized sector of the casino hotel industry -- provides good jobs with good wages and benefits for workers with less than a high school degree. The authors conlcude that workforce development efforts in Masschusetts must include strategies to address improving the quality of entry-level jobs.
Click here to read paper (pdf format)
Paper No. 3a:
"Building Trades Apprentice Training in Massachusetts:
An Analysis of Union and Non-Union Programs, 1997-2007"
by Anneta Argyres and Susan Moir.
This study provides an analysis and comparison of the efficacy and sustainability of union and non-union building trades apprentice training programs in Massachusetts. The authors analyzed several outcome variables including total enrollment levels and completion rates; enrollment and completion rates for minorities, women and other non-traditional populations; and program size and sustainability. Based on the findings, the authors offer recommendations to the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training.
Click here to read paper (pdf format)
Paper
No. 2:
“Sharing the Costs, Reaping the Benefits: Paid Family and Medical
Leave in Massachusetts,”
by Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews.
This report provides an analysis of the costs and benefits associated with Massachusetts Senate President Robert Travaglini's proposed family and medical leave insurance program (April 2006). The authors developed a simulation model to estimate the employer and employee wage costs when employees take paid and unpaid family and medical leaves, and they use this model to compare the current costs with those predicted under the Travaglini proposal.
Click here to read paper (pdf format)
For information about how the authors estimated the costs of the program and the specifics about their model, please follow the link below to "IWPR/LRC Paid Family and Medical Leave Simulation Model," originally reported as an Appendix in their report to the IWPR.