GZERO World Clips
Power to the workers? What historical trends suggest about newfound employee influence

Power to the Workers? What Historical Trends Suggest About Newfound Employee Influence | GZERO World

During the initial stages of COVID, Americans responded to shortages of basic items by making them domestically.
That's a blip that'll likely end once the economy (really) goes back to normal, says economist and University of Chicago professor Austan Goolsbee.
"Why," he asks Ian Bremmer on GZERO World, "do we have a giant warehouse full of socks that we made here that we could buy on the open market for one third the price, and we could just have shipped here when we need them?"
The same can be said of workers having more bargaining power with corporations. Goolsbee believes that sooner or later employers will regain the upper hand, while remote work will come with strings attached.
175: The number of people killed at an Iranian girls’ school in a strike on Feb. 28. Initial intelligence reports suggest that the US was to blame for the strike, per the New York Times, after the military used a now-defunct set of coordinates to deploy the hit.
Strong communities start with opportunity. Bank of America invested nearly $40 million in workforce development programs in 2025 — helping 86,400 people connect to jobs, and 264,000 build new skills that strengthen local economies. Explore how Bank of America is building the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.