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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

SSRP applications are now open! Social Sciences Research Pathways is a yearlong paid research development program that connects @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social undergrads with grad student mentors to conduct hands-on research. Learn more and apply: irle.berkeley.edu/student-opportuni…

A roomful of students sit in the a conference room smiling toward the camera

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Register today: The Gender Wage Gap Conference, Sept 17 and 18 at IRLE This in-person conference features research examining reasons for gender wage gaps around the world and policy responses to them. #EconSky

The Gender Wage Gap
Special Issue Conference

Featuring research from Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society

Thu, Sept 17 and Fri, Sept 18
IRLE Conference Room
2521 Channing Way, Berkeley

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Effects of a $20 Minimum Wage: The latest from Michael Reich and @dsosinskiy.bsky.social on California’s landmark $20 fast food minimum wage provides some of the strongest evidence yet that substantial wage increases can improve worker earnings without reducing employment. #EconSky

Effects of a $20 Minimum Wage: Evidence from Granular
Data on Wages, Employment and Prices

DENIS SOSINSKIY, University of California, Berkeley
MICHAEL REICH, University of California, Berkeley
April 1, 2026

Abstract
On April 1, 2024, California implemented a $20 hourly wage floor for workers in large chains in fast food restaurants and snack and non-alcoholic beverage bars. The new standard, which corresponds to 69 percent of the state’s median full-time wage, surpasses all prior benchmarks in minimum wage policies and research. We use difference-in-differences (DiD) and triple difference (DDD) event study methods and granular data that permit distinguishing trends affecting the entire industry from those caused by the new minimum wage policy. Our granular pay data come from Glassdoor job postings and Square payroll data, granular mobility-based employment data from Advan, and
granular prices scraped from over 2,000 restaurants in California and control states.

We find that the policy increased average weekly wages for covered fast food workers by about 11 percent and did not reduce employment. Compared to controls, prices increased by 1.5 percent, equivalent to 6 cents for a $4 item. Employers passed about 50 percent of the higher wage costs to consumers as higher prices, consistent with a monopsony model.

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Can economic policy make life more affordable? Join us next Wednesday for a special seminar with @jaredb-econ.bsky.social, @lauradtyson.bsky.social, @jrothst.bsky.social and Michael Reich. Event details: irle.berkeley.edu/event/can-ec...

Special Seminar. Can Economic Policy Make Life More Affordable? Jared Bernstein, former chair, Biden administration’s Council of Economic Advisers

Discussants: Jesse Rothstein (Public Policy, Economics) and Laura Tyson (Haas)

Moderated by Michael Reich (CWED). Wednesday, March 11
4:00–5:30 PM
IRLE Conference Room
2521 Channing Way

irle.berkeley.edu/events. Numerous polls show widespread dissatisfaction with the U.S. economy and, by extension, with both major political parties. In response, Democrats and Republicans are advancing competing approaches to make the economy more affordable.

Can either approach succeed?

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Miranda Dietz @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social explains why it's a problem that 1 in 3 new Covered California enrollees chose the cheapest, highest deductible health plans in the the latest from @ab-ibarra.bsky.social @calmatters.org Read the article: calmatters.org/health/2026/...

Those out-of-pocket costs do impact people's decisions to get care, so that's worrisome as well. Miranda Dietz, Health Care Program Director, UC Berkeley Labor Center.

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Danielle Mahones @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social breaks down why educators across California are striking for fully funded classrooms, appropriate staffing, access to quality healthcare, and more in the latest from @kqednews.kqed.org Listen and read: www.kqed.org/news/1207316...

They are organizing together across districts with parents and students to demand the schools that every California student deserves. Danielle Mahones, UC Berkeley Labor center, on the wage of CA teacher strikes

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Great job alert! @capolicylab.bsky.social is hiring a labor economics researcher for a remote or hybrid (LA) role. Design and conduct policy-relevant research in partnership with state and local agencies in California. Learn more and please share widely: capolicylab.org/careers/rese... #Econsky

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Join us on Feb 11: @drodrik.bsky.social, Michael Reich, Jennifer Harris, & Paul Pierson @besiberkeley.bsky.social discuss the unraveling of neoliberal economic policy, emerging agendas to address Americans’ unmet needs, and the politics that could make them real. irle.berkeley.edu/events/econo...

Economic Policy Agendas to Rebuild America, with Dani Rodrik (Harvard), Michael Reich (Berkeley), Jennifer Harris (Hewlett), and Paul Pierson (berkeley. Sponsored by IRLE and BESI

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

IRLE’s 2025 Impact Report Amid rapid social, political, and economic change, IRLE's mission remains constant: connecting world-class research with policy to improve workers’ lives and communities. Learn more: irle.berkeley.edu/about/impact...

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society invites submissions to a special issue examining reasons for gender wage gaps around the world and policy responses to them. Extended abstracts due April 3. Learn more: irle.berkeley.edu/wp-content/u...

Industrial Relations Call for Papers. Special Issue on the gender wage gap. Extended abstracts are due April 3, 2026.

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

🏆 We’re thrilled to announce the recipients of our annual research awards. This year, we received an unprecedented number of applications. The 21 selected projects stood out for their potential for meaningful research insights. Join us in congratulating these exceptional Berkeley scholars.

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

#EconSky: Last chance to register for virtual attendance at Friday's Minimum Wages and Monopsony Conference, featuring an all-star line of labor economists. Learn more and register: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Virtual registration is still open for the "Minimum Wages & Monopsony Power" conference! Featuring an all-star lineup of labor economists, this one-day event also honors career of Dr. Michael Reich. 📅 June 6, 2025 | 8am - 5pm 🔗 Register today: irle.berkeley.edu/events/minim...

Minimum Wages and Monopsony Power: MichalReichFest. June 6, 2025. Learn more: irle.berkeley.edu/events

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Register now for the Minimum Wages & Monopsony Power Conference at UC Berkeley on June 6. Join leading scholars for this one-day conference, which also honors Michael Reich’s influential career. Space is limited. Register: irle.berkeley.edu/minimum-wage... #EconSky #MinimumWage #LaborEconomics

Minimum Wages & Monopsony Power Conference 2025. MichaelReichFest. June 6, 2025 at UC Berkeley's Alumni House and streaming via Zoom. Learn more and register: irle.berkeley.edu/events

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

“The minimum wage doesn't kill jobs. It kills job vacancies.” Listen to michaelreich.bsky.social in conversation with Orley Ashenfelter on "The Work Goes On" podcast @princetonecon.bsky.social. irs100.princeton.edu/podcasts/mic...

Michael Reich on how political polarization has impacted debate on the minimum wage

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

📢 Funding opportunity for early career scholars: The Family Policy Hub is offering $10K–$30K grants to Berkeley grad students, postdocs & junior faculty evaluating the effects of family policies on reducing racial inequities. 🔹 Next review date: 4/18 🔹 Apply: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

📣 UC Berkeley faculty & grad students—IRLE’s annual research awards cycle is now open! Apply by April 11: 🔹 Faculty Research Awards: irle.berkeley.edu/faculty-reso... 🔹 Dissertation Fellowship: irle.berkeley.edu/student-oppo... 🔹 Grad Student Research Awards: irle.berkeley.edu/student-oppo...

IRLE Call for Proposals: 2025-2026 Research Awards: Faculty Research Awards (Up to $30K); Dissertation Fellowship ($15K stipend + tuition/fees); Grad Student Research Awards (Up to $6K)

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UC Berkeley Institute for Research on Labor & Employment (IRLE) @ucberkeleyirle.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

🌍 Introducing the Climate and Society Center We are proud to announce the launch of a pioneering new center aimed at accelerating CA’s equitable transition to renewable energy & zero-carbon emissions through rigorous research & community collaboration. Learn more: irle.berkeley.edu/climate-and-...

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