Michelle Chen

Contributing Writer

@meeshellchen

Michelle Chen is a contributing writer for The Nation.

Trump Infrastructure Plan

Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Is Great, Unless You Want Actually Functioning Infrastructure Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Is Great, Unless You Want Actually Functioning Infrastructure

The plan’s private partnership model will pour public funds into corporate coffers.

Feb 16, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Little girl at child care rally CA

The Family Medical Leave Act Is a Quarter-Century Old This Year—and in Desperate Need of an Update The Family Medical Leave Act Is a Quarter-Century Old This Year—and in Desperate Need of an Update

A national paid-leave program could bring immeasurable benefits to working parents.

Feb 15, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Textile factory worker

The Clothing Industry Is Set to Consume a Quarter of the Global Carbon Supply by 2050 The Clothing Industry Is Set to Consume a Quarter of the Global Carbon Supply by 2050

What would it take to make the fashion industry truly sustainable?

Feb 13, 2018 / Michelle Chen

McDonald's protesters fight for 15

Trump’s Labor Board Is Making it Even More Difficult to Unionize Fast-Food Workers Trump’s Labor Board Is Making it Even More Difficult to Unionize Fast-Food Workers

Upending Obama-era precedent, the NLRB is threatening the ability of workers at franchise restaurants to organize.

Feb 9, 2018 / Michelle Chen

SENS-UAW at the NLRB

Millennials Are Keeping Unions Alive Millennials Are Keeping Unions Alive

Jobs are precarious, health-care costs are skyrocketing, and wages aren’t keeping up with the cost of living—no wonder young people are organizing.

Feb 5, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Female Inmate Jail Cell

It’s a Worldwide Trend: More Women Are Being Imprisoned Than Ever Before It’s a Worldwide Trend: More Women Are Being Imprisoned Than Ever Before

As globalization has pushed more women into the labor market, it has also made them more susceptible to criminalization.

Feb 1, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Trump touring the Flint water plant

Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Could Destroy Our Nation’s Water Systems Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Could Destroy Our Nation’s Water Systems

Privatization and deregulation could damage city water supplies and lead to pollution of our natural environment.

Jan 30, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Jeff Sessions DOJ Conference

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Obsession With Crimes Committed by Immigrants The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Obsession With Crimes Committed by Immigrants

The report put out this month by the Justice Department and Homeland Security paints a misleading picture of immigrants and crime.

Jan 26, 2018 / Michelle Chen

CFPB protest

The Trump Administration Just Gutted Payday-Lending Regulations The Trump Administration Just Gutted Payday-Lending Regulations

Under Trump appointee Mick Mulvaney, the CFPB is making it easier for predatory lenders to take advantage of the most vulnerable consumers.

Jan 24, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Homecare worker gives client pills

Home-Care Workers Clocking 24-Hour Shifts Are Being Paid for Only 13 Hours Home-Care Workers Clocking 24-Hour Shifts Are Being Paid for Only 13 Hours

A New York State rule is standing in the way of home-care workers’ earning their rightful pay, and care recipients’ getting the attention they deserve.

Jan 19, 2018 / Michelle Chen

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