Michelle Chen

Contributing Writer

@meeshellchen

Michelle Chen is a contributing writer for The Nation.

Carwasheros

These Carwashers Were Being Paid as Little as $125 a Week These Carwashers Were Being Paid as Little as $125 a Week

How everyone benefits from the merger of worker protection and sustainability in one of the city’s least-regulated industries.

Jun 12, 2015 / Michelle Chen

The Department of Education’s Debt-Forgiveness Plan Does Not Go Far Enough

The Department of Education’s Debt-Forgiveness Plan Does Not Go Far Enough The Department of Education’s Debt-Forgiveness Plan Does Not Go Far Enough

The Corinthian strikers are asking for debt justice, not forgiveness.

Jun 10, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Budget Cuts, Layoffs, and a $1.5 Billion Campus Remodeling—What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Budget Cuts, Layoffs, and a $1.5 Billion Campus Remodeling—What’s Wrong With This Picture? Budget Cuts, Layoffs, and a $1.5 Billion Campus Remodeling—What’s Wrong With This Picture?

These University of Chicago students are saying “no” to the administration’s austerity agenda.

Jun 8, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Walmart

Here Are All the Reasons Walmart’s Business Is Not Sustainable Here Are All the Reasons Walmart’s Business Is Not Sustainable

Walmart's sustainability record is anything but ethical.

Jun 5, 2015 / Michelle Chen

$1,000 for a Dead Family Member—Is That Justice for Bangladesh’s Garment Workers?

$1,000 for a Dead Family Member—Is That Justice for Bangladesh’s Garment Workers? $1,000 for a Dead Family Member—Is That Justice for Bangladesh’s Garment Workers?

While Bangladesh prosecutes culprits of the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, victims’ families and other factory workers continue to suffer at the bottom of the industrial productio...

Jun 3, 2015 / Michelle Chen

How the Retail Industry Keeps People of Color in Poverty

How the Retail Industry Keeps People of Color in Poverty How the Retail Industry Keeps People of Color in Poverty

Bad retail jobs compound the deeper economic and social barriers that disproportionately affect blacks and Latinos.

Jun 2, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Will Connecticut Go Robin Hood on Low-Wage Bosses?

Will Connecticut Go Robin Hood on Low-Wage Bosses? Will Connecticut Go Robin Hood on Low-Wage Bosses?

Lawmakers in Connecticut don’t want corporations to capitalize on cheap labor.

May 29, 2015 / Michelle Chen

This Will Make You Think Twice About Downing That Pint of Ben & Jerry’s in One Sitting

This Will Make You Think Twice About Downing That Pint of Ben & Jerry’s in One Sitting This Will Make You Think Twice About Downing That Pint of Ben & Jerry’s in One Sitting

The socially-minded brand has ignored the demands of migrant workers in its supply chain.

May 27, 2015 / Michelle Chen

Why the Philippines’ Deadly Factory Fire Will Not Be the Last

Why the Philippines’ Deadly Factory Fire Will Not Be the Last Why the Philippines’ Deadly Factory Fire Will Not Be the Last

The fatal fire at a Philippines shoe factory exposes the ills of global free trade.

May 26, 2015 / Michelle Chen

LA’s Minimum Wage Workers Just Won $15 an Hour—How Many Will Actually Be Paid That?

LA’s Minimum Wage Workers Just Won $15 an Hour—How Many Will Actually Be Paid That? LA’s Minimum Wage Workers Just Won $15 an Hour—How Many Will Actually Be Paid That?

Los Angeles wage increase has huge implications for the city’s workers and the nationwide Fight for 15 movement.

May 22, 2015 / Michelle Chen

x