This discussion explores how low wages and wage enforcement shape workers’ lives—and how wage policy can either reproduce or disrupt structural inequities. Drawing on critical wage theory, lived experience, and community-based research, panelists will frame wages not only as an economic issue, but as a central question of racial, gender, and social justice.

This event is the third panel in a year-long series examining executive actions of the Trump administration. Previous programs have addressed health equity, immigration, free speech, antisemitism, and anti-Arab discrimination.

Featured Speaker

Ruben J. Garcia

Ralph Denton Professor of Law and Director, Workplace Law Program

Panelists

Sara Goodkind

Philip Hallen Endowed Chair in Community Health and Social Justice, Professor and PhD Program Director, School of

Social Work

Guillermo Perez

Volunteer and former member of the Board of Directors of Casa San Jose, retired from the United Steelworkers

Community Partner

Lisa Frank, Executive Vice President and Director of Strategic Campaigns at SEIU Healthcare

Moderator

Sheila Vélez Martínez

Professor of Law