Champions @ Work Network
The Champions Network grew out of an eight-month Champions @ Work study, conducted by Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, in concert with the Western New York AFL-CIO Economic Development Group and Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, which included fifteen case studies of highly successful Western New York enterprises. Released in September 2000, the 97-page report is a regional assessment of private sector employment, workplace practices and labor-management relations. Using original survey data of employers and unions in the eight counties of Western New York, the study documented the high quality of the area’s workforce, the advanced state of high performance workplace practices and the effectiveness of solid labor business relationships.
The employers, unions, and community leaders who were part of this project have committed themselves to continue sharing their experiences and expertise in order for the region to tackle the opportunities of the future. It is this diverse group of business, union and community leaders who have formed the Champions Network. They are leaders willing to take a risk, to make a difference, to create a better future for Buffalo Niagara. They represent the major sectors of our regional economy: banking, healthcare, food processing, advanced manufacturing, distribution, automotive, telecommunications, printing, and information and entertainment.
The mission of the Champions Network remains steadfast as it strives to create a broad base of union, business and community partnerships that will:
- Expand the collaborative efforts and constructive dialogue of employers and unions into community based cooperation to increase the job base of the regional economy;
- Enhance the region’s image as a good place to invest;
- Jointly promote effective and inclusive economic development policies;
- Work together to create and sustain jobs and gain market share for increasingly diverse products and services by sharing expertise in collaborative, mutual-interest problem solving with other employers and unions; and
- Bring private sector successes to bear on issues of government reform.
What's Happening
- Believe in Buffalo Niagara - The Champions Network, along with Cornell University ILR Economic Development Initiatives, is proud to support this grassroots campaign to attract high road economic businesses to Western New York.
- Champions Vote! - Through this project and its associated events, the Champions Network promotes active citizenship through a nonpartisan joint labor management campaign.
- 2004 Champions @ Work Award - UAW Local 897 and the Ford Buffalo Stamping Plant are the recipients of the first annual Champions @ Work Award.
- High Road Economics @ Work: A Conference of Applied Solutions - Sponsored by Cornell ILR Economic Development Initiatives and the Champions Network, this conference featured practitioner experts speaking on the most successful community-based economic development initiatives in the nation.
- Champions Information Service - Email alerts designed to share information relevant to Champions projects, high road economics, economic policy and labor management issues, pension reform, and more.
In the "Net"Works
- High Road Economics Forums - The Champions @ Work Network, in association with Cornell ILR Economic Development Initiatives, is planning a series of actionable educational forums on successful regional development practices. Forums topics planned will include: "Taking Stock: Government Subsidies for Economic Development;" "Working Capital Funds: U.S. and Canadian Experiences;" "Grassroots Economics: From CDC's to Labor Management Partnerships;" and "Child Care: An Economic Development Strategy."
- "Hottest Place to be Cool" EXPO 2006 - A collaborative international business development exposition to market Buffalo Niagara's assets to the world.
Newsletters
- Volume I, Issue 1 (June/July 2004)
- Volume I, Issue 2 (December 2004/January 2005)
