Buffalo Co-Lab

“There's not as much resistance to AI as you might expect, so long as they're willing to work with people instead of replacing people,” says Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, about typical union-based attitudes toward artificial intelligence in the workplace.

Russell Weaver, director of research at ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, comments on concerns raised by economic indicators for the Buffalo region and on common industries in Western New York.

Cathy Creighton, director of ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, comments on the transparency and regulation of union finances.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, contextualizes the recent agreement from General Motors to invest 1.1 billion dollars in Canadian automobile manufacturing for the auto industry and the Unifor union.

Russell Weaver, director of research at ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, comments on what widespread credit tightening may signal.

"These tariffs are very disruptive for the sector and can be very hurtful for Buffalo because we don’t have an assembly plant here,” says Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, discussing the potential impact of U.S.-Canadian tariffs on the auto industry and car pricing.

“Every time you raise prices, it hurts the pocketbook of the average consumer. The tariffs are paid by the people who buy the products,” says Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, explaining several impacts of tariffs on residents of Western New York state in this article and audio podcast.

Studying two decades of data collected through the Empire State Poll, researchers have found that the cost of living dominates respondents’ key concerns, eclipsing other priorities, such as the environment.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, provides expert commentary on the UAW’s labor negotiations with Deere.

Insight into New Yorkers’ economic concerns, household income and public trust from two decades of data is in the 2026 edition of the Empire State Poll report from ILR’s Center for Applied Research on Work.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, shares updates and analysis of recent union news relating to automakers in Canada and the U.S., and he discusses the upcoming UAW presidential election.

“To me, I don’t know what he did that was criminal, and I don’t know what he did in terms of anything that could result in huge punishment,” said Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, discussing current allegations against UAW President Shawn Fain.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, is quoted about the upcoming UAW presidential election. [Syndicated from The Detroit News]

“If he gets re-elected by large numbers, I think it will start to rattle GM, Ford and Stellantis a little bit more,” says Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, commenting on the possible impact if UAW President Shawn Fain is re-elected this fall.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, provides analysis of the possible consequences of federal oversight actions against UAW President Shawn Fain.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, points out a range of possible disciplinary actions that could be imposed on UAW President Shawn Fain, based on a recent federal monitor’s report. [Syndicated from The Detroit News]

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, says it is unlikely that UAW President Shawn Fain will face severe disciplinary action, or be unable to run for re-election, following recent findings from a federally appointed watchdog.

Wage adjustments in the newly ratified contract for Tompkins Country Public Library workers were guided by the “Tompkins County Living Wage Study,” which was co-developed by ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab and Ithaca Co-Lab and estimates the Tompkins County living wage for a single adult without children at $25.08 per hour.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, analyzes Shawn Fain’s chances of succeeding in his re-election bid to remain president of the UAW after the upcoming October election. [Syndicated from The Detroit News]

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, offers context for understanding the recent vote to unionize by workers at Schnellecke Logistics in Tennessee and discusses potential complications caused by recent changes at the federal level in the National Labor Relations Board.

“I would not underestimate the ability of Shawn Fain to make gains at the table,” said Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, commenting on the strike at the Dauch Corp. plant in Three Rivers, Michigan (Dauch Corp. is formerly known as American Axle).

UAW workers at American Axle, who recently authorized a strike, have leverage in the current political environment, where heavy truck sales are increasing due to the elimination of EPA restrictions on emissions and fuel economy, says Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, explains how pattern bargaining in the Long Island Rail Road workers’ dispute could affect future union negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

ILR School’s Buffalo Co-Lab has played a vital role in western New York, working in partnership with business, union, government, education and community organizations.

“You get what you pay for,” said Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, commenting on the possibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority using a fare increase to fund a pay raise for Long Island Rail Road workers.

Cathy Creighton, director of ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, shares expertise on the importance of early childhood education and comments on the state-funded Broome County universal childcare pilot program.

The median living wage figure for upstate workers sits at roughly $23.50 an hour, according to Russell Weaver, director of research at ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, whose research and recommendations are noted in this article.

“There’s a big gap between what we would think of as maybe a more equitable minimum wage, where workers are sharing in the productivity that they’re creating, and the regulatory minimum wage,” said Russell Weaver, ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab director of research, sharing his expertise.

Art Wheaton, ILR director of labor studies, comments on how uncertainty in the airline industry affects planning efforts for airline CEOs.

Cathy Creighton, director of ILR’s Buffalo Co-Lab, discusses Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.