The Worker Institute

The Worker Institute at Cornell engages in research and education on contemporary labor issues, to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy and society.

Initiatives

Equity at Work

Strategic Leadership

People gathered for a strategic planning session

Precarious Workforce

A woman speaks at the center of a meeting of women day laborers in Williamsburg

Labor Leading on Climate

Upcoming Events

Dec
4

Event / Roundtable

News

Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit

Sep 14, 2020

Monday, September 14, 2020

Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit

Worker Institute Executive Director, Lara Skinner will speak at the Climate Jobs and Just Transition Summit on Sept. 22.

Just Transition Working Group

Sep 14, 2020

Monday, September 14, 2020

Lara Skinner, executive director of The Worker Institute at the Cornell University ILR School has been named to the Just Transition Working Group that will support the implementation of New York state’s national leading climate law.

Campos-Medina Joins WI Leadership Team

Photo of Patricia Campos Medina and Lara Skinner

Sep 4, 2020

Friday, September 4, 2020

Campos-Medina Joins WI Leadership Team

Patricia Campos-Medina, will serve as co-Executive Director of The Worker Institute alongside current Executive Director, Lara Skinner, and Academic Director, Ileen DeVault, beginning September 7, 2020.

Interview with Zaborah Roane

Jun 18, 2020

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Interview with Zaborah Roane

Zaborah Roane has worked as a childcare professional for over 20 years. She is a member of the NDWA and a leader of We Dream in Black’s Raleigh chapter, a project of the NDWA to empower Black domestic workers.

News

Interview with Eddie Quezada

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Eddie Quezada

Eddie Quezada has worked in the produce department of the grocery industry for 32 years. He is a Covid-19 survivor and still witnesses social distancing guidelines being ignored.

Interview with Duane Townes

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Duane Townes

Duane Townes has worked in construction since 2014. He was working on a project at a school before the Covid-19 pandemic but has since taken a position delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) at Bellevue Hospital in New York.

Interview with Cassandra Knight

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Cassandra Knight

Cassandra Knight has worked in the healthcare field for 25 years. She believes that many of the workers who interact with patients the most, like PCTs and environmental service workers, are often under appreciated for their work during this crisis.

Interview with Briskella Garas

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Briskella Garas

Briskella Garas works at the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant in northern Manhattan. She feels as if her employer has taken many steps to protect workers, including measures to enforce social distancing and provide PPE for any interactive work.