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Upcoming Events

Protecting Care in Times of Disruption

As we confront a national “care crisis”—where care support is inaccessible and unaffordable for many, and there is a shortage of care workers who are often devalued and poorly paid—care work should be widely recognized as an essential foundation of our society. Instead, we are in a moment of escalating political and economic attacks that threaten care workers at multiple levels. Sharp cuts to healthcare and attacks on the rights of workers, people of color, and immigrants put care workers and our entire care infrastructure at risk.

In home care nurse helping elderly woman go down the stairs
Protecting Care in Times of Disruption
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About the Institute

About us

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. The institute brings together researchers, educators and students with practitioners in labor, business and policymaking to confront growing economic and social inequalities, in the interests of working people and their families. A core value of the Worker Institute is that collective representation and workers' rights are vital to a fair economy, robust democracy and just society. Learn more about all of our offerings.

Worker Institute

Core Offerings

The Worker Institute serves as a hub for policy research, publication, and training for policymakers, entrepreneurs, and activists engaged in the public debate to reduce economic inequality.

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Student Engagement

Student Engagement

The Worker Institute at Cornell is committed to engaging Cornell ILR undergraduate and graduate students through our courses, research fellowships, graduate programs, and other professional development opportunities.

 

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Learn more about our work with students.

In the News

Media Mentions

NYC building trades launches peer support network for construction workers

America’s Workforce Union Podcast
This podcast describes the essential role played by ILR’s Worker Institute in creating and supporting the new NYC Building Trades Peer Support Network, and it discusses the need for the network and how it will reduce suicide attempts and improve the mental health of construction workers.
NYC building trades launches peer support network for construction workers

Up to 4,000 graduate students at Harvard are poised to strike Tuesday

Boston Globe
Risa Lieberwitz, ILR professor of labor and employment law, provided expertise on the negotiating position of the Harvard graduate workers union, noting that it goes beyond a finances; for example, the union is asking for expanded protections for international students.
Up to 4,000 graduate students at Harvard are poised to strike Tuesday

Harvard University’s plan to expand writing class size draws union objection

The Times of India
Risa Lieberwitz, ILR professor of labor and employment law, shared her expertise, saying that increasing class size amounts to increasing workload, and even if increasing from 10 students to 15 students falls within an employer’s discretion, the change’s impact may require Harvard to negotiate with the union.
Harvard University’s plan to expand writing class size draws union objection

New NY Union Peer Network Brings Construction Suicide Prevention to Jobsites

ENR East
ILR’s Worker Institute is noted as a partner of the new Building Trades Support Network, which will train peer supporters to assist with improving the mental health of New York City construction workers.
New NY Union Peer Network Brings Construction Suicide Prevention to Jobsites

Pamela Anderson's Aerie Campaign Is Her Response to AI's "Unsettling" Hold On the Fashion Industry

Marie Claire
A report co-written by ILR’s Worker Institute, about how AI is affecting the careers of fashion models, is quoted in this article.
Pamela Anderson's Aerie Campaign Is Her Response to AI's "Unsettling" Hold On the Fashion Industry

Women farmworkers who built their own fight against sexual assault cope with Chavez allegations

AP News
“I can imagine when she was trying to co-create this union with him, how much it would have cost her to speak up,” said Patrica Campos-Medina, executive director of ILR’s Worker Institute, commenting on allegations of sexual abuse within the United Farm Workers movement.
Women farmworkers who built their own fight against sexual assault cope with Chavez allegations

Blog: Latest News and Events

Read more stories from the Worker Institute Blog

Book Talk, Film Screening, Keynote to Highlight Union Days

Cornell Chronicle
With a multipart theme of labor unions, immigration rights and racial justice, the ILR School’s annual Union Days event series will offer the Cornell community an opportunity throughout April to meet labor leaders and gain understanding of current labor issues.
Union Days 2026
Book Talk, Film Screening, Keynote to Highlight Union Days

ULI Spotlight: Andy Cassagnol Executive Vice President SEIU1199

Andy Cassagnol,Andy Cassagnol, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199 in New Jersey, traces his leadership to early experiences witnessing how union representation shaped his family’s stability and protected healthcare workers’ rights.
Andy Cassagnol
ULI Spotlight: Andy Cassagnol Executive Vice President SEIU1199

ULI Spotlight: LaShonda Bradberry, Cheektowaga Central Teachers Association, NYSUT

LaShonda Bradberry is a high school educator and union leader whose passion for political education was shaped by early exposure to civil rights activism and union organizing. Today, she works to strengthen political engagement and expand leadership opportunities for educators of color across New York.
ULI Spotlight L.Bradberry
ULI Spotlight: LaShonda Bradberry, Cheektowaga Central Teachers Association, NYSUT

Lois Gray Innovation Initiative 

Lois Gray, ILR School faculty member

 

The Lois Gray Innovation Initiative was founded by labor pioneer Lois Gray to generate innovative thinking and solutions to problems related to work, economy, and society.

The Lois Gray Innovation Fund provide financial incentives for collaboration between resident and extension faculty in relation to priority programs of The Worker Institute.

It ensures faculty, researchers and students have the opportunity to fulfill the institute’s mission of advancing worker rights and collective representation.

Explore the initiative