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

Nov
12

Event / Conference

App-Workers Organizing: Global Perspectives

View all Worker Institute events...

News

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.

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.

News

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.

Interview with Amanda Flores

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Amanda Flores

Amanda Flores has worked as a teacher for seven years. Her mother, a school administrator in New York City, tragically passed due to complications from Covid-19.

Interview with Derrick Williams

Jun 17, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Interview with Derrick Williams

Derrick Williams is a general pipefitter. Because of how badly the coronavirus pandemic has impacted Detroit, he and his partner have to wear hazmat suits when entering households.

The Intervention White America Needs

Protests for Black Lives Matter Movement

Jun 16, 2020

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

The Intervention White America Needs

Tristan Ivory, Assistant Professor, International and Comparative Labor, writes about the history that led to this moment and direct actions to address systemic racism and poverty.