The Worker Institute brings together researchers, educators and students with practitioners in labor, business and policymaking to address issues related to confronting systemic inequality and building a fair economy, robust democracy and just society. We will share opinion, analysis, research, data, insights and training from our faculty and staff.
Equity at Work
Labor Standards Can Help Us Build Back Better
The Worker Institute's Labor Leading on Climate team examines the American Jobs Plan and explains why the built-in labor standards are critical to the proposal’s success.
Four policy recommendations for New York State to beat back inequality and climate change
Cornell’s Labor Leading on Climate research team makes recommendations for NYS policy intervention. It will not be easy to tackle climate change -- but New Yorkers don’t shy away from a fight. Reducing inequality and creating meaningful high-impact Climate Jobs through strategic planning and having strong labor standards.
The U.S. Can Build the Largest Offshore Wind Industry in the World
Building a large, equitable offshore wind industry in the U.S. is an excellent opportunity for the Biden Administration and East coast states to respond to the current moment and the intersecting crises of COVID-19, climate change and inequality.
An Alternative to Mass Unemployment: Short-time Programs
Short-time compensation is a relatively low-cost program that already exists in many states to prevent or at least slow mass unemployment. With some reforms, it could protect many more U.S. jobs.
On Labor Day let’s honor workers by protecting their lives
The Worker Institutes' Patricia Campos-Medina writes an opinion piece for the NJ Star-Ledger on the importance of honoring workers on Labor Day by honoring their lives at work.
Professor Lowell Turner, an expert on French and German unions who returned last week from a sabbatical in Paris, provided an insider’s primer for Sunday’s French presidential election and the impact it could have on labor and other issues.
OpEd: Puzder Nomination Reveals False Promise of Faux Populism
Jeff Grabelsky, Associate Director of The Worker Institute at Cornell, authored this piece ahead of the announcement that Labor Secretary nominee Andrew Puzder was withdrawing from consideration after mounting pressure from the labor movement and worker advocates.
Labor Day: Inequality Grows, But New Worker Voices Emerge
Jeffrey Grabelsky, associate director of The Worker Institute and coordintor of the National Labor Leadership Initiative, shares his thoughts about labor in America.
Beyond the Headlines: Lessons Learned from the Market Basket Strike
The current strike at the Market Basket has grabbed mainstream media attention largely because of the soap opera like feud within the third generation of the family that has owned and run the New England chain and built an extremely loyal customer base.
