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Worker Institute Blog

Worker with a mask in a restaurant
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.

Events

Join us: Equity in Focus: Building a Diverse, Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce

Join us on June 29, 2022 for the third webinar in a new series co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau and Cornell ILR Worker Institute. 
Union woman working on solar panels
Join us: Equity in Focus: Building a Diverse, Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce

In-person NYC Workshop: Gender Based Violence and Harassment: The Union’s Role in Prevention, Intervention and Cultural Change

Join us in NYC on June 15 and 21, 2022. The resurgence of the #MeToo movement, resurgence in anti-transgender legislation across the country, and the continued impacts of the pandemic have challenged unions to take on issues of gender-based violence.
Workshop NYC
In-person NYC Workshop: Gender Based Violence and Harassment: The Union’s Role in Prevention, Intervention and Cultural Change

The Sound Of Solidarity: Labor’s Family-friendly Music Festival Returns

Suffolk AME, the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and more than 20 other Labor unions from throughout New York will band together in solidarity to bring the charitable Mayday Music Festival back to Southaven County Park on Long Island this May 14th, 2022.
People Dancing
The Sound Of Solidarity: Labor’s Family-friendly Music Festival Returns

From Retail to Tech to Universities: Unionizing for Equity in all Workplaces

Join us on Friday, April 29th, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. for a Union Days event, "From Retail to Tech to Universities: Unionizing for Equity in all Workplaces." In-person on our Ithaca campus and virtually.
Students Protesting
From Retail to Tech to Universities: Unionizing for Equity in all Workplaces

Book Launch: The Future We Need: Organizing for a Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century

Join us on May 2nd at 11 AM EST for an in-person and virtual book launch of The Future We Need: Organizing for a Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century, written by Erica Smiley and Sarita Gupta that will be livestreamed.
People protesting
Book Launch: The Future We Need: Organizing for a Better Democracy in the Twenty-First Century

Equity in Focus: Investing in Childcare Careers

Join us on April 26th, 2022 for the second in our Equity in Focus Webinar Series. This webinar will explore the challenges of the child care industry and highlight local examples that are improving access to child care while also raising wages for child care workers. 
Daycare worker
Equity in Focus: Investing in Childcare Careers

The Moment for a Movement: Starbucks and the Slow Drip of Starting a Union

Learn the ins and outs of how to unionize a workplace and what legal methods Starbucks has used to delay the votes. In-person event, free and open to the public.
Starbucks Coffee
The Moment for a Movement: Starbucks and the Slow Drip of Starting a Union

Free Webinar: Job Hazard Analysis with Considerations and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Learn from and ask your questions to a certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist and expert on occupational health and safety. Join us on Friday, April 8th, 2022 to learn about Job Hazard Analysis with Considerations and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
Person working in an office
Free Webinar: Job Hazard Analysis with Considerations and Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

Cunningham facilitates Offshore Wind Training for IUOE Local 30

Zach Cunningham, Extension Associate for the Worker Institute and Mariah Dignan, of Climate Jobs NY deliver a riveting presentation on Climate Jobs and Offshore Wind (OSW) to IUOE Local 30
IUOE Local 1
Cunningham facilitates Offshore Wind Training for IUOE Local 30

Watch the Recording: Equity in Focus Webinar Series

On February 24th, the Worker Institute and the Women's Bureau of the US Department of Labor held the first webinar in the Equity in Focus: Job Creation for a Just Society Webinar Series.
Waitress Pandemic
Watch the Recording: Equity in Focus Webinar Series

Watch recording, "How U.S. Trade Policy Affects Workers"

On March 2nd at 2 pm EST, The ILR School hosted a discussion with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai and Cornell experts discussing USTR's initiative to study the distributional effects of U.S. trade policy on workers.
Ambassador Tai Speaks
Watch recording, "How U.S. Trade Policy Affects Workers"

Watch the recording of "A Climate Jobs Plan for Rhode Island"

On Friday, March 4, researchers from Cornell University joined with leaders of the Climate Jobs RI coalition, a group of labor, climate, and community groups in Rhode Island, and discussed a new report unveiled last month that outlined a comprehensive action plan for RI.
Rhode Island Lighthouse
Watch the recording of "A Climate Jobs Plan for Rhode Island"

Free Webinar: Shiftwork, Long Hours of Work, and Fatigue

Learn from and ask your questions to a certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist and expert on occupational health and safety. Join us on Friday, March 11th, 2022 to learn about Shiftwork, Long Hours of Work, and Fatigue.
workers in warehouse
Free Webinar: Shiftwork, Long Hours of Work, and Fatigue

How U.S. Trade Policy Affects Workers

Join us on March 2nd at 2 pm EST when United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai will discuss USTR's initiative to study the distributional effects of U.S. trade policy on workers
Image of Container Ships
How U.S. Trade Policy Affects Workers

Cornell experts and RI labor and climate leaders to discuss a climate jobs action plan for Rhode Island

On Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m, researchers from Cornell University will join leaders of the Climate Jobs RI coalition, a group of labor, climate, and community groups in Rhode Island, to discuss a report unveiled last month that outlined a comprehensive climate action plan.
Wind energy
Cornell experts and RI labor and climate leaders to discuss a climate jobs action plan for Rhode Island

What does equity in job creation in the construction industry look like in practice?

On February 24th, the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, will host its first webinar in a series Equity in Focus: Job Creation for a Just Economy.
Women Construction Worker
What does equity in job creation in the construction industry look like in practice?

Join us for the Equity in Focus Webinar Series

Our first webinar will explore how equity in job creation is defined – with a focus on job growth through the current expansion of infrastructure investment. Central to any definition are questions about identifying the policy outcomes and how to measure these.
Women working during the pandemic
Join us for the Equity in Focus Webinar Series

Free Webinar: Hierarchy of Controls: Problem-Solving for All Kinds of Hazards

Join us on Friday, February 11th, 2022 for a free webinar to learn about Hierarchy of Controls: Problem-Solving for All Kinds of Hazards.
Sign on store door stating that they are closed but pickups can be scheduled.
Free Webinar: Hierarchy of Controls: Problem-Solving for All Kinds of Hazards

Free Webinar: Gender Issues in Occupational Safety and Health

Join us on Friday,  January 14th, 2022 for a free webinar to learn about Gender Issues in Occupational Safety and Health
Woman working at a computer
Free Webinar: Gender Issues in Occupational Safety and Health

Free Webinar: Occupational Stress: Sources and Solutions

Join us on Friday, December 10th, 2021 for a free webinar to learn about Occupational Stress: Sources and Solutions.
Person working at desk stressed
Free Webinar: Occupational Stress: Sources and Solutions

2021 Worker Institute Labor Roundtable

On Friday, November 12th, 2021, The Worker Institute is hosting the 2021 Labor Roundtable for ILR Students.
People protesting
2021 Worker Institute Labor Roundtable

Free Webinar: Health and Safety Issues of the Aging Workforce

Join us on Friday, November 12th, 2021 to learn about Health and Safety Issues of the Aging Workforce in your workplace.
Younger manager shoes an older worker something on the computer
Free Webinar: Health and Safety Issues of the Aging Workforce

Sweeping Change: Report Launch, November 9th, 2021

"Sweeping Change” is a new report that documents the prevalence and experiences of workplace sexual harassment in the California janitorial industry. Join us virtually on November 9th, 2021 (6-8 pm EST I 3-5 pm PST) for a report launch featuring a conversation with janitor peer educators leading change in their workplaces.
Woman protesting
Sweeping Change: Report Launch, November 9th, 2021

Recordings: Workers Challenging Private Equity to Create Good Jobs

On Thursday, October 21, the Private Equity Stakeholder Project and the Cornell ILR Worker Institute held an online forum featuring workers employed by private equity-owned companies on how they are standing up and fighting for good jobs.
Speaker from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project
Recordings: Workers Challenging Private Equity to Create Good Jobs

Workers Challenging Private Equity to Create Good Jobs

The Private Equity Stakeholder Project and the Cornell ILR Worker Institute invite you to an online forum on Thursday, October 21 from 1-2:30 p.m. ET. At this online forum you will hear from workers employed by private equity-owned companies how they are standing up and fighting for good jobs.
Photo of Protest for Minimum Wage Increase
Workers Challenging Private Equity to Create Good Jobs

Labor Leading on Climate Team Participates on 350 Brooklyn Labor and Climate Panel

Labor Leading on Climate Associates participated in 350Brooklyn’s panel session, Labor and the Climate Movement: Challenges and Opportunities
350Brooklyn
Labor Leading on Climate Team Participates on 350 Brooklyn Labor and Climate Panel

Free Webinar: Health And Safety Committee Skills

Join us on Friday, October 8th, 2021 for a free webinar to learn about Health And Safety Committee Skills.
Group of people in a meeting with covid
Free Webinar: Health And Safety Committee Skills

Skinner Wins Award

Labor Leading on Climate Director Lara Skinner will be recognized Sept. 21 for helping make New York City a model of progress for the nation.
Lara Skinner of The Worker Institute speaks with labor leaders
Skinner Wins Award

Skinner to be Honored at the 2021 Movement Builders Awards

Lara Skinner, Labor Leading on Climate Director, is an honoree of the 2021 Movement Builders Awards for her tireless advocacy for a just transition to a renewable energy economy.
cartoon people with protest signs
Skinner to be Honored at the 2021 Movement Builders Awards

Free Webinar: Covid-19, the Delta Variant and the Return to Work

Learn from and ask questions to a certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist and expert on occupational health and safety every second Friday of the month.
Restaurant worker wearing a face mask holds an "Open" sign
Free Webinar: Covid-19, the Delta Variant and the Return to Work

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