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Labor Policy and Research

 

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.

 

The Worker Institute's research, policy, and technical assistance program focuses on the innovative work led by faculty in our three key initiative areas:  Equity at Work, Labor Leading on Climate Initiative, and Precarious Work.

All these projects have been successful individually in advancing key policy recommendations and in developing partnerships with social justice advocates, elected officials, and policy stakeholders. 

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.

Labor Leading on Climate

See all of our work on Labor Leading on Climate

Labor Leading on Climate has brought together an impressive array of labor leaders in NY State to begin addressing climate change issues and their economic implications.

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

Podcast: Organized Labor Sees Promise in Transition to Clean Energy

Lara Skinner, Director of Labor Leading on Climate Initiative Cornell University ILR School spoke with The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy the University of Pennsylvania on a podcast: "Organized Labor Sees Promise in Transition to Clean Energy.
Image of Climate Jobs Banner
Podcast: Organized Labor Sees Promise in Transition to Clean Energy

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"

Equity at Work

Learn more about Equity at Work

Equity at Work tackles difficult questions of gendered and racialized harassment, discrimination, and violence, examining their varied manifestations in different industries and workplaces.  

New study documents low wages and precarity of nail salon workers in New York State despite recent legislation

“Unvarnished: Precarity and Poor Working Conditions for Nail Salon Workers in New York State,” highlights the challenges of raising standards in the nail salon industry and also calls attention to the role of worker organizing and advocacy in driving industry change.
Nail Salon Worker
New study documents low wages and precarity of nail salon workers in New York State despite recent legislation

New study documents workplace sexual harassment and violence in California janitorial industry

Today, the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR released a new report that documents experiences of workplace sexual harassment in the California janitorial industry, as well as the conditions that hinder reporting and impose silence.
Women standing at a protest
New study documents workplace sexual harassment and violence in California janitorial industry

New Report: A High Road for Home Care

A ride-service program for homecare workers in Upstate New York during the pandemic provided substantial financial benefits and improved their quality of life, says a new report from the Worker Institute's Equity at Work Initiative.
Ruby Lovelist
New Report: A High Road for Home Care

Precarious Work

Learn more about Precarious Work

Precarious Work focuses on low-wage workers who are often without either collective representation or regulatory coverage; projects here include examining understudied areas of the “gig economy."

 

First of its kind industry report shows New York City’s App-based delivery workers experience harsh working conditions

Los Deliveristas / Worker's Justice Project and Cornell ILR’s Worker Institute released a new report titled, “Essential but Unprotected: App-based Food Couriers in New York City.” The report examines the harsh and unregulated working conditions of app-based delivery workers engaged by digital platforms.
Delivery Biker in New York City
First of its kind industry report shows New York City’s App-based delivery workers experience harsh working conditions

Washing for Dignity and Safety on the Job:  Workers in the NJ Retail Laundromat Industry

A new report by the Laundry Workers Center and the Cornell ILR Worker Institute examines the work and socio-economic conditions of workers in the retail laundromat industry in New Jersey.  
Cartoon about wage theft
Washing for Dignity and Safety on the Job:  Workers in the NJ Retail Laundromat Industry

On-Demand Platform Workers Denied Basic Rights

Worker Institute report details gig economy pressures on individuals and makes public policy recommendations.
Delivery Biker in New York City
On-Demand Platform Workers Denied Basic Rights

Reports and Publications

See all Worker Institute Reports and Publications

A New Report from The Worker Institute Outlines a Climate Jobs Agenda for Maine

A new report released today by climate and labor experts at Cornell University examines the intersecting crises and then offers a series of “climate jobs” recommendations for Maine.
Maine lighthouse
A New Report from The Worker Institute Outlines a Climate Jobs Agenda for Maine

Labor Action Tracker

In 2021 the ILR School began tracking the scope of labor unrest in the United States. Today, the Worker Institute and Cornell ILR School released the first ILR Labor Action Tracker Annual Report, which presents key findings on work stoppages for 2021.
map of United States with strike locations marked
Labor Action Tracker

New Book on Managing with Labor's Values by Ken Margolies

Each staff person has different history, experience, personality, behavioral styles, culture, and motivation. Managers need to know their staff well so they can determine the best ways to help them be successful.
Managing with Labors Values Course
New Book on Managing with Labor's Values by Ken Margolies

Events

See all Worker Institute Events

2022 Migrations Awards Include Grant for Worker Institute Faculty on Central American Workers with Temporary Protective Status

The 2022 Migrations Awards include a Justice Futures Team Research Grant awarded to Patricia Campos-Medina and more for their project, “Displaced and Uprooted: Stories of Belonging, Central American TPS Workers' Defiant Struggle for their Right to Stay Home in the U.S.”
Patricia Campos Medina with TPS Worker
2022 Migrations Awards Include Grant for Worker Institute Faculty on Central American Workers with Temporary Protective Status

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

Is this the year for gig workers in Albany

City & State logo
Worker Justice Project Event
Is this the year for gig workers in Albany

New Report Outlines Equitable Climate Action Plan for Rhode Island

Climate Jobs Rhode Island and Cornell University recently released a report outlining a climate jobs action plan to put Rhode Island on the path to meeting the state’s climate targets and building an equitable renewable energy economy.
New Report Outlines Equitable Climate Action Plan for Rhode Island

Labor and environmental coalition calls for R.I. to transition to a clean energy economy

Boston Globe logo
A report by Cornell University researchers details crises involving climate change, the pandemic, and inequality, recommends major public projects involving wind energy, schools, and electrical grid
Labor and environmental coalition calls for R.I. to transition to a clean energy economy

New York's food delivery bicyclists and drivers demand more workplace rights

CBS News logo
This piece mentions a survey out of the ILR School and the advocacy group Los Deliveristas Unidos finding that two-thirds of the surveyed delivery drivers work at least six days a week and average just over $12 per hour, including tips.
New York's food delivery bicyclists and drivers demand more workplace rights

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