Cornell Expert Quotes

Cornellians weigh in on current events in the news
"As Trump showed, even negative buzz is good, especially for front runners, because it can suck attention away from challengers (remember during GOP debate when he talked about his ‘hands’)."
Drew Margolin

Drew Margolin

Associate Professor

To find an expert, please contact the Media Relations Office.

Topic Name Date
Labor Relations & Human Resources , Industrial and Labor Relations , Law and Policy
Associate Professor of Labor Relations, Law & History at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Shannon Gleeson

Associate Professor of Labor Relations, Law & History at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations
"On the whole, Venezuelan migrants in the United States are more highly educated professionals, relative to other foreign-born workers. Yet, because of language limitations, barriers to foreign credential transfer, and the current economic recession, many find themselves struggling to find work in their profession or at all. Therefore, the barriers facing low-wage workers should not be ignored."
Media: Rachel Rhodes rer252@cornell.edu 202-434-8036
Related Tip Sheet: Granting TPS not a silver bullet for Venezuelans in the U.S. (03/09/21)
Labor Relations & Human Resources , Food & Agriculture , Agriculture and Life Sciences , Law and Policy , Law School
Mary Jo Dudley
Mary Jo Dudley

Director of the Cornell Farmworker Program
Media: Lindsey Hadlock lmh267@cornell.edu 607-269-6911
Related Tip Sheet: Failing to vaccinate farmworkers exploits, endangers labor force (03/02/21)
Labor Relations & Human Resources , Food & Agriculture , Agriculture and Life Sciences , Law and Policy , Law School
Beth Lyon

Clinical Professor of Law and founder of Cornell’s Farmworker’s Legal Assistance Clinic
“History shows that if we fail to vaccinate farmworkers, we are following a well-worn policy path of exploiting, endangering and vilifying the communities that provide hired farm labor.”
Media: Lindsey Hadlock lmh267@cornell.edu 607-269-6911
Related Tip Sheet: Failing to vaccinate farmworkers exploits, endangers labor force (03/02/21)
Labor Relations & Human Resources , Law and Policy
Katrina Nobles

Director of Conflict Programs
"While the SCOTUS decision this morning may change the face of the workplace by providing broader rights to the LBGTQ workforce, there are many more things companies and individuals will have to face before positive change will take hold."
Media: Rachel Rhodes rer252@cornell.edu 202-434-8036
Related Tip Sheet: Supreme Court just the beginning for LGBTQ workplace equality (06/16/20)
Labor Relations & Human Resources
Vanessa Bohns

Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior
“These kinds of precautions are necessary because of how difficult it is for people to say ‘no’ to something in the moment, particularly given the power dynamics between directors and actors."
Media: Gillian Smith gillian.smith@cornell.edu 607-254-6235
Related Tip Sheet: Without accountability, sex scene guidelines won’t change industry (01/30/20)
Labor Relations & Human Resources
KC Wagner
KC Wagner

Director of Workplace Issues
"Without independent monitoring and accountability at the top there can be no real change.”
Media: Gillian Smith gillian.smith@cornell.edu 607-254-6235
Related Tip Sheet: Without accountability, sex scene guidelines won’t change industry (01/30/20)
Industrial and Labor Relations , Labor Relations & Human Resources
Lee Adler
Lee Adler

Senior Extension Associate, Labor and Unions
“It is important to keep in mind that the CTU is a community union that sees itself as accountable to its community as well as its member constituencies. The CPS would be mistaken if they believe they can solve the multiple issues that concern the union by simply raising its financial offerings. The CPS is going to have to deliver on the CTU’s demand for more health care professionals, librarians, and at least some progress on smaller class size while showing economic and other respect to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) paraprofessionals and school related personnel or it will be tough to reach an agreement."
Media: Rebecca Valli rv234@cornell.edu 607-255-6035
Related Tip Sheet: In rejecting city’s deal, Chicago teachers reach for bigger goal (10/17/19)
Economics and Business , Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship , Labor Relations & Human Resources
Art Wheaton
Arthur Wheaton

Director of Western NY Labor and Environmental Programs for the Worker Institute

Wheaton says:

“The United Auto Workers (UAW)-General Motors (GM) strike shows the UAW’s level of frustration and determination to get equitable pay and benefits for all employees, not just the long-term employees. Strikes are unpredictable and it is difficult to know when one will end.

“The strike could make Ford and Fiat Chrysler nervous, knowing if they don’t give their employees more in pay and benefits, they may face the same strike result. No one wins in a strike; both sides lose. Negotiations are not about getting everything you want; they are about finding a way to get something both sides can live with. Both sides walk away feeling as though they should have done better but can live with it and try again in four years.

“UAW and GM are facing a work stoppage. The UAW went out on strike to get wage increases and pay equity for the temporary and new hires in the GM facilities. General Motors took the unusual step of outlining the proposals made to the UAW at the last minute. Waiting until the last minute and broadcasting it to the public has further divided the sides and gotten the attention of elected officials from both political parties. UAW members will immediately see their incomes hit and if it lasts more than 15 days, they may start receiving $250 per week in strike pay. That is much less than they earn working and it will impact their ability to pay their bills.

“GM is also being hurt immediately. GM makes their revenue building cars, not selling cars. The public will not be impacted too much unless the strike lasts more than a couple weeks. GM has built up some excess inventory in preparing for a potential strike. After a few weeks it may be more difficult getting a vehicle in the color or engine type you prefer but there will be vehicles for purchase.”
 
Media: Gillian Smith gillian.smith@cornell.edu 607-254-6235
Related Tip Sheet: Anxiety mounts for Ford and Chrysler with GM strike, work stoppage (09/16/19)
Labor Relations & Human Resources
Bill Sonnenstuhl
Bill Sonnenstuhl

Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior
“I think that this is a good decision. We know from workplace studies that employees seek assistance from employee assistance programs for a wide range of mental health issues ranging from the benign to the serious. We should not penalize them for seeking help by taking their badges and guns. That decision should be made based upon the seriousness of their problems and their ability to meet their job responsibilities.”
Media: Lindsey Hadlock lmh267@cornell.edu 607-269-6911
Related Tip Sheet: NYPD’s mental health move a step in the right direction (09/11/19)
Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship , Law, Government & Public Policy , Social & Behavioral Sciences , Labor Relations & Human Resources , Washington D.C. , Johnson Graduate School of Management , Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Associate Professor of Marketing at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Manoj Thomas

Associate Professor of Marketing at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
“Research suggests that lack of clarity about how the tip money will be shared could reduce the rate of tipping. To avoid this, it would be important for restaurants to clearly state that the tips will not be pocketed by the management.”
Media: Rebecca Valli rv234@cornell.edu 607-255-6035
Related Tip Sheet: Transparency is key in proposed changes to tipping rules (12/11/17)