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A bill to amend federal labor laws and expand guarantees for unionized workers is headed to the House next week. Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research and a senior lecturer at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says that the bill must be paired with union efforts to build grassroot support.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research and a senior lecturer at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says she is not surprised by the decline in union membership given the hostile, anti-union stance of federal agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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As the snow continues to come down across the Northeast, two Cornell University experts, David Orr and Eugene Carroll are available for interviews on safe driving tips and the ‘unsung heroes’ who continue to keep roads safe during winter weather.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Agriculture and Life Sciences

New York State

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Police in Hong Kong granted pro-democracy protestors permission for a rally, planned for Sunday. The decision follows months of unrest, including increasingly violent confrontations between protesters and the police. It also comes at the heels of an unprecedented victory for the pro-democracy camp, which won 90 percent of available seats at recent district council elections. Cornell University experts say that police may be trying a new, less confrontational strategy by giving the green light for the weekend’s demonstration.

International

Arts and Sciences

Industrial and Labor Relations

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The U.S. announced it is moving to impose tariffs imports from the European Union, following a ruling from the World Trade Organization (WTO) earlier on Wednesday that authorized Washington to go ahead with tariffs. Kate Bronfenbrenner, senior lecturer at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says that the WTO’s decision gives Trump the option to use tariffs as a distraction from domestic issues at the expense of jobs beyond the airline industry - where the trade dispute originated.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

International

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On Thursday, teachers in Chicago went on a strike after their union (CTU) rejected a deal from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Lee Adler, an expert on education and collective bargaining at Cornell University’s ILR School, says that to the union’s decision not to take the city’s offer stems from a desire to fix more than just teachers’ salaries.   

Industrial and Labor Relations

Labor Relations & Human Resources

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After prolonged negotiations and a monthlong strike General Motors (GM) reached a preliminary agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW) on Wednesday about contracts. Arthur Wheaton, an expert of the automotive industry at Cornell University’s ILR School, says that after it’s ratified, the deal will likely affect negotiations at the other two carmaker giants, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. 

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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The report “Stopping Sexual Harassment in the Empire State: Past, Present, and a Possible Future” released by researchers from the Worker Institute at Cornell University’s ILR School found that 10.9% of New York residents report having experienced quid pro quo workplace sexual harassment at some point in their careers. KC Wagner, co-author of the report, has specialized in promoting workplace inclusion and preventing sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence for over 30 years.

New York State

Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Labor advocates in New York state are pushing to secure benefits and protection for gig-economy workers by setting a new standard for what qualifies as an ‘independent contractor.’ The proposed law uses an approach called the ‘ABC test’ to determine if a worker is an employee. At an unrelated press conference earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signaled interest in redefining workers’ status. Maria Figueroa, director of Labor and Policy Research at the Cornell University ILR School’s Worker Institute, says that beyond protecting workers’ rights, the coalition’s approach is also potentially beneficial to state’s tax revenue base.

New York State

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Linda Donahue, an employee misclassification expert at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says those who work for gig companies should be considered essential employees. Additionally, Cornell's Worker Institute today released a report on the experiences of people who find work through online platforms in New York state.

Industrial and Labor Relations

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