Media Relations Office

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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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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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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Arthur Wheaton, director of Western NY Labor and Environmental Programs for the Worker Institute at Cornell University, comments on Walmart's announcement that it will add thousands of robots to its stores.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Physical Sciences & Engineering

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On Wednesday, Ford, GM and Toyota announced a new partnership to collaborate on safety standards for self-driving cars. The companies formed a consortium that will work with industry and government to expedite regulations on autonomous vehicles. Arthur Wheaton is an expert on the auto industry and director of Western NY Labor and Environmental Programs for the Worker Institute at Cornell University. He says that in an industry especially averse to uncertainty, working together to cut costs makes complete sense.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) went on strike this week after the teacher’s union and district leadership failed to reach agreement about class sizes, pay and school resources. Lee Adler, an expert on education and collective bargaining at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, says the strength of the union enables LAUSD teachers to voice their demands, and may even counter a charter school movement in Los Angeles.

Law and Policy

Economics and Business

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The UK parliament has started a much-anticipated five-day debate on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit proposal. Lawmakers will vote to reject or accept the deal next week, a decision that will have ripple effects in Europe as well as within British domestic politics. Cornell University experts weigh in on what those effects may be.

International Reach

Law and Policy

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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