With the Omicron wave, how will employers adapt and what’s to come for the future of work? The American workplace is restless, how long will we continue to see strikes and labor protest activity continue? Labor shortages are ongoing, will we see the Great Resignation keep up? How will the federal vaccine mandate for private employers shake out? These labor experts are available to weigh in on these questions and more as we start 2022.

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Starting Wednesday, workers at three Starbucks coffee shops in and around Buffalo, New York will have four weeks to vote on whether to unionize. Kate Bronfenbrenner says Starbucks has reason to be worried with Workers United leading the unionizing efforts. Cathy Creighton is also available for interviews.

Industrial and Labor Relations

Economics and Business

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Thousands of U.S. workers across numerous industries have participated in strikes and other labor actions this fall. The Cornell-ILR Labor Action Tracker provides a comprehensive database of strike and labor protest activity across the U.S. and these Cornell experts are available to speak to the increasing labor protest activity.

Labor Relations & Human Resources

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Amazon workers at four warehouses on Staten Island have filed a petition to form a union. Kate Bronfenbrenner says filing with only 30 percent of workers shows a lack of experience and likely won’t bode well for the campaign.

Industrial and Labor Relations

New York City

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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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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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Airport workers in New York City’s main airports are mobilizing to support a bill that will increase employees’ pay to nearly $18 an hour. New York lawmakers are expected to vote on the legislation before the end of the current legislative session.

Industrial and Labor Relations

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