ADVANCING WORKER’S STATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS | Illinois as a Model

In 2022 Illinois became the fifth state to pass a Constitutional Amendment protecting the rights of workers. Unlike other states, however, Illinois voters passed a ballot measure to create what is arguably the strongest constitutional provisions protecting collective bargaining in the country. PMCR presents two thought pieces on the Amendment.  The first paper, by Professor … Read more

ILLINOIS LABOR ACTION REPORT | 2021-2023

Welcome to our first fact sheet documenting strikes by union and nonunion workers across Illinois. These data are derived from the Labor Action Tracker, a project started in 2021 that comprehensively documents strike activity in the United States. As of January 2024, the Labor Action Tracker is a joint project between Cornell University’s School of … Read more

UNION REPRESENTATION DURING A PANDEMIC | The Case of K-12 School COVID Protocols, Public Health and Individual Autonomy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the Illinois educational workforce, creating a complex interplay between public health measures, individual autonomy, and union dynamics. This report, based on a survey of Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) members, highlights these multifaceted responses to vaccine mandates and the intricate position of teachers’ unions during these … Read more

LABOR’S PEACE PARADOX | THE IMPACT OF THE RIGHT TO STRIKE ON THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS

For most unions in the United States, ‘no strike’ collective bargaining clauses are the most visible manifestation of the twentieth-century industrial relations commitment to maintaining ‘labor peace.’ Unions and employers agree to a detailed contractual grievance and arbitration process in exchange for workers waiving a right to strike and assurances from management to address worker … Read more

The Economic Impact of Prevailing Wage Law Repeals on Construction Market Outcomes | Evidence from Repeals Between 2015 and 2018

Prevailing wage laws establish minimum wages for skilled construction workers employed on taxpayer-funded projects. The main purpose of prevailing wage laws is to protect local construction standards in the competitive low-bid process. The laws create a level playing field for all construction contractors by ensuring that public expenditures maintain and reflect local market standards for … Read more

The Impact of Unions on Construction Worksite Health and Safety | Evidence from OSHA Inspections

Construction consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. This report assesses whether there are differences in safety outcomes between union and nonunion construction worksites by analyzing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations in the industry.Prior research has found that the unionized construction sector delivers higher wages, finances most … Read more