The Future Of Work And Labor Policy

Though Massachusetts has a long history with unions, much has changed in both the labor force and the nature of union organizing, particularly in the post-pandemic world.

Recently, Hadley’s Trader Joe’s became the first self-organized union within that corporate structure and workers of all kinds are demanding better compensation, working conditions, benefits and flexibility.

How workplaces are run, how decisions are made, who gets to make them and the complex relationship between employers and employees – particularly as the former take a more active role in guaranteeing civil and human rights – are all transforming in real time.

This makes this a ripe area to create a body of deliberate and proactive policy work as we work toward best practices and an updated model.

To this end, we’re currently interested specifically in:

• Independent grassroots organizing methods, particularly ones that use transformative justice models to benefit historically excluded or marginalized people
• Updated DEI-centered organizational strategies
• Employers’ roles in civil rights preservation
• Updated business and staffing models for the unique historical moment and beyond