Laboratories of Experimentation: Local Governments at the Forefront of Advancing Workers’ Rights

This webinar will explore the way that cities and other localities have been advancing and protecting workers’ rights. The webinar expands upon a report on this subject issued in June by the Economic Policy Institute, the Harvard Labor and Worklife Program, and Local Progress.

We’ll have introductory remarks by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, along with a discussion including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Durham City Council Member Jillian Johnson, Seattle City Council Member Teresa Mosqueda, and SEIU 32BJ General Counsel Katchen Locke. We’ll explore how cities and other localities are:

• Passing and enforcing cutting-edge local workplace laws (paid sick leave, fair workweek, gig worker protections, and domestic worker rights, among others)
• Creating permanent city-level labor enforcement agencies;
• Setting up worker boards to make/advise on local policies; and
• Leveraging the city’s role in investing/contracting/permitting/licensing to drive labor improvements