@cljeharvard
CLJE is Harvard Law School's hub of collaborative research, policy, and strategies to empower working people to build an equitable economy and democracy. Visit us: https://clje.law.harvard.edu/
Former FTC Chair @linamkhan.bsky.social joined us last week for a conversation with @sharblock.bsky.social reflecting on her tenure at the FTC and the role of antitrust in protecting workers, consumers, innovation, and broad-based economic growth. Catch the talk here: tinyurl.com/yevxphrt #antitrust
The Harvard Trade Union Program selects a group of union members with the ability for leadership, teaching essential skills for management surrounded by dynamic classmates. Recruiting for 2027 begins this summer; check the website for more updates and more information: htup.law.harvard.edu
The Harvard Trade Union Program class of 2026.
Congratulations to the Harvard Trade Union Program class of 2026, who graduated last month with an address from @aflcio.org Chief Economist @darrickhamilton.bsky.social, classmates, and CLJE leadership. You are a testament to the strength of the labor movement. We can't wait to see what you do!
“The environment that the Trump administration created for federal employees was so untenable that I think it’s really hard to call [the resignations] voluntary, even if they technically were quits or retirements." @sharblock.bsky.social in @bostonglobe.com
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/26/n...
"A new Mayor has a major opportunity... Workers who are confident that they can’t be fired without reason are able to concentrate on their work and help build the economy the Mayor hopes for." @sharblock.bsky.social in @nycpolicyforum.bsky.social
nycpolicyforum.substack.com/p/just-cause...
"The new Mamdani administration can right this legal wrong in innovative and effective ways... Imposing 'just cause' standards on employers in New York City would flip the at-will employment script." @sharblock.bsky.social in @nycpolicyforum.bsky.social
nycpolicyforum.substack.com/p/just-cause...
Jessica Looman, Virginia Secretary of Labor, addresses the 113th class of the Harvard Trade Union Program. Photos by Lorin Granger.
Participants of the 113th class of the Harvard Trade Union Program raise their hands while listening to Jessica Looman, Virginia Secretary of Labor. Photos by Lorin Granger.
Last week, we were honored to host Jessica Looman, Virginia Secretary of Labor, to address the 113th class of the Harvard Trade Union Program for our annual Jerry Wurf Memorial Forum. Secretary Looman encouraged the class to stay involved in state and local level advocacy, education, and outreach
The minister spoke on a newly issued report that seeks to democratize work in Spain and across Europe. Explore the report from the International Committee of High-Level Experts on Democracy at Work below: reportondemocracyatwork.org/en/home/
“If you spend half of your life in a place where you don’t have a voice...then democracy stops being a shared experience and becomes something distant, almost alien.” @yolandadiaz.bsky.social at CLJE's 2026 Dunlop Forum. Read more from our event with Spain's VP ⬇️
hls.harvard.edu/today/spanis...
Volkswagen workers' recent deal winning 20% raises and lower health care costs comes amid a precarious labor market. "If VW had [refused to negotiate] ... that would have been a very negative signal about this moment."
@sharblock.bsky.social in @axios.com
www.axios.com/2026/02/05/t...
Explore the report from the International Committee of High-Level Experts on Democracy at Work below: reportondemocracyatwork.org/en/home/
Isabelle Ferreras, Yolanda Díaz Peréz, and Sharon Block
Yolanda Díaz Peréz addresses the audience.
Yolanda Díaz Peréz addresses audience after the talk.
We were honored to host Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy of Spain, @yolandadiaz.bsky.social and our colleague @isabelleferreras.bsky.social to discuss the newly issued report on democratizing work in Spain and across Europe, Two Promises to Those Who Work: Voice and Ownership
Join us on Wednesday for the annual Green Memorial Forum on Labor History to hear from Nick Juravich, author and associate professor of labor history @umassboston.bsky.social, on his book Para Power: How Paraprofessional Labor Changed Education. Register here: tinyurl.com/GreenForum2026
HTUP Welcome Sign at IBEW Local 103
Group Photo at the HTUP IBEW Local 103 dinner
HTUP group photo at IBEW Local 103
2026 HTUP Class Tours the IBEW Local 103 Facilities
A big thank you to @ibewinternational.bsky.social Local 103, Training Director Jay DeMello, Business Manager Lou Antonellis and the rest of the team and staff for hosting the 2026 Harvard Trade Union Program for a tour and a dinner of surf, turf, and solidarity!
State level protections are increasingly important. We’ve launched a new series of working papers on strategies for state and local governments to strengthen worker voice, improve conditions, and foster organizing. Check out our first and stay tuned for more: tinyurl.com/yp3r395b
According to @sharblock.bsky.social in @chicagotribune.com, in a time where "there's zero chance" that gig workers will be granted federal collective bargaining rights, the approach Illinois is taking to protect rideshare drivers is "the only way."
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/20/u...
Although the Securities and Exchange Commission exists to protect investors, workers should stay informed of its activities and their effects. Read more from @alvinvelazquez.bsky.social on the relationship between AI disclosure rules, worker power, and union bargaining ⬇️
onlabor.org/what-sec-ai-...
The first paper in our new working paper series argues that extending sectoral models across more of the economy can do more than raise wages and baseline conditions; they help build democratic participation of workers. Read more on the series from @onlabor.bsky.social
onlabor.org/building-wor...
Our first working paper explores sectoral models, a promising strategy to protect and build worker power across industries. Read more about the series @onlabor.bsky.social: onlabor.org/building-wor...
In partnership with Workshop, we’ve launched a new series of working papers on strategies for state and local governments to strengthen worker voice, improve conditions, and foster organizing. Check out our first and stay tuned for more: tinyurl.com/yp3r395b
Today marks the beginning of our 113th Harvard Trade Union Program. Over 80 years old and 5 weeks long, the HTUP is one of Harvard's oldest executive education programs. Learn more about the program and take a look back at the class of 2025: htup.law.harvard.edu
www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_xC...
Check out new research from @adamdean.bsky.social and @jamiemccallum.bsky.social, which looks at the nation's first outdoor heat standard. Findings suggest that properly designed and enforced comprehensive heat standards can protect workers as temperatures rise
www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/...
A look back at 2025: through worker-centered research and convenings to collaborate on innovative labor policies, we’ve continued to strive to advance ideas for building worker power in increasingly challenging times. Here’s to more innovation in 2026.
clje.law.harvard.edu/a-year-in-re...
Check out our year in review! From publishing reports on state and local policy and the relationship between labor and democracy to hosting former senators and ambassadors, we’ve had a productive 2025. Here’s to more collaboration and innovation in 2026.
clje.law.harvard.edu/a-year-in-re...
Read more about our new series of working papers in @onlabor.bsky.social. Our first of the series, "Expanding Sectoral Standard Setting Under NLRA Preemption:
Bringing Workers Together to Build Power and Set Standards in Tripartite Sectoral Model," is out now
onlabor.org/building-wor...
Check out our Year in Review! It's been a productive year: through worker-centered research and convenings to collaborate on innovative labor policies, we’ve continued to strive to advance ideas for building worker power in increasingly challenging times.
clje.law.harvard.edu/a-year-in-re...
"Finding a middle ground between the progressive and conservative versions of labor-law reform will [not] be easy. But the consensus on at least the need for reform is a reason for optimism." - @sharblock.bsky.social debating the future of unions in @wsj.com
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
We hosted Ambassador Katherine Tai to talk about her time as the 19th U.S. Trade Representative under President Biden, where she conducted unprecendented investigations and enforced novel actions to center workers' rights in trade. Watch the conversation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqSn...
What does it look like for a trade policy that promotes economic growth, opportunity, and security to put workers front and center?
Join us TODAY at 12:30pm ET to hear from Ambassador Katherine Tai moderated by @sharblock.bsky.social.
Register at tinyurl.com/KTaiZoom:
In automating hiring, employers are automating bias. AI plays a major role in hiring, yet the U.S. has failed to establish coherent guardrails even as jurisdictions like the European Union have acted decisively. Read our latest on regulating AI in the workplace:
onlabor.org/europe-is-re...