Institute of Politics

For generations, the leaders of American labor came largely from factory floors, building trades and classrooms. Over the last several years – fueled by stagnant wages and poor working conditions in the service economy and beyond – that visage has gotten younger and more diverse, reflecting new work dynamics. From Hollywood writers rooms and Starbucks, REI and Apple stores to Amazon warehouses and college campuses, new labor faces both old and neoteric challenges as they seek to even the playing field in the workplace.

Featuring Chicago-based Starbucks worker and union leader Shep Searl, Writers Guild of America negotiating committee member James Schamus, who produced Brokeback Mountain, Sense and Sensibility, and Hulk, and Chicago Federation of Labor president Bob Reiter. Moderated by former IOP Pritzker Fellow and former MoveOn executive director Anna Galland.