Center for Work and Democracy
El Centro del Trabajo y Democracia
Beyond the NLRB: Contemporary Strategies and Practices for Labor Movement Renewal
This research looks at different worker empowerment strategies outside of the NLRB model that have potential to build the political power of working people or redistribute social wealth.
Majority Rules: The Battle for Ballot Initiatives
The Ballot Initiatives Project explores the current fight over voters’ access to the ballot initiative process.
"Organize the Unorganized: The Rise of the CIO"
Explore "Organize the Unorganized," a podcast from Dr. Ben Fong on the growth, importance, and legacy of the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
2024 Conference Recap
This year, the CWD's annual conference was focused on Worker Power and Economic Democracy. You can watch a recap of the conference on our YouTube channel!
On The Seams
On The Seams is a Substack newsletter created by Associate Director Ben Fong and Activist-in-Residence Scott Jenkins. As behemoths like Walmart and Amazon expand their logistical operations, understanding their evolution is key for effective organizing. The newsletter discusses labor and logistics and intends to be an informational hub for organizers, researchers, and labor strategists.
Amplifying voices
The Center for Work and Democracy was founded in 2019 to connect university knowledge production to the challenges facing working people in our increasingly unequal and exclusionary society. The video on the right tells the Center's story.
The Center understands that working people have been marginalized in our polity, and conducts research with organizations whose missions are to increase the voice and power of the working class in order to support greater social change.
Project spotlight
Beyond the NLRB: Contemporary Strategies and Practices for Labor Movement Renewal
Benjamin Y. Fong Michael McQuarrie, and Maria Esch
This research looks at different worker empowerment strategies outside of the National Labor Relations Board model that have potential to build the political power of working people or redistribute social wealth.
Upcoming events
A Talk with Fred Block
On March 18, 2025, Fred Block will visit ASU's Tempe campus for a two-part event. First, Block will host a…
Virtual (via Zoom), In person (West Hall room 135)
Open House Luncheons
Join CWD staff, RAs, faculty affiliates, board members, and other allies for updates on the Center, networking, lunch,…
Wilson Hall, 4th floor, near room 434
"One of the things I really love about the Center is that it approaches scholarship in a way that I think is valuable and necessary... We use academic modes of training and we try to create research that we can share with the broader public"
– Rashad Shabazz, Advisory Board Member