Opportunity in America - Events by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

By: The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
  • Summary

  • The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. This podcast features audio from our public events. Learn more at aspeninstitute.org/eop
    The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
    Show More Show Less
Episodes
  • Workplace Democracy: Sharing Power and Decision Making at Work
    Nov 22 2024


    Democracy may be top of mind for many Americans this election season, but it’s easy to forget that the ideal of democracy has always been about more than filling out one ballot every couple of years. Democratic and participatory principles and practices can strengthen our public spaces, community organizations, social media platforms, and even our workplaces.

    Workers are closest to many of the problems and potential solutions most critical to an enterprise’s performance, holding essential knowledge about safety, productivity, and culture. Employers who fail to sufficiently listen or value their workers’ voices miss opportunities to innovate and improve productivity — and may suffer from workers’ decreased job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. We know workers want a seat at the table on issues from pay and benefits to safety, culture, and accountability, not only because they say so in surveys, but, increasingly, because they’re organizing to win it. Companies that genuinely seek to leverage workers’ insights often deploy tactics like surveys and town hall meetings that fall short of capturing representative input or turning feedback into action. But democratic mechanisms like shared ownership, board level co-determination, and labor-management partnerships can unlock benefits by enabling a truly collaborative, participatory work environment.

    In this virtual event — hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program on November 20, 2024 — experts and practitioners share insights on how different democratic structures and strategies can create better workplaces and businesses. Panelists also share their own experiences and extrapolate learnings that may apply to others looking to build more vibrant, participatory work environments. Our speakers include:

    • Julian McKinley, Co-Executive Director, Democracy at Work Institute

    • Lenore Palladino, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst

    • Larry Williams Jr., Founder and President, UnionBase

    • Liba Wenig Rubenstein (moderator), Director, Aspen Business Roundtable on Organized Labor

    For more information about this event, including a transcript, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/workplace-democracy-sharing-power-and-decision-making-at-work/

    For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to EOP’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP

    Or subscribe to the “Opportunity in America” podcast to listen on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Community Benefits Agreements: A Tool for Creating Good Jobs
    Oct 24 2024

    Announcements of a big employer moving to town, or a large infrastructure project, can often spark excitement. Local communities see the potential for big benefits, including new and better jobs and other investment in community needs. Too often, however, these benefits do not materialize. Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs), binding agreements created between community groups and organizations like real estate developers or large employers, are a powerful alternative that ensure people have a real say in shaping the outcomes these new investments will create for their communities.

    Jobs to Move America (JMA) is a national leader in leveraging CBAs to improve jobs and provide opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities and workers. CBAs have allowed JMA to build consensus between affected workers and employers on policies that would benefit the community — from reformed hiring practices to improved training and protecting workers from discrimination.

    In this webinar — which took place on October 23, 2024 — we hear from experts and practitioners about their experiences implementing CBAs and leveraging them to improve job quality in their communities. Our speakers include:

    • Jay Mehta, Manager (opening remarks), Community Benefits Agreement Resource Center, Jobs to Move America

    • Erica Iheme, Co-Executive Director, Jobs to Move America

    • Amanda Woodrum, Co-Director, ReImagine Appalachia

    • Grace Adcox, Senior Climate Strategist, Data for Progress

    • Matt Helmer (moderator), Managing Director, Economic Opportunities Program, The Aspen Institute

    This event was co-hosted by JMA and the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP). It is part of EOP’s Job Quality in Practice webinar series, which examines the strategies and approaches practitioners are using to improve job quality and expand economic opportunity.

    For more information about this event, including a transcript, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/community-benefits-agreements-a-tool-for-creating-good-jobs/

    For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to EOP’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP

    Or subscribe to the “Opportunity in America” podcast to listen on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop

    Join us November 20 on Zoom for our next webinar, “Workplace Democracy: Sharing Power and Decision Making at Work.” Click here to RSVP: https://aspeninstitute.zoom.us/webinar/register/5817297828083/WN_XAV8eUIoS6W6OSjNrSojbQ

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • A Hidden Workforce: Prison Labor, Human Rights, and the Legacy of Slavery
    Oct 11 2024

    The passage of the 13th Amendment following the American Civil War abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, but it included a crucial exception: “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” This exception allowed southern governments to institute an early version of prison labor called convict leasing. Black Americans arrested for minor offenses, once imprisoned, were effectively purchased from state and local governments by individuals and companies looking to continue using cheap labor. This allowed individuals and companies to keep slavery in action. Though the practice of convict leasing ended in the mid-20th century, its infamous traits can still be seen in today’s incarceration system.

    Today, the majority of incarcerated workers in the US, who are disproportionately Black and people of color, are often required to work or face retaliation such as solitary confinement, denial of opportunities to reduce their sentence, and loss of family visitation. They work jobs that might pay pennies on the hour, if they are paid at all, and are often not protected by labor laws. Many work in dangerous conditions. At the same time, some find deep purpose in their work behind bars, an opportunity to build skills, and support in making a successful transition to life after incarceration.

    In this webinar — which took place on October 10, 2024 — we explore the history and conditions of work for incarcerated people and ideas for creating more humane and dignified work for those behind bars. Our speakers include:

    • Andrea Armstrong, Dr. Norman C. Francis Distinguished Professor of Law, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; Founder, IncarcerationTransparency.org

    • Anthony Cantillo, Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections

    • Fred Redmond, Secretary-Treasurer, AFL-CIO

    • Terrance Winn, Founder and Director, Priorities, Intentions, Practical Exchanges (PIPES)

    • Margie Mason (moderator), Investigative Reporter, The Associated Press

    • Matt Helmer (opening and closing remarks), Managing Director, The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

    For more information about this event, including a transcript, speaker bios, and additional resources, visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/a-hidden-workforce-prison-labor-human-rights-and-the-legacy-of-slavery/

    For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to EOP’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AspenEOP

    Or subscribe to the “Opportunity in America” podcast to listen on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop

    Join us October 23 on Zoom for our next webinar, “Community Benefits Agreements: A Tool for Creating Good Jobs,” hosted in partnership with Jobs to Move America. Click here to RSVP: https://aspeninstitute.zoom.us/webinar/register/8117286582590/WN_l4Lcw4p5Qji2hC7BgeuUOQ

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins

What listeners say about Opportunity in America - Events by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.