Jennifer Sherer is director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) State Worker Power Initiative. Her work focuses on expanding the ability of working people to achieve racial, gender, and economic justice through organizing, collective bargaining, and public policies that promote worker voice.
Prior to joining EPI in 2021, Sherer served as director of the University of Iowa Labor Center, leading statewide worker outreach, education, and leadership development programming in close partnership with labor unions and community organizations. As director, she coordinated interdisciplinary research and engagement; taught on a range of worker rights, gender and racial justice, and labor policy subjects; and led initiatives to extend labor education to new audiences. Her published work includes articles on wage theft, public-sector collective bargaining, women’s labor education, and working-class voters. While at the Labor Center, Sherer also directed the Iowa Labor History Oral Project, helped found the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa, co-coordinated the Midwest School for Women Workers, and served on the boards of the Labor and Working Class History Association and Labor Studies Journal.
Sherer first became active in the labor movement over 20 years ago as a local union officer, a project staff organizer for the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers (UE), and a leader of student anti-sweatshop campaigns while earning her PhD. She has since served as a local labor council delegate, volunteered in dozens of issue campaigns, and walked many picket lines. She is a board member of Common Good Iowa (formerly the Iowa Policy Project).
Education
Ph.D., English, University of Iowa
B.A., English and Neuroscience, Oberlin College
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Florida legislature proposes dangerous rollback of child labor protections: At least 16 states have introduced bills putting children at risk
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What to know about this summer’s strike activity: What’s spurring the rise in labor actions?
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How state policies that censor race and gender discussions in classrooms maintain economic inequality: Florida has adopted particularly dangerous laws to limit academic freedom
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Testimony in support of SB 170 and SB 171 before the Michigan Senate Labor Committee: Repeal of Michigan laws preempting local labor standards will empower communities to address inequality, boost low wages, and ensure major public investments generate good jobs
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Iowa governor signs one of the most dangerous rollbacks of child labor laws in the country: 14 states have now introduced bills putting children at risk
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Child labor laws are under attack in states across the country: Amid increasing child labor violations, lawmakers must act to strengthen standards
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Why ‘right-to-work’ was always wrong for Michigan: Restoring workers’ rights is key to reversing growing income inequality in Michigan
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Flexible work without exploitation: Reversing tech companies’ state-by-state agenda to unravel workers’ rights and misclassify workers as ‘contractors’ in the gig economy and beyond
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Major strike activity increased nearly 50% in 2022: Upcoming Supreme Court case threatens workers’ ability to strike
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Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment sets new bar for state worker power policy: Other state legislatures should seize the moment to advance worker, racial, and gender justice in 2023
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Voters turned out for economic justice: A review of key ballot measures from the 2022 midterm elections
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California’s FAST Recovery Act is a victory for fast food workers and a model for state labor policy
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The future of work depends on stopping Amazon’s union busting: Shareholders and policymakers must all play a role in protecting Amazon workers’ rights
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EPI comments on DOL’s proposed updates to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts regulations
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No more union-busting. It’s time for companies to give their workers what they deserve
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Strong and equitable unemployment insurance systems require broadening the UI tax base
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Much has changed since the first May Day, but building worker power and combating racism and xenophobia remain just as important
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This Workers Memorial Day, honor lives lost by joining workers’ fight for a future that includes safe work
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Unions can reduce the public-sector pay gap: Collective bargaining rights and local government workers
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Testimony to the Washington State Senate Transportation Committee on ESHB 2076: Concerning rights and obligations of transportation network company drivers and transportation network companies
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More worker power is the only sure path to safe work and pandemic recovery
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Few Midwestern states are providing premium pay to essential workers, despite American Rescue Plan funding
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Worker-led state and local policy victories in 2021 showcase potential for an equitable recovery