In early 2020, when stay-at-home orders swept across the United States in response to the coronavirus outbreak, workers’ rights advocates were presented with an array of new challenges, forcing them to rapidly adjust. In the intervening time, digital platforms and tools have been used to connect workers and magnify their voices, share information about the problems workers are confronting, mobilize different forms of support and mutual aid, and make demands of employers and policy makers. Accelerated as they were by the pandemic, these uses of digital tools are not new. Mainstream social media platforms, despite serious drawbacks, have played an important role in a variety of social movements, and custom-built platforms have supported a range of efforts to improve the lives of working people.
Led by Beth Gutelius, research director at the Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago, this panel discussion will delve into the potential—and potential drawbacks—of using digital tools for workers’ benefit. Joining Beth in conversation will be leading innovators, including Aquilina Soriano, Executive Director of the Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California; Nidhi Mirani, Executive Director of Carina; Brian Young, Executive Director of Action Network; Drew Ambrogi, Digital Director of Coworker.