A student research project out of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations is gaining national attention by examining the right subject at the right time.
The study "Worker Turnover and Part-Time Employment at UPS" was a student project that originated in a course on labor research, taught last semester by Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research.
The Washington Post first reported the study's findings in its Aug. 7 edition, in an article on the tensions of part-time work.
"Working on this study during the summer, I wondered if anything much would come of it," said Cornell graduate student researcher Matthew O'Malley. "Now it's an integral part of a struggle for justice that's claiming national attention. I'm thrilled."
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters approached Bronfenbrenner earlier this year about conducting a survey of United Parcel Service workers on the issue of part-time employment. Bronfenbrenner took on the assignment, which was funded by the Teamsters union, and gave much of the research responsibilities to the students.
O'Malley and his fellow students surveyed 134 former UPS workers on issues related to their employment as part-time workers. Chief among the study's findings are:
The report concludes: "Given the unsafe work environment, the poor treatment by management and the lack of opportunities for full-time employment, it is no surprise that the turnover rate among UPS workers is so high."
"This project has given me a sense of what union research entails," said O'Malley, who is working on his master's degree in industrial and labor relations. "That's important to me because I'm certain that my working life will be devoted to strengthening the labor movement as an organizer, researcher and educator."
Working alongside O'Malley as project staff were undergraduates Seth Perretta and Matthew Schum and ILR research aide Katie Briggs.