Due to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and increasing numbers of our participants being asked by their organizations not to travel, the Notre Dame Just Wage Forum scheduled for March 19–21, 2020 is cancelled. 

We hope to be able to reschedule this gathering soon, ideally in the fall semester 2020. Please check the Higgins Labor Program webpages for updates. 

All sessions will be held in the coffee house at Geddes Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Geddes Hall is located behind the Hesburgh Library and across from Breen-Phillips Hall on St. Joseph Drive (see Notre Dame’s interactive map). Parking is available in campus visitor lots.

Thursday, March 19, 2020

5:00–7:00 p.m. 

Just Wage Tool Public Launch and Reception

Morris Inn Ballrooms

For three years a group of scholars and students convened by the Higgins Labor Program have been developing an online Just Wage Tool to help answer the question “What makes any given wage just or unjust?” On March 19–21, we celebrate the Just Wage Tool’s public unveiling and gather a group of national experts — academics, activists, and advocates — to engage ways to promote justice at the workplace. All are welcome and encouraged to join us at the public launch and reception on March 19! Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Formal program begins at 6:00 p.m. 

Friday, March 20

8:00–8:30 a.m. 

Continental Breakfast

Coffee, pastries, and fruit available in the coffee house beginning at 8:00 a.m. and throughout the day

8:30–9:30 a.m.

Introductions and Overviews

Welcome and Agenda

Dan Graff, Ph.D., director, Higgins Labor Program, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

The Seven Just Wage Criteria: A Perspective from Historical Study of a Living Wage

Donald R. Stabile, Ph.D., professor of economics, St. Mary’s College of Maryland (St. Mary’s City, Maryland)

9:45–11:15 a.m.

Criterion 1: A Just Wage enables decent life for worker and household

Thea Lee, president, Economic Policy Institute (Washington, D.C.)

Stephanie Gharakhanian, special counsel, Workers Defense Project (Austin, Texas)

Chair and Commentator: Tom Stapleford, Ph.D., associate professor of history and philosophy of science, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

11:30–1:00 p.m.

Criterion 2: A Just Wage enables asset-building

Clemens Sedmak, Ph.D., professor of social ethics, Keough School for Global Affairs, and advisor in Catholic social tradition, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

Randy Kinder, president, AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation (Washington, D.C.)

Chair and Commentator: Judy Fox, J.D., clinical professor of law and director, Economic Justice Clinic, University of Notre Dame Law School (South Bend, Indiana)
 

1:00–2:00 p.m.

Lunch

 

2:00–3:30 p.m.

Criterion 3: A Just Wage provides basic social security for worker and household

Andrew Schrank, Ph.D., Olive C. Watson Professor of Sociology and International and Public Affairs, Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)

Clayton Sinyai, executive director, Catholic Labor Network (Washington, D.C.)

Chair and Commentator: Emily Merola, undergraduate student in economics and the Hesburgh Program in Public Service, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)
 

3:45–5:15 p.m.

Criterion 4: A Just Wage is free of any taint of discrimination

Charlice Hurst, Ph.D., assistant professor of management and organization, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

Monalisa, labor and human rights attorney, European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (Berlin, Germany)

Chair and Commentator: Connie Mick, Ph.D., director, Academic Affairs, Center for Social Concerns, and co-director, Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary Minor, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

6:00–7:00 p.m.

Dinner

Hesburgh Center for International Studies Atrium

7:00–8:30 p.m.

Criterion 5: A Just Wage is not excessive

C103A Hesburgh Center for International Studies

Dan Graff, Ph.D., director, Higgins Labor Program, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)

Sr. Quincy Howard, O.P., government relations specialist, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice (Washington, D.C.)

Chair & Commentator: Brett Beasley, Ph.D., associate director, Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, and concurrent assistant teaching professor of management and organization, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)
 

Saturday, March 21

8:00–8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

Coffee, pastries, and fruit available in the coffee house beginning at 8:00 a.m. and throughout the day
 

8:30–10:00 a.m.

Criterion 6: A Just Wage reflects participation by workers

Naomi R. Williams, Ph.D., assistant professor, School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

Damon Silvers, J.D., director of policy and special counsel, AFL-CIO (Washington, D.C.)

Chair and Commentator: Kevin Christiano, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)
 

10:15–11:45 a.m.

Criterion 7: A Just Wage considers performance, qualification, and type of work

Katherine Eva Maich, Ph.D., assistant professor of labor and employment relations, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pennsylvania)

Patrick Regan, entrepreneur, Crossroads Solar: Solar Panel Manufacturing (South Bend, Indiana)

Marty Whalen, entrepreneur, Crossroads Solar: Solar Panel Manufacturing (South Bend, Indiana)

Chair and Commentator: Eve Kelly, First Year Academic Advisor, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)
 

12:00–1:15 p.m.

Implications and Applications (Working Lunch)

Kevin Hawkins, federal mediator, U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (South Bend, Indiana)

Stuart Mora, president, Unite Here Local 23 (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Chair and Commentator: Clemens Sedmak, Ph.D., professor of social ethics, Keough School for Global Affairs, and advisor in Catholic social tradition, Center for Social Concerns, University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Indiana)