St. John's School of Law Presents a Conference Titled: "The Theology of Work and the Dignity of Workers," March 18-19

March 07, 2011

The Center for Labor and Employment Law of the St. John’s University School of Law presents a symposium titled: The Theology of Work and the Dignity of Workers on March 18-19.

The minimum wage is insufficient and the living wage initiative has had a fitful contemporary history. Often those who are fortunate to earn decent wages are working beyond exhaustion and are in a chronic state of sleep deprivation.

This two-day conference will bring together prominent leaders across a range of disciplines to explore issues surrounding the Theology of Work and Dignity of Workers. Featured speakers include:

  • Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of New York
  • Denis Hughes, President, New York State AFL-CIO
  • Bob King, President, the United Auto Workers Union (UAW)
  • Gene Orza, Major League Baseball Players Association, Chief Operating Officer
  • Robert Sugarman, Esq., National Chairman, The Anti-Defamation League
  • Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO
  • Jeff Zaino, Vice President, American Arbitration Association

Several panels are planned to discuss labor issues from political, legal and religious standpoints. The featured panel is titled "Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire" and will take place on March 18 at 3:15 p.m.

Additional panels on Friday include: Employers, Employees, Unions---Restoring the Common Good; Recent Supreme Court Decisions and Their Likely Adverse Impact on Employment Arbitration; and Religion in a Pluralistic Workplace---Striking the Appropriate Balance.

Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO, will deliver the Conference Keynote Address on Friday at 7 p.m.

Saturday panels include: A Conversation with Catholic Bishops and Scholars regarding The Theology of Work and the Dignity of Workers; Interfaith Initiatives re: the Dignity of Work and Workers; Catholic Social Teaching, Applied; The Intersections of Labor/Civil/Human Rights; Ameliorating the Broken Employment Relationship, and Restoring the Dignity of Workers: From the Utility of Alternative Dispute Resolution to the Solidarity of Labor Songs; and A Conversation on the Future of Labor. 

His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of New York will present the Distinguished Lecture on Saturday, March 19 at 10:30 a.m.

Please visit the conference website for a full agenda, details on additional speakers and registration information.

For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Reilly, Associate Director of Media Relations at St. John’s, by calling (718) 990-5789, or by e-mail to reillye@stjohns.edu.