About industry standards boards

What is an industry standards board?

Already common in Europe (Madland, 2023), ISBs are a growing local policy trend in the U.S. (Glass & Madland, 2023). ISBs represent the interests of employees, employers, and the government and, in turn, representatives from each group comprise the ISB and are empowered to determine industry-specific standards. ISBs provide workers a mechanism for collaboration with employers to ameliorate factors contributing to historic declines in labor quality. However, while ISBs are a promising community investment to address limitations of labor policy, research is needed to determine their efficacy in delivering improved job quality.  You can read more about Industry Standards Board here and here.

What is the Detroit Industry Standards Board for Arena Workers?

In 2021 Detroit passed an ordinance to create the first opportunity for Industry Standards Boards in the nation, and in May of 2023, the Detroit City Council unanimously voted to create an Industry Standards Board for Arena Workers at Little Caesars Arena, Ford Field, and Comerica Park. The board

The Arena sector is complex, employing union and non-union workers directly and through contractors as well as having both year round and seasonal employees. Moreover, arena workers represent a wide range of job types such as maintaining equipment and grounds, security, food preparation, and cleaning.

In Detroit, the number of employees potentially affected by this ISB may be as many as 3,000 people. Preliminary data suggests these workers have identified issues ranging from low wages, workplace health and safety risks, training needs, and limited opportunities for advancement and job security. In the Detroit context, these workers are likely to also be enduring a range of structural challenges, including limited city transit, lack of access to affordable and adequate housing, and the environmental and health risks of living in a large, industrial urban area. For these workers, this inaugural Board in Detroit offers a unique opportunity to study the implementation and effects of this policy mechanism as yet unstudied in the United States. Moreover, this research can assess the impact of this Board not only on employment policy and practice but also on the wellbeing of workers and their families. 

Why is this research important?

Though an increasing number of cities and municipalities are using ISBs to create a democratic process to improve working conditions, no research has systematically examined their effectiveness. As the first comprehensive study of an ISB in the U.S., this community-partnered research contributes essential insights to inform policymakers and advance our understanding of ISBs as a promising policy mechanism. The study will directly inform the public and members of the ISB while also providing information to other cities and municipalities implementing ISBs.