Register now for Fall 2008 / Winter-Spring 2009 Labor Education courses

Labor Studies Courses and Certificate Program
To register or get a brochure, call 612-624-5020

How can we balance our jobs and our home life and how does public policy influence our choices? In what ways can people organize to improve workplace safety? These and other topics will be discussed in courses offered over the coming year by the Labor Education Service.


Since the early 1950s, LES has provided non-credit training to Minnesota workers and labor organizations. While much of its programming is customized for specific unions, LES also offers general labor studies classes open to anyone. If they wish, students may enroll to receive a Labor Studies Certificate after the completion of 75 hours of coursework.


Classes are offered through April and are taught by LES staff and adjunct instructors from the labor movement and the community. This year's adjunct instructors include three experienced attorneys, two collective bargaining experts, a work-life advocate and an artist.


Most classes will be held in the Hubert H. Humphrey Center on the West Bank of the university's Minneapolis campus.

To obtain a course brochure and to register, call 612-624-5020. 


Here is the 2008-2009 schedule:

Fall 2008

Mondays

Basic Steward Training (LSC1)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
Designed for the inexperienced steward or member who wants to become a steward. Emphasis placed on steward roles, rights and duties; grievance investigation, writing and presentation; and the day-to-day problem solving the steward must face. Fulfills 10 hours of the contract administration requirement for the Certificate.
$100 6 weeks (Oct. 20 - Nov. 24, 6-8 p.m)
(Spanish translation offered)

Wednesdays

Private Sector Labor Law (LSL1)
Paul Iversen, attorney
Covers basic principles of the National Labor Relations Act. Includes unfair labor practices, discrimination, interference with employee rights, secondary boycotts, good faith bargaining, jurisdictional disputes and other subjects. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor law requirement for the Certificate.
$100 6 weeks (Oct. 15 - Nov. 19, 7-9 p.m.)

Thursdays

Taking Back Our Economy (LSS8)
Howard Kling, LES staff
For over 30 years the conservative wave in the U.S. has created an economy that works only for the few. From war to education, oil prices to the mortgage debacle, health care to job loss, collapsing bridges to falling standards of living, the market utopia is crumbling. Can labor awaken working Americans by pushing for something different? Fulfills 5 hours of the labor and society requirement for the Certificate.
$50 October 9 and 16, 6 -9 p.m.

Saturdays

Political Action & Union Power (LSS9)
Barb Kucera/Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Trace the connection between unions and politics, hear about Minnesota's landmark Farmer-Labor Party and see how labor's political strategy has changed over the past century. Learn how political action can help strengthen unions and expand their capacity for organizing and mobilizing. Fulfills 5 hours of the labor & society requirement for the Certificate.
$50 Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Effective Union Leadership I: Leadership Styles (LSA1)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
Designed to help union members and officers become more successful and effective leaders. Identify leadership styles and examine the use of power in leadership. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Certificate.
$50 Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Trade Union Administration (LSA8)
John Remington, LES staff
Provides union officers and representatives with the principles of management and administration appropriate to unions. Learn about various management styles, union structures and establishing effective committees. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Certificate. Fee includes textbook.
$65 Dec. 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Winter / Spring 2009

Mondays

Contract Campaigns: Organizing to Win (LSO5)
Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Learn how to set contract campaign goals, build strong worksite structures, develop committees, recruit and support new leaders, mobilize allies and pressure employers in strategic ways. Discuss ways to identify and strengthen the union's weaknesses and build solidarity. Fulfills 10 hours of the organizing requirement for the Certificate.
$75 3 weeks (March 16-30, 5:30 - 9 p.m.)
(Spanish translation offered)

Tuesdays

How Globalization Affects You & Your Union (LSS9)
Mary Bellman, LES staff
Globalization is profoundly shaping workplaces in this country and around the world. Analyze the strategies being used by corporations to weaken unions, exploit workers, and consolidate power. Discuss how this economic shift affects your industry, your union, and your quality of life, and learn about innovative ways to fight back. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor & society requirement for the Certificate.
$100 4 weeks (Jan. 13 – Feb. 3, 6-9 p.m.)
(Spanish translation offered)

Labor Rights as Human Rights: Organizing & Advocacy in the 21st Century (LSL8)
Justin Cummins/Francis Rojas, attorneys
Designed for union staff and organizers, this interactive course will cover cutting-edge organizing, political and legal strategies for achieving greater justice and union density. Discuss how to use the human rights framework to combat increasingly aggressive anti-union tactics as globalization expands. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor law requirement for the Certificate. Meets at the IUOE Local #49 Union Hall.
$100 6 weeks (Jan. 20 - Feb. 24, 8:30-10:30 a.m.)

Facilitating Effective Meetings & Trainings (LSA14)
Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Learn the role of a facilitator and approaches for equalizing participation. Develop meeting agendas that work, learn strategies for dealing with politically-charged issues, consider 'popular education' and other ways of sharing information and discuss how to have fun while doing important union work. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration & leadership requirement for the Certificate. Meets at the IUOE Local #49 Union Hall.
$50 March 17, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesdays

Basic Arbitration (LSC3)
Barry Weiner, former NALC national business agent
Covers case preparation and presentation including evidence, opening and closing statements, examination of witnesses and some of the principles arbitrators rely on to decide cases. Fulfills 10 hours of the contract administration requirement for the Certificate.
$100 6 weeks (March 18-Apr. 29, no class Apr. 8, 7-9 p.m.)

Saturdays

Boomer Bombshell: The Retirement Revolution (LSE)
Larry Casey, LES staff/Chris Casey, financial planner
What happened to the retirement promise? Social Security, traditional pensions, personal savings, long term care, Medicare -- find out what you and your union can do to eliminate fear and offer hope while providing for the "golden years." Fulfills 5 hours of the elective requirement for the Certificate.
$50 Jan. 17 & 24, 9 a.m.-Noon

Introduction to the Labor Movement (LSR)
Randy Croce, LES staff
An overview of our labor movement -- its successes and challenges -- in a global context. Learn the structure, organization and evolution of the movement, the impact of union membership on workers and communities and discuss future directions. This is the basic requirement for the Certificate.
$50 Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
(Spanish translation offered)

Effective Union Leadership II: Power & Communications (LSA2)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
Designed to build on the leadership process introduced in Effective Union Leadership I. Examine the different ways we communicate and use power in leadership. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Certificate.
$100 Feb. 7., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Effective Union Leadership III: Personality (LSA 3)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
Although no prerequisite is needed, this course continues the leadership process begun in EUL I and II. Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, each student will learn his or her personality type and how it can be used in leadership situations. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Certificate.
$100 March 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

YouTube, Unions & You (LSS10)
Randy Croce, LES staff
Making your own videos and getting them to an audience is easier than ever. Learn to shoot video in different situations, then edit and post it on YouTube. If you or your union has a camera, bring it. Otherwise, cameras will be provided in class. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor & society requirement for the Certificate.
$100 March 14 & 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
(Spanish translation offered)

Contract Negotiations (LSB1)
Steve Lucht, federal mediator
Designed for new and experienced negotiators desiring to sharpen their skills. Examines the legal framework for collective bargaining, the concept of bargaining power, negotiations preparation, costing contract proposals and drafting contract language. Students will apply learned skills by negotiating a contract in a bargaining simulation. Fulfills 10 hours of the collective bargaining/negotiations requirement for the certificate.
$100 March 28 & Apr. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.