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News from the UW School for Workers |
Spring 2012
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SFW Named Top Educator  | |
The School for Workers was recognized by its peers as a leader in labor education.
The "Outstanding Contribution to Labor Education" award was presented by the United Association for Labor Education" (UALE) during UALE's annual conference March 24 in Pittsburgh.
"It's an enormous honor to receive such an award from our peers in what is the preeminent professional association for labor educators in the United States and Canada," said Don Taylor, Assistant Professor at the School for Workers.
UALE nominated two other organizations for this award, including: a program titled, "What You Really Ought to Know about US Labor History," developed by the United Steelworkers Local 787, and the "Avondale Shipyard Research Project."
"It's great to be recognized for the work we are doing to help unions in Wisconsin adapt to the new legal environment and rebuild strong organizations," said Taylor.
Director Corliss Olson and Assistant Professor Don Taylor accepted the award on behalf of the School for Workers. The School for Workers is grateful to receive this award and strives to continue making a positive and lasting impact on the future of labor education. |
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| "Talking Union" Tip: What's your union style? | |
Service model vs. Power-based model
Like it or not, it's a whole new ballgame for today's labor movement. Gone are the days when union members simply put in dues money and expected a service in return - like a soda machine. New laws, new management styles, new economic conditions, and new opportunities are waiting. Are you ready?
Not sure? Check this out:
Is your union's style: a vending machine or a solidarity machine?
Throughout history, workers' greatest victories have come when they acted together, not when they paid dues and union officers took care of the problems for them. Look at the environment your union operates in. Is it time to become a solidarity machine?
The School for Workers offers comprehensive courses that help you find your union's style and develop strategies to effectively operate and strengthen your union for the future. Participants will leave with a plan. Contact us for information or to host these courses at your site. |
| More than just classes | |
Just missed a great program? Need some help but can't find the right fit? Consider custom-made programming for your union or local area labor council. The School for Workers faculty is available to customize material to meet your needs. We're labor educators working for you. Plan now for summer or fall union meetings or educational series.
Consider:
- A movie night! Learning labor history through Oscar-winning films or documentaries, led by a labor history buff and experienced facilitator is a fun way to recharge and enliven members.
- Steward Training, whether basic or advanced, customzied for your union.
- Taking Back Your Workplace or Turning New Members into Union Activists -- two great topics to strengthen your union for the future.
- Vision, strategies and goal setting sessions. Where do you go from here? The School for Workers faculty are knowledgeable, trained facilitators to help you identify a direction for your union or for your members' personal growth.
Plan soon for fall! Watch for our fall program guide to come soon. Why get info now for September (or later) programs & workshops? This helps give members time to present their request to their union for approval. Get started now for a great, informative fall! |
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Upcoming Programs Register Today! | |
Upcoming training programs in Madison offer a depth of training only an on-site multi-day program could offer. Such comprehensive instruction on key topics are vital to a strong local.
The courses held in Madison include:
-Bargaining Health Care (May 2-4) Are your contracts up soon? Are you ready to effectively negotiate the best for your members? This class not only explains the changing federal health care legislation and how it will affect bargaining; practical exercises will give you the confidence to step up.
-Grievance Arbitration (May 7-10) Begin with a thorough explanation of the grievance process and practice that process to prepare and present a mock arbitration case to an actual arbitrator.
-Union Communications - Creating an Effective Web Presence (May 15-17)
The new generation of union members are tech savvy. The impact of the Web on outreach has been incredible. Are you using it effectively? This practical class offers hands-on instruction using laptops to create dynamic, effective communication through the most popular social media tools: Facebook, YouTube, E-mail lists, Google Groups and much more.
- Workers Compensation Refresher(June 5) This one-day course covers issues, trends, policies and rules, court decision, and recent determinations of the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council.
- FMLA and Disability Law Update(June 6-7) The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Americans with Disabilities Act were significantly changed in 2008. This concise refersher covers the latest in these evoloving laws.
Click our link for complete course descriptions and fees. Register early and save! |
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What We've Been Doing | |
School for Workers Activities January 2012-March 2012
Spring is the season for graduations. The School for Workers has marked a number of successful program completions and many other projects:
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IBEW District 6 worked through complicated issues facing unions at its January "Boot Camp" |
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Graduates and faculty of our
2012 Union Administration institute |
January 2012
Labor Studies for Apprentices - IBEW 159, Madison
Taking Back Your Workplace - Teamsters Joint Council 25, Chicago IL
Labor History Through Film - Madison
Organizer Boot Camp - IBEW 6th District, Madison February 2012 Strategic Planning for Mobilization - Green Bay Member Organizer Committee Training - UFCW Local 1473, Milwaukee March 2012 Steward Training - Milwaukee and Madison Steward Training - Teamsters, Atlanta, GA Union Administration - Madison
Collective Bargaining Training - IUOE Local 317, Superior |
| New faculty receives another award | 
Ibarra's dissertation, "Poverty in the Valley of Plenty: Mexican Families and Migrant Work in California," received second place in the organization's 2012 national competition.
In addition to presenting and leading Steward Training and organizing programs in Spanish, Ibarra is also on faculty with Chicano and Latino studies at the University of Wisconsin.
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| What are you thinking? | |
Unions have never been more influx than they are right now. How are you doing? Take this short, painless and kinda fun survey. We'll share the results on our Facebook page and in the next issue of this newsletter. Click here and Tell us your thoughts on labor education. |
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For women only! |
Union women are invited to develop their leadership skills, understand challenges and issues facing the labor movement and share their experiences at the annual Midwest School for Women Workers, July 25-29 in Iowa City, IA.
"It's incredibly inspiring and refreshing to be among women whose shared vision is to strengthen their world through their local labor movement," said Corliss Olson, Director of the School for Workers.
This program has been held since 1976 and meets the unique needs of women active at all levels of their unions, including rank-and-file activists, elected leaders, stewards and staff. More information is available here or by calling 319-335-4144, Jennifer Sherer, coordinator. |
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