Labor Education Programs at LER
LEP Update
LEP Update
October 25, 2009
www.illinoislabored.org
Check out LEP’s Calendar of Events
New communications tool run by Chris Rolling at Union Communications: http://unionstrategiesforhardtimes.com/
October 27, Tuesday, Chicago
“Bailout for Bandits” demonstration at American Bankers Association Conference. Anna Burger and Richard Trumka will be there. JwJ send-off breakfast, 8:30-9:30 am at 333 S. Ashland. Parking is available and we'll load buses from Teamster City. March begins at Wacker & Stetson, 10:30am. Rally at 301 N. Water, 11am across from the Sheraton. Info at: www.stopbankgreed.org and www.showdowninchicago.org Let them know you're coming by clicking on this link
October 31, Saturday, Chicago
Public Sector Workers Conference
“Facing the Budget Crisis” UE Hall, 37 South Ashland, 9:00 – 3:30 pm
More than half the day will be spent strategizing for action. Sponsored by Labor Notes, $5 or free for unemployed. Contact: paul@labornotes.org, 313.842.6262 or Steven Edwards, at welfarewrkr@igc.org
November 9, Monday, Chicago
7-9 PM. Book Forum with Steve Early, author of “Embedded with Organized Labor: Journalistic Reflections on the Class War at Home.” No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood Avenue, Morris El stop on the red line
November 14, Saturday, Chicago
Hispanic Initiative Workers Rights Training, 9 am – 4 pm
National Latino Education Institute, 2011 W. Pershing Road, Chicago
Learn about workplace issues and resources to better assist your constituents. Topics: labor law, FMLA, worker health and safety, protections against discrimination, workplace rights for immigrants and immigrant rights to SSA. This is a free event put on by the University of Illinois Labor Education Program and open to all members of the community. Reservations recommended: Call 312-996-2624
November 14, Saturday, Champaign
Union Democracy: Your rights in your union.
10 am – 4 pm at 504 East Armory Street
One-day seminar for elected officers who want to increase the power of their union through democratic participation and for rank and file who want to learn how to exercise democratic rights in the union. Detroit attorney Barbara Harvey, who has worked on union democracy issues for 30 years, and Richard Grba, compliance officer from the Department of Labor, will present. Topics: Members’ Rights in the Union, (LMRDA), case studies.
$35 includes class materials and lunch. Contact Joe Berry at joeberry@illinois.edu or Martha Kelley at 217-333-0980
November 14 & 15, Saturday and Sunday, Cherry
100th Anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster
Honor the lives and memory of the 259 men and boys who died in the Cherry, Illinois mine disaster 100 years ago. This horrific mine explosion initiated what would become today's Workers' Compensation. Saturday: Dedication of the new monument. Invited speakers include Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, and United Mine Workers International Executive Board Member and District 12 Director Steve Earle, as well as musical guest Bucky Halker. Call 312-952-1140 with questions.
November 24, Tuesday, Chicago
Fundraiser for Arise Chicago. Keynote speaker Jerry Kellman, who mentored Barak Obama as a young community organizer in Chicago will talk about the organizing principles applied to the presidential campaign and lessons for today’s organizing climate. 8:00-9:30 am, Operating Engineers L. 399 Hall, 2260 S. Grove. Donation $75. Info: 773-769-6000 or shelly@arisechicago.org
December 4-6, Wyndham Hotel (O’Hare) Chicago
USLAW National Assembly
Does your union use Twitter?
http://www.labourstart.org/twittersurvey2009.html
Teachers Union Runs Teacher Training
Teachers interested in planning a study trip to Instituto Superior de Educacao e Trabalho in Lisbon, Portugal, in summer of 2010 contact Helena Worthen, Hworthen@illinois.edu This is a college and university organized by, established by, and run by the teachers’ union in Portugal. The building trades control education for their work; why don’t teachers? Let’s go see how they do it.
LEP Update
October 14, 2009
www.illinoislabored.org
Check out LEP’s Calendar of Events
October 21, Champaign
LER Forum on 21st Century Assumptions
With Terence O’Sullivan, International President LIUNA
Wagner Education Center, 504 East Armory
5:00- 6:30 in the Wagner Education Center
Saturday, November 14, Chicago
Workers Rights Training- Hispanic Initiative.
9 am – 4 pm
National Latino Education Institute, 2011 W. Pershing Road, Chicago
Learn about workplace issues and resources to better assist your constituents. Topics include: labor law, FMLA, worker health and safety, protections against discrimination, workplace rights for immigrants and immigrant rights to SSA. This is a free event put on by the University of Illinois Labor Education program and open to all members of the community. Reservations recommended: Call 312-996-2624
Saturday, November 14, Champaign
Union Democracy: Your rights in your union.
One-day seminar for elected officers who want to increase the power of their union through democratic participation and for rank and file who want to learn how to exercise democratic rights in the union. Detroit attorney Barbara Harvey, who has worked on union democracy issues for 30 years, and Richard Grba, compliance officer from the Department of Labor, will present. Topics: Landrum-Griffin (LMRDA), case studies.
$35 includes class materials and lunch.
10 am – 4 pm on Saturday at 504 East Armory Street.
Contact Joe Berry at joeberry@illinois.edu or Martha Kelley at 217-333-0980
November 14 & 15, Cherry
100th Anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster
Honor the lives and memory of the 259 men and boys who died in the Cherry, Illinois mine disaster 100 years ago. This horrific mine explosion initiated what would become today's Workers' Compensation. Saturday: Dedication of the new monument. Invited speakers include Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, and United Mine Workers International Executive Board Member and District 12 Director Steve Earle, as well as musical guest Bucky Halker. Call 312-952-1140 with questions.
Chicago
Yesenia Vargas, 312-996-2624, yvargas@illinois.edu
Champaign
Martha Kelley, 217-333-0980, memoore1@illinois.edu
September 12, 2009
Check out LEP’s Calendar of Events
ARCHIE GREEN memorial celebration
September 14
Champaign
7 pm at 504 East Armory Street. Archie Green, labor educator and ILIR librarian, was founder of the American Folk Life Center which is part of the Smithsonian Museum. He organized and led the folksong group which was the largest student organization on the UIUC campus in the 1970s.
CHAMPAIGN CONFERENCES
Local Union Presidents’ School
Sept. 24th-26th, 2009, Champaign, IL
For elected leaders and officers, meet and share updates, strategies and case studies. Legal updates, trends in workers compensation, current struggles, labor and politics.
Conference Registration Deadline: Sept. 14, 2009.
Collective Bargaining Conference
November 19-21, 2009, Champaign, IL
Confronting the worst of hard times: budget cuts, plant closings, layoffs, furloughs, outsourcing and downsizing Living under the contract: considering enforcement while we negotiate. What does a good contract look like?
CHICAGO CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Basic Certificate in Labor Studies Classes (BCLS)
Chicago
Introduction to the American Labor Movement
6-wk course - Tuesdays, September 22, 2009 thru October 27, 2009 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Basic Steward Training
6-wk course - Tuesdays, November 10, 2009 thru December 15, 2009 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies Classes (ACLS) Chicago
Current Issues in the Labor Movement
6-wk course - Wednesdays, September 23, 2009 thru October 28, 2009 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Advanced Steward Training
6-wk course - Wednesdays, November 11, 2009 thru December 16, 2009 6:00 –8:30 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN CERTIFICATE CLASS
Building and Rebuilding the Labor Movement Champaign, IL
Thursday Evenings from 6:00–8:30 pm. From September 24 to November 19, 2009
Where did this crisis come from and where is it headed? How can we help our members in this crisis? Participants who complete the class will get a combined Union Community Action Network (UCAN) and Labor Education Program (LEP/LER) certificate.
September 17
Chicago
27th Annual Federal Sector Labor Relations & Labor Law Conference
Chicago-Kent College of Law presents a day of interactive discussion with some of the foremost federal sector labor relations leaders and practitioners. The conference focuses on federal sector and postal labor relations and law. IL MCLE Credit: 5.75 general hours, including 1.25 hours of ethics (pending approval).
September 18
“How Do We Get America Out of Debt?” Champaign UIUC YMCA
Thomas Geoghegan, Labor Lawyer and Author, Despres, Schwartz and Geoghegan Ltd. Noon to 1 pm.
Our country melted down because it lived beyond its means. Why is it that other high wage countries like Germany are able to run trade surpluses and out compete us in the world economy? Tom Geoghegan, author of “The Secret Lives of Citizens” argues that the only way to make the country more competitive is to move to a European-type social democracy. 1001 South Wright Street, Champaign. 217-337-1500
September 19
Chicago
The Banking Industry: What Workers Need to Know About the Current State of the Industry, the Roles of Bank Regulators, and the Federal Reserve
This course/symposium will address questions many working people are wondering about, including: if it’s still safe to keep their savings in a bank, how banks are regulated, what functions the Federal Reserve System is responsible for, and where the banking industry is headed.
September 29
Older Healthcare Workers: Addressing Health and Safety Challenges on the Job
Chicago
A conference sponsored by University of Illinois School of Public Health.
Learn about programs and policies to design safe workplaces and accommodate the work/life/health needs of an increasingly aging health care workforce. Detailed program information and registration: www.publichealthlearning.com, or contact Marsha Love at lovem@uic.edu
October 1-2
Chicago
Capital Stewardship & Fiduciary Duties Course
What is capital stewardship? Why is pension fund investment important? This course introduces trustees and union leaders to the importance of capital stewardship and pension activism. Offered in partnership with the National Labor College. You can earn one college credit hour by taking this course.
October 5th in English, October 26th in Spanish
Chicago
Worker’s Compensation
Learn about the law and what it means specifically to you. Learn what to do if you or someone in your group gets injured. Learn about your rights and get all your questions answered. Only $5!
Fall Online Labor Studies Registration
8-week classes start Mon. Oct. 19th
Don’t miss out on registering for shorter 8-week fall courses online. We offer Introduction to Labor Studies (LER 100), Labor and Social Movements (LER 110) and Contemporary Labor Problems (LER 120). Check out our website for class descriptions, then email illinoislabored@illinois.edu to register.
Customized Classes Online
LEP offers customized classes in the classroom, at your location and now we can design and teach customized classes online! For more information on how LEP can educate your members by putting your training online, contact Steven Ashby at (312) 996-8733.
CONTACTS: Chicago, Yesenia Vargas, 312-996-2624
Champaign: Martha Kelley, 217-333-0980
www.illinoislabored.org
April 24, 2009
www.illinoislabored.org
JOB: Chicago. United Association for Labor Education Treasurer Bob Ginsburg is looking for a part-time assistant. Pay is $2,520 to be paid as $105 twice a month. Mailings, checking mailbox, send out dues receipts, data entry, routine filing and file maintenance, other work as assigned. Work will take place at 70 East Lake street, Suite 1700. Contact him at rginsburg@igc.org
SCHOLARSHIPS: Union Privilege at www.UnionPlus.org/college-education-financing/diversity-scholarships wants us to publicize their program. These scholarships cover non-credit as well as credit programs. That means that you can apply to Union Privilege in order to, for example, attend the full cycle of Statewide Labor Education Conferences or to attend individual labor education classes. They also cover childcare and travel to labor ed programs. Go to the website to read more. The application is in the middle of the page. The deadline is May 30.
April 27: Champaign. Remember the Staley lockout? Steven Ashby and CJ Hawking, authors of “Staley: The fight for a new American labor movement,” along with Staley workers, will read from and discuss their new book on Monday at 6:30 pm in Mumford Hall Room 103, (1301 West Gregory). Email skashby@illinois.edu for more information.
April 28: Effingham. Anne Feeney plays a free concert at the VFW, 2304 South Veterans Drive off South Fourth Street, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Donations will be accepted for the Heartland Human Services workers who have been locked out since they offered unconditionally to go back to work last July. These workers are the “poster child” for the Employee Free Choice Act. Call 217-347-2936 to RSVP or for more information.
May Day (May 1): Chicago: Rally at 10 am, Union Park, corner of Ashland and Washington. The big march heads off at 12 noon. Reconvene at Haymarket (Randolph and DesPlaines) at 4:00 pm for dedication of a plaque from the AFL-CIO, a speakout about the Employee Free Choice Act, and a report by the President of UE Local 1110 at Republic Windows. The annual Illinois Labor History Society meeting will take place at 5 pm at the Musicians hall, 650 West Randolph, with Kim Bobo speaking on wage theft.
May 2: Champaign-Urbana: Celebrate May Day at the Central Illinois Social Forum, 1 pm to 12 midnight, at the Indy Media Center in downtown Urbana. Multiple workshops. There will be an anti-foreclosure/eviction group coming down from Chicago and activists from Charleston, Effingham, Decatur, Bloomington and Danville. Topics and workshops: evictions, unemployment councils, community gardening, toxic neighborhoods, war and veterans’ benefits, immigration and migrant labor, local popular economics, labor solidarity. Also, plenty of food. For more information contact the Champaign-Urbana Jobs with Justice or Ricky Baldwin at 217-328-3037 or peoplespotluck@chambana.net
May 9: Chicago. What’s the backup plan in case EFCA doesn’t pass? Come to the 2009 Chicago Troublemakers School at Malcolm X College on Saturday, May 9 and help make one. Opening plenary: The Economic Crisis in Chicago. Closing plenary: You Gotta Fight to Win. Celebrating the victory of the UE Local 1110 at Republic Windows, along with other victories in Chicago, we'll look at lessons for the day after a victory. Workshops include: Organizing in the crisis: changing your union; fighting back in the public sector; lessons from labor's history; defending immigrant workers; preparing a grievance for arbitration. Address: 1900 West van Buren, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. www.labornotes.org/chicago to register online, or call 313-842-6262
May 14-17: St. Charles. The annual Regina V. Polk Women’s Labor Leadership Conference. Focus on bargaining and the impact of the Employee Free Choice Act and other developments under Obama. Waiting list.
May 21: Danville. Conference on Older Workers: Achieving work satisfaction, Avoiding health and legal problems. Danville Area Community College Bremen Conference Center Contact: www.ocdanville.com or w.gingold@uiuc.edu
LEP SUMMER ONLINE CREDIT CLASSES
(For more information about the online program and to view course syllabi, go to the online section of our website www.illinoislabored.org or email us at illinoislabored@illinois.edu
12 week session May 12 - July 31
LIR 130 Introduction to Labor and Working Class History|
LIR 200 Globalization and Workers
8 week sessions June 9 - July 31
LIR 100 Introduction to Labor Studies
LIR 110 Labor and Social Movements
LIR 120 Contemporary Labor Problems
STATEWIDE CONFERENCES
LEP offers a sequence of statewide labor conferences in Champaign. Our intent is to repeat these or other conferences, depending on requests and input from the labor movement, on an annual basis. The goal of these conferences is to:
- Engage current Illinois labor leaders, elected, staff and rank and file;
- Identify and develop future leaders;
- Encourage them to meet each other and learn each other’s issues;
- Help them stay up to date on a wide range of issues critical to the labor movement;
- Facilitate communication and action across unions, trades and workplaces;
- Move an effective labor agenda in our unions, workplaces and in the public sphere.
The schedule proposed for 2009-2010 is:
Union Communications: the Face and Voice of Labor
June 25-26-27
Union Education: Why teaching is the first step in organizing
July 23-24-25
Local Union Presidents Conference
September 24-25-26 (tentative)
Collective Bargaining: Negotiations and Contracts
October 29-30-31 (tentative)
Safety and Health at Work
January 28-29-30, 2010
The rate for all five conferences is $1300, payable in advance. The cost of each conference is $325, with a $275 early bird rate except for the Union Communications conference which is only $220 with a $200 early bird rate. Most meals are included but hotel reservations are separate. For registration details call Martha Kelley at 217-333-0980 or email her at memoore1@illinois.edu
WEB LABOR INFO
Labor in Illinois (an electronic clipping service): http://www.library.uiuc.edu/blog/labor/
Library portal: http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ler/
CONTACTS
CHICAGO: Yesenia Vargas, 312-996-2624, 815 W. Van Buren Street, Chicago 60607
CHAMPAIGN: Joe Berry, 217-333-2388, 504 East Armory, Champaign 61820