The Labor Activist Academy is a series of labor education workshops designed to better equip labor union rank-and-file members, stewards, and labor activists to meet the challenges facing today’s labor movement. The full program consists of four non-credit workshops designed to develop critical thinking skills, increase capacity for building power, and encourage networking with other activists.
Classes will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, once per quarter. Lunch will be provided.
Registration is required. Participants can choose to register for one or multiple classes.
The cost to attend one course is $100. Participants who sign up for three (3) or four (4) courses will receive a discount on the third and fourth course.
Please download our course flyer to share with your networks!
If you have any questions, please contact us at laborschool@psu.edu or 814-865-8190.
The Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council and The LABOR School at Penn State will host a series of labor education workshops designed to better equip labor union stewards, labor activists, and leaders to meet the challenges facing today’s labor movement.
Each course includes three sessions, meeting one night per week from 6:00–8:30 p.m. Participants who complete all four courses will graduate with a certificate of completion from Penn State. All programs are conducted in partnership with one or more central labor councils.
This Labor Activist Academy will be held at AFCSME Council 13 Training Center (150 S 43rd St., Suite 3, Harrisburg PA 17111) beginning Thursday February 8th from 6:00-8:30 p.m. ET. The cost for all twelve classes is $350.
Please note this is an updated schedule as of Jan 16, 2024.
Questions? Please contact the Labor School at laborschool@psu.edu or 814-867-2287.
Each course includes three sessions, meeting one night per week from 6:00–8:30 p.m. Participants who complete all four courses will graduate with a certificate of completion from Penn State. All programs are conducted in partnership with one or more central labor councils.
This Labor Activist Academy will be held virtually beginning Tuesday, December 5 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. ET. The cost for all twelve classes is $350.
Questions? Please contact the Labor School at laborschool@psu.edu or 814-867-2287.
This course will focus on the challenges faced by labor organizations and workers today, how we got here, and the implications for building a more effective labor movement. We will gain an appreciation for the rich history of worker collective action and how labor organizations have related historically to broader struggles for economic, social, and civil rights. Participants will gain an understanding of how our economy has shifted and what this means for workers and our organizations going forward.
Renewing our movement begins with organizing our own members and learning how to engage them as active participants in the work of labor. How can we generate more member participation to build strong and sustainable organizations? This course will focus on the basic elements to more successfully engage and mobilize fellow members. We will share strategies and ideas to strengthen member commitment and activism.
Member awareness and understanding of the values, mission, and successes of our organizations is a key component of building union power. If people don’t know about the work we’re doing, the organization has lost an opportunity to inspire and engage others in action. This course will focus on telling our union stories and improving individual communication; assessing how we communicate with members, including digital and social media; and sharing best practices to improve.
Unity among union members and across unions remains essential for a strong and successful labor movement. At the same time, we face all sorts of division—including interpersonal conflict, generational differences, and racial and gender divides to name a few. In this course, we will explore these differences as a source of strength and identify how to build an inclusive union culture. We will also discuss the critical role of bridging across divisions with other organizations to address the challenges workers face in the 21st century.
How do we build solidarity across generations in our workplaces? Come to this workshop to learn strategies to bridge generational gaps, foster mutual respect, and strengthen our collective power. We’ll discuss generational stereotypes and defining events, how people of different generations strengthen our unions, and how to build intergenerational solidarity.
Do you want to know more about labor law and worker rights in the US and Pennsylvania? In this workshop you’ll gain essential knowledge about your legal rights in the workplace, labor laws, and how to protect yourself and your colleagues. We’ll cover laws related to your right to organize a union and collectively bargain, on-the-job protections, and protest/protected speech.
Are you interested in learning about collective bargaining, or do you want to prepare to get more involved in your union’s bargaining process? This interactive workshop is for you! Learn key strategies for successful bargaining and enhance your advocacy skills. We’ll cover the fundamentals of bargaining, including the bargaining process, negotiation skills, and legal elements of collective bargaining.
How do you engage non-members and increase solidarity among your members? Organizing! In this day-long, interactive workshop you will learn organizing fundamentals and apply them to crafting a winning mobilizing plan. Whether you’re a seasoned organizer or new to the game, there will be something for everyone in this workshop.