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Welcome, Ashley, to the Labor School Team!
Meet Ashley Narehood, the new administrative assistant in the School of Labor and Employment Relations and the Department of Anthropology. In addition to providing administrative support to the outreach work of the Labor School, she balances a diverse range of responsibilities, from finance and event planning, to social media. She enjoys working with a diverse group of people who share her values. Outside of the office, Ashley embraces her creative side, cherishing moments spent with family and following her passion for interior design and remodeling projects. Say hello to Ashley when you have the opportunity and help welcome her to our program!
Upcoming Programs
Benefits Fund Webinar
We’re teaming up with the International Foundation of Employee Benefits to host a free webinar titled, “The Role of Labor Management Negotiations in the Rise of Benefits.” Save the date for Wednesday, June 18 from 3:00–4:30 p.m. for this important discussion as we consider how benefits have changed thanks to the labor movement and what we might expect in the coming years. More details will be coming soon!
Pennsylvania Labor History Society Spring 2025 Annual Conference
“Honoring the Legacy of Jock Yablonski and the Miners for Democracy”
Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, 2025
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus – Uniontown, Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Labor History Society (PLHS) will commemorate the fifty-fifth anniversaries of the Yablonski murder and the birth of the MFD reform movement with a weekend conference to be held at Penn State’s Fayette Campus in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on Friday, June 20 and Saturday, June 21, 2025. Note: the deadline for program ads is Saturday, May 31, 2025.
For more information or to request a registration form, please contact Paul Clark at pclark@psu.edu.
Forty-Eighth Annual United Association of Labor Education (UALE) Northeast Summer School for Women+ in Unions and Worker Organizations
The Worker Institute at Cornell, ILR School will be hosting the Forty-Eighth Annual United Association of Labor Education (UALE) Northeast Summer School for Women+ in Unions and Worker Organizations on campus in Ithaca, New York from Monday, July 7–Friday, July 11, 2025. This residential program brings together members, staff and leaders from unions and worker organizations in various sectors across the region to learn about leadership development and strengthen their skills. The registration deadline is June 16.
What We've Been Up To
Labor School Advisory Board Meeting
On Wednesday, March 19, nearly twenty labor leaders from across Pennsylvania gathered at the University Park campus of Penn State for our annual Labor School Advisory Board meeting. Labor School faculty shared program updates and received feedback on current member needs. We discussed changes to our program funding and possible alternatives. Our Advisory Board plays a key role supporting our program, and we appreciate board members sharing their time and insights with us.
Philip Murray Lecture
This year marked the Thirtieth Annual Philip Murray Memorial Labor Lecture hosted by the Labor School and sponsored by the United Steelworkers (USW). Roxanne Brown, International Vice President At Large for the USW, delivered a rousing talk titled, “A Movement for the Moment: Workers Holding the Line.”
Each year, the lecture promotes the exchange of ideas between the University community and leadership in the labor movement. The goal of this interchange is to contribute to a better understanding of the important role the labor movement has played, and continues to play, in a democratic society. The lecture honors the memory of Philip Murray (1886–1952), first president of the United Steelworkers of America and second president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Customized Training Programs
In February, Mary and Kate co-facilitated two workshops for the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO Leadership Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Along with Aurora Munoz (National Domestic Workers Alliance), Mary facilitated “Stronger, Together: Engaging Community Partners in Union Campaigns.” Kate worked with Briheem Douglas (UNITE HERE) to deliver “Putting our Bodies on the Line: How to Use Direct Action in Union Campaigns.”
In April, Kate delivered a custom version of the Building Intergenerational Solidarity curriculum for IATSE at their International Staff Training held at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.
The Labor School offers customized education programs for local unions, labor councils, and other labor organizations on a variety of subjects. We customize the content and design to meet your organization’s desired outcomes for the programs. We travel to your location and can work with your staff to deliver training together. Submit a customized training request and you will hear from us soon!
Research and Consulting Services
Unions
The Labor School at Penn State is pleased to announce that it is now offering research and consulting services to Pennsylvania unions. The Labor School’s faculty have significant experience in conducting applied research of value to unions, especially membership surveys. These surveys can help unions increase their strength and effectiveness by providing insight on what the union is doing well and on what it could do better. For example, member surveys can:
- provide insight on the effectiveness of a union’s communications program;
- measure member satisfaction with the union’s grievance procedure;
- determine members’ priorities for bargaining; and
- identify factors that could increase member attendance at union meetings.
In addition, member surveys can generate information about:
- member demographics,
- member commitment to the union,
- member willingness to participate in union activities,
- members’ knowledge of the union and its programs, and
- member satisfaction with the union.
or if you have other applied research needs, contact
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Penn State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Mary Bellman at mary.bellman@psu.edu, in advance of your participation or visit. UBR CLA 25-335