Labor Education Service announces 2005-2006 courses

Classic courses on organizing, bargaining and labor law, along with new classes on parliamentary procedure, communications and history, are among the 2005-2006 offerings by the University of Minnesota Labor Education Service.

The noncredit courses, open to everyone, start Sept. 28 and run through April 29. LES also is continuing its new Labor Studies Certificate program, which graduated its first two students this spring.

“I want to get more involved in my union and the labor studies program helped me learn a lot,” said certificate recipient Billy Reed, Jr., an SEIU Local 113 member who lives in Minneapolis. “The instructors were great. It was a tremendous experience!”

Fellow graduate Bill McAmis, an AFGE Local 3669 member from Maplewood, praised the certificate program as “an excellent source of material . . . I plan to take more classes.”

Students in the Labor Studies Certificate Program complete 75 hours of classroom training in the areas of administration/leadership, collective bargaining/negotiations, contract administration, labor law, labor and society, organizing and electives.

To view the complete requirements for the certificate program, get a complete class schedule and register for classes, contact the LES office, 612-624-5020, to request a brochure. More information is also available on the LES website, www.laboreducation.org

The Fall 2005 schedule:

TUESDAYS
Private Sector Labor Law (LSL1) Brendan Cummins
This course covers basic principles of the National Labor Relations Act.? It 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 Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 6 weeks (Oct. 11-Nov. 15, 7-9 p.m.)??

WEDNESDAYS
Parliamentary Procedure & Effective Union Meetings (LSA7) Larry Casey
Designed for unionists who plan or chair meetings and members who want to participate more fully in meetings. We will thoroughly examine Robert?s Rules of Order with all the motions, variables and exceptions. We will also discuss how to organize and plan more effective union meetings with democratic ideals in mind. Fulfills 10 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 4 weeks (Sept. 28-Oct. 19, 5:30-8:30 pm)?? ???

THURSDAYS
Basic Steward Training (LSC1) Tony DeAngelis
Designed for the new steward or member who wants to become a steward.? Emphasis will be placed on steward roles, rights and duties; grievance investigation, writing, and presentation; and the day-to-day problem solving that the steward must face. Fulfills 10 hours of the contract administration requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 6 weeks (Oct. 6-Nov. 17, 7-9 p.m.) Note: No class on Oct. 27??

SATURDAYS
Introduction to the Labor Movement (LSR) Randy Croce
An overview of our labor movement?its successes and challenges?in a global context. It considers the structure, organization and evolution of the movement and the impact of union membership on workers and communities. Students are challenged to consider the future of the movement and the direction they would like to lead it. This is the 5-hour basic requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50????? Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Contract Negotiations (LSB1) Steve Lucht
Designed for new negotiators and experienced negotiators desiring to sharpen their skills, this class examines the legal framework for collective bargaining, the concept of bargaining power, preparation for negotiations, 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 Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 2 Saturdays (Oct. 8 & 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.)????????

Communicating the Union Message (LSE1) Howard Kling
Underscores the importance of communications for the success of organizing, mobilization, education and influencing the public debate about issues. Designed to help union activists improve their messages and communicate better with members, neighbors, friends and the general public. Develop communications strategies for getting the word out in different circumstances. Sprinkled throughout will be plenty of opportunity to test your skills, practice some ideas and techniques and strategize around your own situations. Fulfills 5 hours of the elective requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50????? Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.?????????????????????????

Introduction to Organizing (LSO1) Deborah Rosenstein
Examines the role of new member organizing in strengthening the labor movement and covers the basic elements involved in campaigns. Issue identification, building diverse committees, campaign timing, creative actions, house calls, and combating union busters are among the topics covered. Fulfills 10 hours of the organizing requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 2 Saturdays, (Nov. 5 & 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

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The Winter-Spring 2006 schedule:

MONDAYS
Getting Along with (Most) Everyone (LSE2) Larry Casey
Comprehensive course pulling together all facets of human dynamics. Topics include conflict management, dealing with difficult people, repairing relationships, the art of diplomacy and communication skills. Students will learn to assess a situation and choose a path to accomplish their goals in a persuasive manner. Fulfills 10 hours of the elective requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 4 weeks (March 6-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.)

TUESDAYS
Minnesota Labor History (LSS3)? Barb Kucera
From the mines of the Iron Range to the railyards of the Twin Cities, from the warehouses of Minneapolis to the meatpacking plants of southern Minnesota, workers and their organizations have left a rich legacy. Students get to know these Minnesotans and their struggles and do some historical sleuthing. Fulfills 5 hours of the labor and society requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50????? 2 weeks (Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, 6-9 p.m.)

Public Sector Labor Law (LSL2) Paul Iversen
Main focus is Minnesota?s Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA). Topics include collective bargaining, arbitration, the right to strike, unfair labor practices, the definition of public employer and public employee, the function of the Bureau of Mediation Services and bargaining unit determinations. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor law requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 6 weeks (March 7-April 11, 7-9 p.m.)? ???????????

WEDNESDAYS
Basic Arbitration (LSC3) Barry Weiner
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 Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 6 weeks (Feb. 15-March 22, 7-9 pm)?? ??????????

THURSDAYS
Advanced Steward Training (LSC2) Tony DeAngelis
Designed for the steward who wants to become more effective as a grievance handler and problem solver in the local union. Through cases and role playing it allows the student to apply skills learned in Basic Steward Training. Fulfills 10 hours of the contract administration requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 6 weeks (Jan. 19-Feb. 23, 7-9 p.m.)???

SATURDAYS
Negotiating Health Care (LSB4) Pete Benner
Will provide an overview of the cost and quality of health care in Minnesota. Examines the main cost drivers behind the double-digit premium increases confronting most unions at the bargaining table. Participants will do an evaluation of their current health plans and will develop specific action steps to take in dealing with their own health insurance negotiations. Fulfills 5 hours of the collective bargaining/negotiations requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50????????????????? Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.?????????????

Internal Organizing (LSO2) Deborah Rosenstein
Begins with the basics of internal organizing, including the development of a communication network, mapping the workplace and membership surveys.?Learn how to define the goals and targets of a campaign, use basic research, develop creative actions and recruit others to help. Examine the ways that internal organizing builds solidarity and participation within the union. Fulfills 10 hours of the organizing requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100??? 2 Saturdays, (March 4 & 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Union Administration (LSA8) John Remington
Designed to provide union officers and representatives with the principles of management and administration appropriate to unions. It will also present various management styles and suggest how these styles may impact members. The class will include a description of union organization, administration and structure; the duties and responsibilities of local and district union officers; and suggestions for running union meetings and establishing effective committees. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration & leadership requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50????????????????? April 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.??

Introduction to the Labor Movement (LSR) Tony DeAngelis
See the course description under Fall 2005.
$50????????????????? April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.????????????

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