Labor leaders need specific knowledge and skills to successfully lead their organizations. The Northeast Labor Executive Program (NLEP) provides labor leaders the necessary curriculum and pedagogy to gain that content, knowledge and skills; however, if this content and skills are not transferred into the workplace, then labor leaders will not be…

In this article, I argue that a concentrated focus on everyday informal learning about unions is critical not only to re-thinking union education programs, but to the overall project of union renewal. The article offers, by way of example, an inquiry into the grievance system as a routine (and central) union practice and a key site of informal…

For almost two decades, the Prairie School for Union Women (PSUW) has operated in Saskatchewan, Canada. Its use of feminist popular education, adult learning principles in facilitation, and mentoring and support for activist practices make it unique from other labour schools in many respects. This paper focuses on a community-based participatory…

This article presents an analysis of the development of a trade union education program in Sierra Leone in the geo-historical context of British colonialism. It places the argument in relation to the contradictory trends of trade unionism more generally and alongside their antagonistic cooperation with capitalism. It discusses the limits and…

Purpose: This paper aims to report on the author's recent research examining the meaning and practices of educating for solidarity, specifically from anti-racism and decolonizing perspective. The research is part of the critical exploration on new educational approaches on solidarity building among workers and trade union members in the broader…

Australian trade unions are at a pivotal moment. In 2007-2008, a review of the training and education programs of the Education and Campaign Centre (ECC), the education arm of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), was conducted through a series of interviews with leaders of twenty-five unions. The review found that Australian unions do…

United States workers are facing a workplace in which globalization, outsourcing, accelerating technology innovation, and changing demographics demands changes in the way they keep their job skills current. As a primary representative of workers' interests in the workplace, unions want their members to acquire and improve the skills, knowledge,…

This article suggests that the union learning representative (ULR) is increasingly situated at the heart of trade union activity. The paper draws upon recent research based on interviews with national trade union officers and case studies of union learning activity to explore the competing demands being made upon ULRs and the implications for…

This article aims to provide a broad understanding of the role of union learning representatives (ULRs) and the contribution of union education and learning initiatives. It examines the scope for union learning to be distinctive and sustainable, and it does this by summarising and building upon a holistic review of research of ULR activity across…

Presents the edited remarks of the speakers at the 1979 Annual AFL-CIO Education Conference. The sessions and workshops were focused on the question of how to educate on the important issues facing the labor movement. Speakers addressed such topics as the role of educators in organizing training, the organization of training programs, responses to…

Although the course stimulated activity within the local union, it had little effect on grievance activities. (PT)

Most of the leadership throughout the labor movement have been concerned about the lack of rank and file participation in labor unions. An evaluation of the relationship of labor education and union participation is explored. (WL)

Reports on a project undertaken by members of the Finnish Paperworkers' Union to record the history of their union. Members organized themselves into 40 study circles, with each circle tackling a different aspect of the history. Support was provided by the union historian. (CH)

Labor unions in the U.S.S.R.--having emerged in Russia about 100 years after U.S. labor unions and been called by Lenin the "shock troops of the revolution"--do not much resemble their U.S. counterparts. Union members, including factory managers, constitute 99.3 percent of the work force, and place of employment or profession determines…

Discusses how unions with strong leadership training can help workers with their problems and describes the education needs of union members. Describes typical union policies for workers' education, as well as essential features of a workers' education program. Covers curriculum development and long-range planning. (CH)