Since the early 1950s, LES has provided non-credit training to Minnesota workers and labor organizations. While much of its programming is customized for specific unions, LES also offers general labor studies classes open to anyone. If they wish, students may enroll to receive a Labor Studies Certificate after the completion of 75 hours of coursework.

The first class on the schedule is "Introduction to the Labor Movement" on Saturday, Sept. 29. Classes are offered through April and are taught by LES staff and adjunct instructors from the labor movement and the community. This year\'s adjunct instructors include three experienced attorneys, two collective bargaining experts, a work-life advocate and an artist.

Most classes will be held in the Hubert H. Humphrey Center on the West Bank of the university\'s Minneapolis campus.

To obtain a course brochure and to register, call 612-624-5020. Learn more about the Certificate program at www.csom.umn.edu/page5946.aspx  Questions? E-mail Tony DeAngelis.

Fall 2007

MONDAYS
Work-Life Law, Organizing & Bargaining (LSS8 & LSL7)
Anne Nolan, work-life advocate
An overview of law and collective bargaining related to work-life balance. Includes discussion of the EEOC\'s May 2007 guidance on how Title VII and the ADA protect workers who have family responsibilities. Also includes contract language examples from the Labor Project for Working Families. Students are encouraged to consider work-life flexibility as a social justice issue and an organizing tool and to discuss work-life challenges they face in their own lives. Fulfills 5 hours of labor and society and 5 hours of labor law for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100 4 weeks (Oct. 1 - 29, no class Oct. 15, 6-9 p.m.) HHH

TUESDAYS
Parliamentary Procedure & Effective Union Meetings (LSA7)
Larry Casey, LES staff
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. Fee includes textbook.
$117 4 weeks (Sept. 25-Oct. 16, 5:30-8:30 p.m.) HHH

WEDNESDAYS
Private Sector Labor Law (LSL1)
Paul Iversen, attorney
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. 3-Nov. 14, no class on Nov. 7, 7-9 p.m.) HHH

THURSDAYS
Basic Steward Training (LSC1)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
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. 4-Nov. 15, no class Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.) HHH

SATURDAYS
Introduction to the Labor Movement (LSR)
Randy Croce, LES staff
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 Sept. 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. HHH

Negotiating Health Care (LSB4)
Pete Benner, former AFSCME executive director
Provides an overview of the cost and quality of health care in Minnesota. Examines the main cost drivers behind the double-digit premium increases confronting more unions at the bargaining table. Participants will do an evaluation of their current health plans and develop action steps for their specific health insurance negotiations. Fulfills 5 hours of the collective bargaining/negotiations requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50 Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. HHH

Organizing Around Health & Safety (LSO5)
Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Learn how to use occupational safety and health issues to build power and involve potential and existing union members. Discuss strategies for dealing with behavior based safety programs that blame workers for their illnesses and injuries. Focus on existing structures (such as joint labor management safety and health committees) and how to approach these from a union perspective, as well as how to incorporate safety and health issues during organizing campaigns. Fulfills 10 hours of the organizing requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100 Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. HHH

Trade Union Administration (LSA8)
John Remington, LES staff
Provides union officers and representatives with the principles of management and administration appropriate to unions. Learn about various management styles, union structures and establishing effective committees. Fulfills 5 hours of the administration and leadership requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate. Fee includes textbook. $65 Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. HHH

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Winter-Spring 2008

MONDAYS
Managing Conflicts on the Job (LSE)
Larry Casey, LES staff
Conflict, misunderstandings and contrary points of view are all part of the workplace. This course will give concise and clear guidelines for dealing with conflict on both interpersonal and organizational levels. Learn proven methods for resolving or managing differences and how to remain calm during very stressful times. Fulfills 10 hours of the electives requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate. Fee includes textbook.
$113 4 weeks (Feb.11- March 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m.) HHH

TUESDAYS
Public Sector Labor Law (LSL2)
Meg Luger-Nikolai, attorney
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 (Jan. 15-Feb. 19, 7-9 p.m.) HHH

WEDNESDAYS
Our History: Women & People of Color in Unions (LSS7)
Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Explore the stories of people and communities who were central to building the U.S. labor movement, but aren\'t always included as such. Often challenging discrimination within their own ranks, these workers found ways to connect their own experiences of racism, sexism and homophobia with union struggles. Discuss how this was possible then, and what it means for our efforts today. Fulfills 10 hours of the labor and society requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100 4 weeks (Feb. 6 - 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m.) HHH

THURSDAYS
Advanced Steward Training (LSC2)
Tony DeAngelis, LES staff
Designed for the steward who wants to become more effective as a grievance handler and problem solver in the local union. Through cases and roleplaying, apply the skills learned in Basic Steward Training. Fulfills 10 hours of the contract administration requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$100 6 weeks (Jan. 24-Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m.) HHH

SATURDAYS
Introduction to the Labor Movement (LSR)
Barb Kucera, LES staff
See the course description under Fall 2007.
$50 Jan. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. HHH

FMLA & ADA (LSL6 & 7)
Connie Howard, attorney
Provides an overview of the workplace protections guaranteed by the Family & Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Explores the interplay between union contracts and such federal laws. Fulfills 5 hours of the labor law requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50 Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. HHH

Contract Negotiations (LSB1)
Steve Lucht, federal mediator
Designed for new negotiators and experienced negotiators desiring to sharpen their skills. Examines the legal framework for collective bargaining, the concept of bargaining power, negotiations preparation, 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 (Feb. 16 and 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) HHH

Do You Have the Values to Lead? (LSA13)
Howard Kling, LES staff
Why do you care about the labor movement? What values do you hold that make you care? Values have become an ever-present theme during elections, in the media and in our workplaces. This course will examine the “battle of ideas” and the influence the enormous right-wing media machine has been playing in that battle since 1964 – and the much smaller influence labor has been playing. Together we will explore just what labor\'s values are and whether they are useful in constructing a vision for a better America. Most importantly, we will explore your own values and find out if they can lead you to a powerful vision of your own.
$50 March 1, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. HHH

Creative Organizing: Focus on the Visual Arts (LSO3)
Deborah Rosenstein, LES staff
Ricardo Levins-Morales, artist
Learn how to use the rich cultural heritage of working people to strengthen organizing, community and political campaigns. Chants, music, visual arts, theater and the spoken word can inspire and motivate people of all backgrounds. This class will cover many aspects of creative organizing, but will have a special focus on visual arts, including cartoons and humor to break down fear and communicate your message. Fulfills 5 hours of the organizing requirement for the Labor Studies Certificate.
$50 April 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. HHH

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For more information
Call 612-624-5020 or visit www.csom.umn.edu/page5946.aspx