LEARN
UNION LEADERSHIP
ACADEMY FALL 2016-SPRING 2017
COURSE SCHEDULE
For more than fifty years, the Union Leadership Academy (ULA) has provided an outstanding leadership development program for New Jersey union members and leaders. The curriculum is designed to equip emerging leaders with new knowledge and effective leadership skills; over the years, many ULA graduates have advanced their leadership position in their unions and in their communities. Classes are held at several convenient locations throughout the state. Take a class today and become the leader you want to be tomorrow!
Course Schedule Fall 2016 SESSION ONE: SEPTEMBER 13 — OCTOBER 20, 2016 SESSION TWO: OCTOBER 25 — DECEMBER 8, 2016 All classes will be held from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m.
Spring 2017 SESSION ONE: FEBRUARY 2 — MARCH 14, 2017 SESSION TWO: MARCH 15 — APRIL 25, 2017
COURSE OFFERINGS Online Courses Economics for Trade Unionists: How to Guarantee a Fair Day’s Wage for a Fair Day’s Work Dates: Sept 14 - Oct 19 Instructor: Michael Merrill Why is the USA so rich and so many of its people are so poor? This course explores the evidence of, and the reasons for, growing economic inequality and reviews the difference between the situation of wage earners in NJ compared to other states and countries. The course concludes with a review of alternative proposals to make the US a more equal and a more justice society. Is your union ready for climate change? Dates: Feb 14 - March 21 Instructor: Ashley Conway YES ❑ NO ❑ • Did Hurricane Sandy impact your members and their jobs? • Is your union ready and able to ensure that its members are treated fairly and promptly in the severe weather disasters to come?
• Does your union include climate change in its positions and policies? • Are you prepared to raise and discuss climate change issues? Whatever your views on climate change, severe weather disasters have a far-reaching effect on the economy, jobs, and the lives of members and their families. The future will bring increasingly frequent and severe weather disasters as we have seen with devastating droughts in California, uncontrollable fires in Canada, historic flooding in Texas and our own experience with Hurricane Sandy. Are the effects of climate change on your union’s agenda? This course will examine unions’ responses to climate change. You will learn best practices for communicating about climate change with members and employers. In this interactive online class you will hold discussions with other union leaders about the challenges and opportunities climate change presents.
New Brunswick — Thursdays Labor Education Center, 50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901 Fall 2016 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Spring 2017 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Creative Approaches to Grievance Handling Sept 15, 22, 29 & Oct 6, 13, 20 Instructor: Peter Donatello This course will introduce students to creative approaches to resolving grievances in the workplace. Students will learn the latest techniques and skills in mediation, negotiations, and conflict resolution.
Labor and Politics Feb 2, 9, 16, 23 & Mar 2, 9 Instructor: John Castella Students will learn how to identify issues to create an effective political agenda. Explore how the political and bill-making process works, how coalitions can be built around issues, and how to lobby effectively.
Public Speaking and Media Skills Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17 & Dec 1, 8 Instructor: Nat Bender One of the most effective ways to get your message across to an intended audience is to communicate in a clear, concise, and informative manner. This course will attempt to help students build upon these basics and improve their ability to speak in a public forum. Students will be encouraged to craft their skill in traditional and new media outlets.
Workers’ Rights on the Job-Employment and Labor Law Mar 16, 23, 30 & Apr 6, 13, 20 Instructor: William Schimmel This class answers the question all union activists hear from members— “Can they do that?” Students will gain an understanding of the laws that protect workers, their employment, and working conditions, and how these laws are enforced by government agencies. Students will also learn where to look for the right answers to questions concerning a union member’s legal rights at work.
Pleasantville — Wednesdays IUOE Local 68, 850 North Franklin Blvd, Pleasantville, NJ 08232 Fall 2016 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Spring 2017 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Hurt at Work: Your Legal Rights - Part 1 Sept 14, 21, 28 & Oct 5, 12, 19 Instructor: Mark Belland This course will cover a wide variety of topics related to workplace injury, illness and disease. Topics include Occupational Disease and Illness, Workers’ Compensation, Workers’ Compensation and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Rights Against Third Parties, Reporting Injuries. What constitutes work-related, and Disability Rights.
Workers’ Rights on the Job-Employment and Labor Law Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 & Mar 1, 8 Instructor: Mark Belland This class answers the question all union activists hear from members — “Can they do that?” Students will gain an understanding of the laws that protect workers, their employment, and working conditions, and how these laws are enforced by government agencies. Students will also learn where to look for the right answers to questions concerning a union member’s legal rights at work.
Hurt at Work: Your Legal Rights - Part 2 Oct 26 & Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Instructor: Mark Belland *Prerequisite - Hurt at Work: Your Legal Rights-Part 1
Navigating New Jersey Politics Mar 15, 22, 29 & Apr 5, 12, 19 Instructor: Don Dileo Students will gain an understanding of New Jersey’s political arena and legislative process, how citizens’ ideas become law, and how organized labor shapes legislation through direct action, coalition building and lobbying.
Trenton — Tuesdays IBEW Local 269, 670 Whitehead Road, Trenton, NJ 08648 Fall 2016 - 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.
Spring 2017 - 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.
Collective Bargaining Sept 13, 20, 27 & Oct 4, 11, 18 Instructor: Ernest Whelan In today’s political and economic environment, unions need creative approaches to bargaining. Students will learn about legal issues, teamwork and effective committees, costing, and strategies and table tactics. Students will analyze and discuss recent examples of innovative contract campaigns. This class will also feature group activities and bargaining simulations.
Mediation and Arbitration Basics Feb 7, 14, 21, 28 & Mar 7, 14 Instructor: Don Dileo Learn the fundamental skills of mediation and arbitration and the appropriate use of these skills in problem solving in the workplace. Determine when and where mediation can be used for position outcomes as well as when mediation may not be the correct path. Learn the basics of arbitration. Avoid grievances using these skills or be better prepared to handle adversarial situations. Lecture and active role play.
Advanced Grievance Handling Oct 25 & Nov 1, 15, 22, 29 & Dec 6 Instructor: Andrew Watson This course provides students with creative approaches to resolving grievances in the workplace. Students will learn the latest techniques and skills in mediation, negotiations, and conflict resolution. This class will do extensive role-playing regarding how to reach the best settlement possible.
Making the Union Strong-Mobilizing and Organizing for Change Mar 21, 28 & Apr 4, 11, 18, 25 Instructor: Nat Bender This course will attempt to help students better understand the history, rights and responsibilities of union membership in order to accomplish strategic goals. Students will explore union organizing and political campaigns in an attempt to discuss best practices and determine how they can transfer these skills to their own experiences and the community at large. Practical knowledge will be encouraged and developed through role-playing and critical dialogue.
West Caldwell — Wednesdays IUOE Local 68, 14 Fairfield Pl, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 Fall 2016 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Spring 2017 - 6:00 – 8:45 p.m.
Mediation and Arbitration Basics Sept 14, 21, 28 & Oct 5, 12, 19 Instructor: Barry Kushnir Learn the fundamental skills of mediation and arbitration and the appropriate use of these skills in problem solving in the workplace. Determine when and where mediation can be used for position outcomes as well as when mediation may not be the correct path. Learn the basics of arbitration. Avoid grievances using these skills or be better prepared to handle adversarial situations. Lecture and active role play.
Labor History Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 & Mar 1, 8 Instructor: Mark Magyar Students will explore and understand the life of working people and the organizations they created in the 19th and 20th centuries, and how the history of labor can be preserved and promoted in the 21st century.
Collective Bargaining Oct 26 & Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Instructor: Peter Donatello In today’s political and economic environment, unions need creative approaches to bargaining. Students will learn about legal issues, teamwork and effective committees, costing, and strategies and table tactics. Students will analyze and discuss recent examples of innovative contract campaigns. This class will also feature group activities and bargaining simulations.
Labor and Politics Mar 15, 22, 29 & Apr 5, 12, 19 Instructor: Mark Magyar Students will learn how to identify issues to create an effective political agenda. Explore how the political and bill-making process works, how coalitions can be built around issues, and how to lobby effectively.
What Did Graduates Say about the Program? “I recently attended the ULA on the advice of my Head Business Agent Thomas Giblin when I became Shop Steward for the IUOE Local 68. I have taken several classes before but I really found the information from this program invaluable. The Instructors are very knowledgeable on labor issues and the subjects they teach are also very current. I am considering taking some of these classes again as refresher courses because they cover a lot of information.” —Ed Romanowski IUOE Local 68 “I would recommend the Union Leadership Academy to every single person that is involved in the labor movement, whether you are a rankand-file member, a shop steward, an executive board member, or a representative--this program is for you. As union representative, I know that educating myself on the issues that labor faces is imperative to
my organization’s success. When choosing where to get this education, I looked no further than the Rutgers University L.E.A.R.N. program. It was truly the best labor education I could have received short of going to Rutgers University full-time. LEARN has the best labor leaders in the state as instructors and Rutgers is a wonderful school. Getting started was easy due to the helpful and friendly staff. The class locations and times were convenient and it was easy to fit the classes into my busy schedule. I now have the tools needed to better serve my organization and to carry labor’s legacy forward. I will definitely take more classes in the future. Participating in the Union Leadership Academy will help you gain important knowledge and you will create relationships and friendships with likeminded people, which is what we all need to succeed in solidarity!” —Maria Elena Foster Director of Government & Community Affairs, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades/District Council 711New Jersey
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Certification Requirements
Participants must complete eight courses to graduate from the Union Leadership Academy. Full attendance of all classes is required to complete a course. While the program begins in September, learners may enroll in individual courses at any time. Registration
The registration fee is $85 per person per course. Pre-registration is required. Please register online at www.ilearn.rutgers.edu. Cancellation Policy No refunds will be issued. Cancellations made three business days prior to the date of a class will receive full credit toward any future courses offered by LEARN at Rutgers University. Contact us
Judy Lugo, Program Coordinator Email:
[email protected] Phone: (848) 932-9504 Fax: (848) 932-8677 Website: www.ilearn.rutgers.edu Mailing Address: 50 Labor Center Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
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