2010 Midwest School for Women Workers

Agenda

Note: Meals are included as part of the conference fee for all Midwest School participants.

Wednesday, July 28

1 p.m.                   Room check-in begins at Yudof Hall.

3 – 7 p.m.            Midwest School registration in the lobby of Yudof Hall.

5 – 7 p.m.            Dinner at Comstock Hall, adjacent to Yudof.

7 – 8:30 p.m. Opening Reception

• Location: Campus Club on the 4^th floor of Coffman Union, adjacent to Yudof Hall.
• Welcome and meet the other women attending. Special guest: National AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler.

Thursday, July 29

6:30 – 9 a.m.       Breakfast at Comstock Hall.

7 – 9 a.m.             Midwest School registration in the lobby of Yudof Hall.

9 a.m. – Noon: General Session

• This plenary will highlight the conference theme, specifically focused on how people experience the economic downturn differently and the need to forge new coalitions. We will get to know each other and examine the realities facing working women on and off the job.

Noon     Group photo.

12:15 – 1 p.m.    Lunch at Comstock Hall.

1:15 – 4:15 p.m. Workshops:

1. Bargaining during Tough Economic Times

What do tough economic times mean at the bargaining table? Learn effective tactics to win strong contracts within the context of economic recession. 

2. Bridging the Generation Gap

How can we learn from workers of all generations and incorporate their concerns in meaningful ways? Hear about the experiences and defining traits of various generations, how they shape our workplaces and unions, and discuss strategies for bridging real or perceived differences.

3. Confronting Inequalities on the Job (Bilingual)

Identify union strategies for confronting racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, sexual harassment and other forms of oppression at work. Discuss how these difficulties can intensify during tough economic times and ways to build solidarity among diverse groups.

4. Organizing for Work/Life Balance

While women are expert jugglers, balancing the demands of work and our lives outside the job isn’t just an individual responsibility. Discuss contract language and other strategies unions can use to improve workplaces for everyone.

5. Winning & Building: Using Political Action to Strengthen the Union (Bilingual)

Explore ideas for connecting our union’s electoral and political work with our goals for internal organizing and representing members. Learn new ways of approaching electoral campaigns that build the union.

5 – 7 p.m.            Dinner at Comstock Hall.

7 – 8:30 p.m.      Workers in Struggle: Film Night 1

• ¡Hasta La Victoria!/ Until Victory is Ours
  Watch an exciting documentary about the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers' (UE) 2009 factory sit-in at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago. View clips from other recent economic fight-backs here and abroad. Discuss lessons we can apply in our own unions and communities. All films will be bilingual in English/Spanish.
  
  

Friday, July 30

6:30 – 9 a.m.       Breakfast at Comstock Hall.

9 a.m. - Noon: Workshops:

1. Challenging the Anti-Worker Agenda

What are the roots of the anti-worker agenda that has taken hold in many parts of society? Why have many people – including union members themselves – internalized a message that goes against their own economic interests? We’ll discuss ways to turn this vision around.  

2. Examining the 21^st Century Workforce (Bilingual)

What kinds of jobs are being created in our rapidly changing economy – and how can we organize to make sure they are quality, union jobs? Discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by the new “green” economy, the growing service and information sectors and other jobs of the future.

3. Organizing around Occupational Safety & Health (Bilingual)

Workplace issues related to health and safety can be used to mobilize our unions, yet these are often missed opportunities to unite workers and fight for solutions. Learn to identify and respond to safety and health concerns in ways that build solidarity among workers.

4. Understanding Immigration (for Native-Born Workers)

Take part in an open discussion on immigration, including the effort to scapegoat immigrants during the economic crisis and the importance of immigrant participation to union growth and strength. Learn practical ideas for reaching out to New Americans and beginning conversations about immigration in your union.

5. Women and the Global Economy

Women play a particular role in our economy, both at home and globally, and corporations have taken advantage of women’s paid and unpaid labor for their benefit. Learn from women’s struggles for equality on the job and in their communities.

Noon – 1 p.m.   Lunch at Comstock Hall.

1 – 4 p.m.: Local field trip

• Buses depart from Coffman Union.

• The field trip will give participants an overview of the Twin Cities and the important role women workers have played in Minnesota workplaces and unions.

5 – 7 p.m.            Dinner at Comstock Hall.

7 – 8:30 p.m.   Workers in Struggle: Film Night 2

• Minnesota Labor at the Forefront
  View "The Willmar 8 Revisited," a recent documentary that looks back at the monumental strike of eight courageous small-town Minnesota women in the late 1970s. Clips from films highlighting other moments in Minnesota labor history will also be shared and discussed.

Saturday, July 31

6:30 – 9 a.m.       Breakfast at Comstock Hall.

9 a.m. - Noon: Workshops:

1. Building an Inclusive Union Culture

Learn how to identify the untapped potential in your union membership and the barriers that may be keeping some people from participating. Learn concrete steps unions can take to be more inclusive of young people, New Americans and other groups. Discuss how to approach issues such as language and cultural inclusiveness.

2. Mentoring Within Unions (Bilingual)

Union mentoring – between staff and members and among members – takes many forms, some more formal than others. Learn different design approaches for mentorship programs that build individual leadership and union capacity.

3. New Approaches to Women’s Committees and Other Identity Groups

What role do committees for women, younger workers, people of color and other constituencies play within our unions? How can they be used to encourage more members to get involved? Learn the steps to forming a committee and integrating it into the union.

4. Putting the “You” in Union (Bilingual)

We all repeat the mantra, “You are the Union,” but how true does this feel for many members? Learn ways to energize and mobilize members through successful internal organizing strategies for transforming our unions.

5. Union Strategic Planning

Whether you’re an officer, committee member or just getting active in your union, knowing how to plan effectively is an important skill. Learn the basic elements of strategic planning for use in contract campaigns, organizing and other union work.

Noon – 1 p.m.   Lunch at Comstock Hall.

1 – 2:30 p.m.: Workshops:

1. Labor Theater: In the Streets and In Our Union Halls (Bilingual)
2. Labor Song: Parodies, Choruses
3. Finding Your Voice: Spoken Word and Poetry
4. Popular Education: New Approaches to Learning (Bilingual)
5. New Media: Using Facebook, Twitter and Other Technologies

2:45 – 4 p.m.: Open Space

• This session will give participants a chance to discuss and network around issues important to them. We will identify areas of interest and connect participants to others in order to generate strategies and ideas.

5 – 7 p.m.            Dinner at Comstock Hall.

8 – 10 p.m.: Hospitality & Cultural Sharing

• Location: Lounge at Yudof Hall.
• Bring your talent and enjoy the songs, poems, and stories of your union sisters. Hang out and enjoy ice cream and snacks. Experience an evening of socializing in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sunday, Aug. 1

6:30 – 9 a.m.       Breakfast at Comstock Hall.

9 a.m. - Noon: Closing Session

• Location: The beautiful Weisman Art Museum.
• In the closing plenary, we will share workshop highlights and reflect on the key lessons we’re bringing home with us. We will hear from a diverse panel of women workers about concrete strategies for fighting back during tough economic times.

Noon     Graduation ceremony and lunch at the Weisman.

Noon     Room check-out at Yudof Hall.