Courses

This course covers students’ rights on the job under federal, state and local law and in the union and nonunion workplace. It examines wage and hour, job security, anti-discrimination, health and safety and collective bargaining protections. Students will learn how to organize effectively for fair conditions at work.

An overview of the various organizations within the San Francisco labor community, their work and their issues. Unions, workers' centers and community-based advocacy organizations. Organizing for a better work life, building labor-community coalitions and telling working people's stories. People of color, immigrant, women's and LGBT workers' rights. The "Si, Se Puede" spirit in Bay Area labor today.

Introduction to the role of the workers' advocate. Union, workers' center and government agency advocacy. Organizing for social, racial and economic justice. Employment rights laws. Shop stewards and union contract enforcement. Labor-community solidarity.

Labor and Community Empowerment teaches organizing theory and practice. It conducts an in-depth study of different periods of organizing history and of workers organizing potential today. It trains students to participate in and lead effective labor and community organizing campaigns. Planning, conducting and evaluating organizing campaigns.

Brings working peoples' voices to the forefront of society and social change movements. Explores communications campaigns, oral history projects, public speaking, media relations and labor and community arts programs. Special emphasis is put on students telling their own stories and those of their communities, workers centers and unions. Taking organizing deeper and further - into the heart and soul of workers lives.

Prepares students to advocate for improvements in their wages, working and living conditions in a variety of settings. Includes identifying issues, planning and campaign evaluation. Preparation for volunteer and paid work in union, community, and electoral activism.