Who's Coming

"We'll be there!"

Rub shoulders, shake hands, and share strategies with other committed workplace and labor activists from around the world at the April 23-25 Labor Notes conference.

"I'm coming to the Labor Notes conference to help continue building a unified movement and network to empower all of us. Arts and Culture are valuable tools for organizing, and will be featured at the conference through workshops, theater, performance art, music and Saturday evening's Open Mic. This is what the Labor Heritage Foundation is all about, and that's why I'm coming to the Labor Notes conference." — Darryl! L.C. Moch, Executive Director, Labor Heritage Foundation	"Members of UPTE-CWA are at the same time fighting for a fair contract and for the future of public higher education. I and several other activists from UPTE-CWA will attend the Labor Notes Conference both to share our experience and to learn from the many other public sector unions defending our jobs, pensions, and the very principle of public service and civil society." — Jelger Kalmign, President, UPTE-CWA 9119, San Diego
"The surprising thing you learn at the Labor Notes conference is that your situation is not unique. Other people in the labor movement have faced the same problems you're up against, and have important advice. It's an invaluable learning opportunity. I'd like to see members from my local attend the conference this spring." —Jason Ide, President-elect, IBT Local 814, NY NY	“We were at the Labor Notes conference just a few months before Republic Windows said they were shutting down our plant. It was good to be with all those other troublemakers, but we didn’t know we were going to be some of the most famous troublemakers of 2008, by sitting in and sticking it to Bank of America. We’ll be back for more next time.” —Ricky Maclin, Vice President, UE Local 1110, Chicago
“Labor Notes has always supported the work of organizing the South. Before the conference, we’re putting together a Southern workers school centering on the human right of public employees to have collective bargaining. “We’re piquing the interest of workers who are just getting active, and the next place we’ll gather will be the Labor Notes conference.” —Shafeah M’Balia, Black Workers for Justice	"Being a young union member and labor activist, Labor Notes helps me build the tools and resources I need to be effective on the shop floor. This will be my second conference and I can't wait to meet more people from other unions like I did last year. There are lots of great workshops for skills building that I can bring home with me and put to work at UPS." — Hollie Goldsmith, Teamsters Local 413
"The Caucus of Rank and File Educators is member-driven—top down is not working in the Chicago Teachers Union. Our main focus is defending publicly-funded public education, and we believe parent and community partnerships do that. We need direct action, and we need members to understand they’re supported when they speak out. It’s refreshing to talk to other public sector people, and the Labor Notes workshop we had in Chicago was brilliant for that. We’re very interested in coming to the conference to meet teacher activists from all over the country." — Karen Jennings Lewis, Co-Chair of the Caucus of Rank and File Educators, Chicago	"I am going because Labor Notes is the best way to get connected to, build solidarity with, and learn from others who are also committed to social and labor justice being the same thing." — Bernadette Scudder, leadership organizer, United Workers
"Restaurant workers are the key to the food industry. Our power needs to be recognized with respect and dignity. Members of the Restaurant Opportunities Center will be at the Labor Notes conference to move our ROC movement forward." — Gerardo Espinoza, Organizer, ROC-Michigan	"The Labor Notes conference is like a family reunion for many activists advocating for workers’ justice everywhere. FLOC’s campaign for workers at Reynolds Tobacco and our cross border organizing vision will be two topics we will share with our sisters and brothers at the conference." — Baldemar Velasquez, International President, Farm Labor Organizing Committee