Are you angry that bankers get bailed out and workers get sold out?

Labor Notes readers across the country are stirring up trouble and connecting with grassroots groups to think through big-picture responses to big-picture problems—positive action on jobs, contracts, health care, and the environment. Learn tactics, skills, and strategies you can use right away. Join with other activists to figure out what this economic crisis means for everyone.

For more information call 313-842-6262. Email labornotes [at] labornotes [dot] org

WHY TROUBLEMAKERS SCHOOLS? WHY NOW?

Labor Notes is holding a series of regional conferences this spring--Troublemaker Schools. The economic crisis and the new political equation in Washington are making 2009 a crucial year. A big part of figuring out how to respond is getting folks together in the same room.

The schools will work on two levels. One, to understand this crisis—it’s not just “the business cycle”—and help activists think through big-picture responses to big-picture problems—positive, feasible action on jobs, health care, and the environment. Two, to learn tactics, skills, and strategies folks can use in their locals and workers centers right away: beating back concessions and employer attacks; defending immigrant members against raids; activating members on the shop floor and in the community.

Labor Notes is stepping up because others who should are not. The two labor federations are focused on passing the Employee Free Choice Act, which is badly needed but only a first step. They are divided on health care reform, and often on the wrong side, backing whatever maintain-the-insurance-companies measure the Obama administration will put forward.

And most leaders have no coherent response to employers’ demands for concessions. Each union will be on its own to resist, or not, the pressure to re-open contracts and give back. Labor was crippled by leaders’ cooperative response to employers in the early 1980s, and we’re still feeling the effects.

These schools are also inspired by December’s gutsy fight at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago. These workers gave us two lessons for these times: now is the time for bold action, and building alliances pays off.

Possible topics for plenaries and workshops:

BIG PICTURE

1) understanding the crisis. Labor Notes Director Mark Brenner, who has a background in economics, has done many workshops on understanding the crisis and how to respond.

2) organizing new members, with or without EFCA

3) the environment and green jobs

4) action for single-payer health care reform

5) building coalitions with the (other) victims of the crisis—the unemployed; the already poor; the foreclosed upon; deindustrialized cities

6) lessons from labor’s history

NUTS AND BOLTS
Contract campaigns/bargaining
Public sector contract campaigns/fighting budget cuts
Assertive grievance handling
Changing your union from within
Organizing and involving young workers/new members
Building a stewards program
Using media
Raids on immigrant workplaces/ rapid response/ fighting no-match letters
Unions and workers centers working together