Time is running out to get into classes to build your union skills and learn how to be an effective union organizer and contract negotiator. The Bonnie Ladin Union Skills Program at the National Labor College (NLC) offers a series of online courses to provide tools for building a stronger union movement. The first five union skill courses set for September are filling up, so click here to enroll today. 

The skills courses that begin next month include Organizing I, Contract Negotiations in the Private Sector, Grievance Mediation, Arbitration Preparation and Presentation Level I and Secretary-Treasurers LM-2 Requirements. Click here for the complete Bonnie Ladin Union Skills calendar, online registration, complete course descriptions, tuition information and more.

The courses are named in honor of the late Bonnie Ladin, who for 30 years trained generations of organizers and other leaders for SEIU. Prior to her death earlier this year, she worked as an educator at the Labor College.

NLC is the only higher education institution committed to educating union members and their families and union leaders and staff. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka last week reminded the federation’s Executive Council of the importance of having educated union members.  

Education is such an important part of the future of the labor movement, and a key way for us to transmit labor’s values during a time of change in our economy and our society.

This year, NLC  also is offering a new degree program just for union members and their families. You can earn a degree in Labor Studies, Business Administration, Construction Management or Emergency Readiness and Response. Register today for the fall semester at www.nlc.edu/new-students/degree.

These new programs offer union members the convenience and flexibility of online study. Union members get a big discount on tuition and Union Privilege also sponsors scholarships to help with tuition. By taking advantage of the special union member rates and scholarships, NLC students can complete their degrees for less than $10,000 in two years. Additional learning from work experience and apprenticeships can earn union members credits toward completing their degrees.