Charging up the Labor Movement

The AFL-CIO held a three day Organizing Institute (OI) in St. Paul on May 21-23, 2010. Twenty-two participants spent the weekend sharpening their one-on-one communications skills, and learning other useful skills for entry level union organizers. The MN AFL-CIO hosted the training for members of affiliated unions.  The students came from a wide range of occupations and unions with a common goal of building power for workers through the labor movement. IAM, AFTRA, MNA, AFSCME, AFGE, BCTGM, TNG/CWA, ATU, UA, and the Nebraska Association of Public Employees sponsored members for the training.

Organizing Institute instructors Carol Edelson and Amie Niehouse were assisted by teaching fellows from Minnesota.  Jeff Sabin (AFSCME), Dave Kamper (Ed MN), David Unger (St. Paul RLF), Gayle McMahon (Mpls. RLF) and Wayne Fleischhacker (East Central ALC) lent their expertise and talent in classroom instruction and small group practice sessions. 

The students and instructors gave up their weekend to participate in an intense learning environment. The rewards of their efforts will benefit the whole labor movement.

Submitted by Candace Lund, Minnesota AFL-CIO Organizing/Mobilizing Director