Labor Extension Program
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What is the Labor Extension Program?
Since 1995, the University of Massachusetts statewide Labor Extension Program has provided hands-on training and technical assistance to workers, union members, and community organizations. This program is based on the Â鶹¹ÙÍø campuses at Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. The program's goal is to provide non-credit training and education to workers, their unions, and other workers' organizations. Our focus is on strengthening these organizations and increasing activism. We help build the skills necessary to effectively advocate for the workforce's needs and concerns and to organize the unorganized.
How does the Labor Extension Program Work?
We offer programming in a variety of formats for individual unions, central labor councils, community-based organizations, and individual union members and community activists. Our offerings include short courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and special programs on a broad range of subject areas. We contract with unions and other workers' organizations to custom-design programs for their members, officers, and staff. We also offer open enrollment programs that anyone may attend for a small fee. We also provide assistance and support to labor organizations in developing and delivering their own educational programs.
What Kinds of Programs do we offer:
See the list below for workshop topics, classes, and technical assistance we offer. If you don't see your subject heading below, contact us, as this list is not exhaustive.
- Stewards Training
- Union officers training
- Leadership Development
- Getting Members Involved: Internal Organizing
- Organizing the Unorganized
- Popular Education
- Contract Bargaining
- Building Effective Campaigns
- Internet Corporate Research for Organizing and Bargaining
- Strategic Planning
- The Future of Work
- Media Strategies
- Economic issues for unions and working people
- Political Issues/Political Action
- The Public Sector
- Globalization/International Issues for Working People
- Immigration
- Diversity/ Fighting Discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Workplace Bullying
- Health and Safety
- Labor History
- Public Speaking
- Running Effective Meetings
- Workers' Rights
- Basic Labor Law
- Basic Unionism
Labor Extension Coordinators
Around the state, the Labor Extension Coordinators are divided by region and work jointly across the state.
Â鶹¹ÙÍø Amherst
Clare Hammonds
413-545-6166
Â鶹¹ÙÍø Dartmouth
Camilo Viveiros
508-296-8267
Â鶹¹ÙÍø Boston
Anneta Argyres
617-287-7352
Â鶹¹ÙÍø Lowell
Elizabeth Pellerito
978-934-3127
Pam Whitefield
978-934-3127
Additional information and resources
Contact
Labor Extension Specialist
Labor Education Center
257 Union Street, New Bedford
508-955-3049
Kimberly Wilsonshe/her
Director
Labor Education Center
257 Union Street, New Bedford
508-817-1851
Explore the materials and videos we created to build your union, which you can use broadly in the community. We have created videos, posters, and other materials. In addition to the member engagement and internal organizing trainings we offer.