Workers In Solidarity & Education Conference Returns November, 2024

The WISE Conference (Workers In Solidarity & Education) is returning for 2024 from November 14th through November 16th! Refer to links provided in the announcement below for details on this year's conference, including registration, payment, and scheduling information.

In 2018, the Labor Studies Center at Wayne State University created the WISE (Workers in Solidarity & Education) conference series as an extension of the Labor School. The Labor School empowers workers by strengthening highly sought after skills including leadership, communication, and critical thinking.

WISE conferences will also provide the space for workers from various industries, occupations, experiences and backgrounds to connect face-to-face through common struggles and identify effective strategies that build solidarity and power in their workplaces, unions and communities

Location: Hollywood Hotel at Greektown
Date: Thursday, November 14 through Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Agenda: For the final, 2024 WISE Conference Agenda, click HERE, or just scan the QR code included below:

For a complete brochure on WISE 2024, click HERE.

To Register for WISE, Click HERE.

For Payment Options for WISE, Click HERE.

Questions? Email the Labor School at laborschool@wayne.edu or call (313) 577-2191.

The WISE conference is open to all individuals including union and non-union workers, labor leaders, staff and labor activists. The WISE conference has a commitment to the principles of diversity, therefore WISE does not discriminate in violation of the law on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, age, physical challenge, nation of origin, gender or any other characteristic.

Selection of Conference Classes

Advanced Labor Education Courses (Select one (1) course from list below): During the three-day WISE conference, participates will attend an advanced labor education course (that will count as one (1) completed Labor School course and interactive general sessions.

1. Negotiate, Interpret and Write Contract Language (Course Code: NEG24)
Are you on a bargaining team or want to be? Learn to write and interpret contract language. The in-class mock bargaining session includes table tactics, and writing, presenting, and responding to contract proposals. Learn the step-by-step process of bargaining a collective agreement by aligning organizational goals with bargaining strategies.

2. What Unions Do and Why Unions Do It (Course Code: WUD24)
Do you want to understand the role of unions, how unions operate, and how to better position yourself within your organization? This introduction to labor unions class will discuss the four pillars of unionization; organizing, bargaining, representation and political action. Students will gain valuable knowledge and insight into the internal mechanisms of unions, and discover how workers’ connections to the labor organizations can lead to valued engagement and worker empowerment!

3. Discipline and Discharge Grievances (Course Code: DDG24)
Learn the best practices when representing workers who have been disciplined or discharged. In this class, evaluate whether discipline is "just", learn what to look for during the disciplinary investigation, how to contest disciplinary actions, and much more to protect workers' rights and ensure a fair process.

4. Getting Elected and Staying Connected (Course Code: GESC24)
Elections matter and who represents you matters. Have you ever wondered how do you run for union office or political office in your community? This class will have have three parts:(1) union elections (2) how to start off with a political offices, and (3) how do you stay elected and connected to the people you represent. Get a clear understanding of what how to become a candidate, and then a clear understanding of the commitment involved to stay elected and connected to those you represent.

5. Build Solidarity and a Community of Workers Through Union Communication (Course Code: BSCW24)
How do unions use its communications; publications, flyers, webpages and social media to inform and engage its members? In this course,
you will practice how to develop good, value added content and strong communications that brings people together to solve problems, create opportunities for engagement and focuses on building worker solidarity.

6. Planting Seeds: Creating Opportunities and Developing New Leaders (Course Code: PSC24)
This class, led by union leaders, will challenge and inspire the next generation of labor leader. Examine powerful strategies to help you advance to the next level of leadership. Learn your leadership style, strength, development tools, and strategies so you may go from entry level to organizational decision-maker at the leadership level.

7. Unions and Democracy (Course Code: DEM24)
What is democracy? This course will examine the U.S. system of government and the role unions have played in supporting democracy. We will compare different forms of government and how political, social and economic forces have influenced various government systems to either turn to or away from democracy. This class examines the collective actions of workers and how unions have shaped and may continue to influence the U.S. government’s policies on businesses, labor relations, and social democracy.

8. WISE Women Lead (Course Code: WW24)
Discover the roles women have historically held in the labor movement and learn about remarkable women who have lead labor organizations. In this class students will develop strategies and techniques that empower women to take on leadership roles that shatter barriers and build stronger labor organizations.