Labor Education Service

09/01/2026

We are getting ready to table at the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Please come visit us on Thursday, September 3rd, in the AFL-CIO Pavillion at the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street.

08/27/2026

Last few weeks get your applications in for MULP 2026-2027! The Minnesota Union Leadership Program (MULP) is an innovative educational series designed to address the most critical issues facing working people in Minnesota for members of unions and worker centers.

To learn more & apply, please see link in bio!

Image Description: A teal, maroon, and gold colored graphic with the above text.

08/18/2026

Here's a sneak peek of one of our Community Classes this fall! And more coming soon...

Effective First Contract Negotiations

Date & Time: October 5th and 6th, 5:30 PM - 7:30PM CT

Using a case study of a group of nurses in Rochester, New York, this two-part workshop series will teach participants how to negotiate strong and effective first contracts quickly by treating the first contract campaign as an extension of the organizing campaign. The workshop is co-led by Nela Hadzic, who was chief negotiator on the first contract campaign. Eric Lehto, who has negotiated many strong first contracts, will moderate.

Participants must complete first part in order to attend the second.
Facilitators: Matthew Cunningham-Cook, Nela Hadzic, Eric Lehto (moderator)

https://z.umn.edu/LESCommunityClasses

08/06/2026

Apply to MULP 2026-2027! The Minnesota Union Leadership Program (MULP) is an innovative educational series designed to address the most critical issues facing working people in Minnesota for members of unions and worker centers.

Learn more & apply at:
https://z.umn.edu/MULPapplication

Image Description: A teal-colored graphic with the above text and a photograph of three MULP graduates smiling and holding their certificates during the graduation reception.

07/25/2026

The termination of Public Works employee Darley Herrera has driven a wedge between city hall and the Laborers Union.

07/20/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Indira Garmendia Alfaro and Matthew Cunningham-Cook to the Labor Education Service team as our new Associate Co-Directors!

Indira is a proud Nicaraguan immigrant whose career has been guided by a deep commitment to social justice. She began her journey in Nicaragua’s feminist movement and has since worked alongside organizations and communities across Central America and the United States to advance leadership development, popular education, and community organizing.

Matthew has worked in the labor movement for fifteen years, including with minority unions in the South, healthcare workers in Pennsylvania, and strategic campaigns to take on private equity employers. He has expertise in pensions, retirement, and health care benefits, as well as capital markets.

Please join us in giving Matthew and Indira a warm welcome as they join the LES team and support our mission to educate and empower all workers across Minnesota!

07/07/2026

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Union Leadership Program (MULP) before you apply? Stop by our virtual Q&A with labor educators and MULP alum to learn more about the program, ask questions about the application process, and more!

We’ll be hosting TWO sessions, one on Tuesday July 21 at 6-7pm and one on Tuesday August 11th noon-1pm.

Both info sessions will take place virtually on Zoom at https://z.umn.edu/MULPInfoSession

ID: A teal, red, and yellow flyer that asks different frequently asked questions about MULP like: What’s MULP? Who can apply? How many people can my union send? Can I join if I’m not in a union? What accessibility accommodations are offered? Where are the sessions? Can I join if I’m not in an official leadership position?

07/01/2026

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Union Leadership Program (MULP) before you apply? Stop by our virtual Q&A with labor educators and MULP alum to learn more about the program, ask questions about the application process, and more!

We’ll be hosting TWO sessions, one on Tuesday July 21 at 6-7pm and one on Tuesday August 11th noon-1pm.

Both info sessions will take place virtually on Zoom at https://z.umn.edu/MULPInfoSession

We’ll have a very brief introduction to MULP at the beginning and then open it up for questions for the rest of the time. Feel free to drop-in and out of the session as needed.

06/30/2026

Class next week!

A History of General Strikes in the United States

Thursday, July 9th, 3pm-4:30pm CT

This class will provide a brief history of general strikes in the United States. We'll look at where the idea of a general strike comes from, and how this concept is woven into the fabric of U.S. labor history. We'll also examine how general strikes were organized, and what the outcomes were.

Facilitators: Labor historian and journalist Jeff Schuhrke, and Sarah Lazare

To register, go here: https://z.umn.edu/LESCommunityClasses

ID: Black and marron graphic with text:
Class next week!

A History of General Strikes in the United States

Thursday, July 9th, 3pm-4:30pm CT

This class will provide a brief history of general strikes in the United States. We'll look at where the idea of a general strike comes from, and how this concept is woven into the fabric of U.S. labor history. We'll also examine how general strikes were organized, and what the outcomes were.

Facilitated by Sarah Lazare and Jeff Schuhrke

Register here: https://z.umn.edu/LESCommunityClasses

06/22/2026