May 2009 Courses
All Southwest Organizing School classes are held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe is a world-class tourist destination and the second oldest city in the country. Three of Santa Fe’s eight City Councilors come out of the labor movement. The Mayor was a CWA Local President. Santa Fe also has the country’s highest minimum wage ($9.85 per hr), the strongest affordable housing ordinance, and a highly successful immigrant rights movement.

Workers’ Rights – Advanced Grievance Handling
May 3-7

Students will gain a general understanding of workers’ rights by researching employment laws, including discrimination, sexual harassment, Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, OSHA, and other laws. This course will enable student to think strategically about the best ways to resolve legal problems, including using the union contract and involving members and community allies. $498*

Instructors. Morty Simon and Carol Oppenheimer each have more than 25 years of experience as labor attorneys doing arbitration and labor litigation. They have both been listed in The Best Lawyers in America. They have taught trial advocacy and tactics in law schools and to groups of attorneys. They teach arbitration, advanced arbitration, workers’ rights, grievance handling, and negotiations for the Southwest Organizing School. They teach employment law at the main campus of the National Labor College in Washington. They also serve as the Directors of the Southwest Organizing School.

Classes. Classes start at 7 p.m. on Sunday night, May 3rd, and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 4th to 7th. There will be homework at night. All classes will be held at CWA Local 7076, 460 St. Michaels Drive, Building 1000, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Housing. If you need housing, we have made arrangements with the Hotel Plaza Rael, 125 Washington Avenue, in the heart of Santa Fe. It is one-half a block from the Plaza. Rates vary during the year. The rate for the days of this class is $149 per night for a single or a double. Call 505-988-4900 and ask for the special rate for the National Labor College. The cut-off date for holding our block of rooms at the special rate is 30 days prior to the class. There is a $12 per night/per vehicle parking fee.

Developing a Media Strategy
May 8-9

Students will learn how to develop good relations with the media, focus a message, work with reporters, and present union issues in a favorable light through working people and their stories. $332*

Instructor. Cam Duncan has been a labor educator and union researcher for over 20 years. From 1998 to 2006, Cam was Regional Director for the Americas of Public Service International, the global federation of public service unions. PSI represents over 20 million public employees worldwide. Cam also has worked for the AFSCME Research Department, the AFL-CIO Workers Institute for Safety and Health, and the AFL-CIO International Department. Besides teaching for labor groups, Cam taught economics at the American University and the University of Buenos Aires. He served as Chief Economist for the U.S. House Committee on Small Business between 1986 and 1988. Cam received his Ph.D. in labor economics from American University.

Classes. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8th and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th. There will be homework at night. There will be homework at night. All classes will be held at CWA Local 7076, 460 St. Michaels Drive, Building 1000, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Housing. If you need housing, we have made arrangements with the Hotel Plaza Rael, 125 Washington Avenue, in the heart of Santa Fe. It is one-half a block from the Plaza. Rates vary during the year. The rate for the days of this class is $149 per night for a single or a double. Call 505-988-4900 and ask for the special rate for the National Labor College. The cut-off date for holding our block of rooms at the special rate is 30 days prior to the class. There is a $12 per night/per vehicle parking fee.

Union Leadership, Administration and Member Organizing
May 10-14

This class looks at 21st century union leadership strategies and challenges. Students will discuss a wide variety of situations and problems encountered by union officials and staff. Students will also focus on member organizing and how to find and develop more leaders within their locals. $498*

Instructor. Cam Duncan has been a labor educator and union researcher for over 20 years. From 1998 to 2006, Cam was Regional Director for the Americas of Public Service International, the global federation of public service unions. PSI represents over 20 million public employees worldwide. Cam also has worked for the AFSCME Research Department, the AFL-CIO Workers Institute for Safety and Health, and the AFL-CIO International Department. Besides teaching for labor groups, Cam taught economics at the American University and the University of Buenos Aires. He served as Chief Economist for the U.S. House Committee on Small Business between 1986 and 1988. Cam received his Ph.D. in labor economics from American University.

Classes. Classes start at 7 p.m. on Sunday night, May 10th, and continue from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 11th to 14th. There will be homework at night. All classes will be held at CWA Local 7076, 460 St. Michaels Drive, Building 1000, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Housing. If you need housing, we have made arrangements with the Hotel Plaza Rael, 125 Washington Avenue, in the heart of Santa Fe. It is one-half a block from the Plaza. Rates vary during the year. The rate for the days of this class is $149 per night for a single or a double. Call 505-988-4900 and ask for the special rate for the National Labor College. The cut-off date for holding our block of rooms at the special rate is 30 days prior to the class. There is a $12 per night/per vehicle parking fee.

* Southwest Organizing School is a project of the National Labor College (NLC). The NLC is an open enrollment institution. AFL-CIO subsidies make it possible for the NLC to offer affordable tuition rates to individuals who are members or staff of AFL-CIO affiliated unions or other eligible unions, are members of state federations and central labor councils; are members of Working America or have an immediate family relationship with a member of an AFL-CIO affiliated union, or other eligible unions. As of January 1, 2009, tuition is $166 per credit hour, plus a $166 Administrative Fee, for AFL-CIO affiliated union members; $221 per credit hour, plus a $221 Administrative Fee, for non AFL-CIO affiliated union members; $221 per credit hour for members of Working America and union members’ immediate families entering the BTPS program only; $1,083 per credit hour for non-union members. For more information on courses, call Morty Simon, Carol Oppenheimer, or Robin Gould at 505-992-8477 or email them to sworganizing@nlc.edu. For a printable registration form, go to http://www.nlc.edu and click on Southwest School. For registration questions, contact Karen Banks at 301-431-5422 or kbanks@nlc.edu.