The UMass Amherst Labor Center is announcing an exciting new scholarship program for our limited residency Master's degree program in Labor Studies (ULA). Designed for union officers, staff and activists, participants attend 5 ten-day sessions held in January and July and receive their Master's degree in three years. Click here for more information about the program.
Based in part on the contributions of two alums and their unions, we are delighted to announce a new scholarship program that will cover the tuition costs ($2,628) for up to ten (10) new students to start in the ULA session January 7-17, 2017. Students would only need to cover their travel and a meal/facility charge. This is a one-time opportunity to begin the program at a substantially reduced cost. If you are interested in this scholarship program, contact Tom Juravich, and he can assist you with the application process. RALLY TO SAVE THE LABOR CENTER
MONDAY OCTOBER 17 1:00 PM UMASS AMHERST STUDENT UNION STEPS (C3 on this map) Action includes leafleting students about the importance of the Labor Center and supporting the stake holders who are meeting with the Chancellor. Mass. AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman, UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, and Frank Callahan, President of the Mass. Building Trades Council (and Labor Studies alum) are hosting a stake holders meeting on Monday, October 17, 2-4pm, on the UMass Amherst campus, “to consider ways that the UMass administration, labor, and key stake holders can partner to strengthen the Labor Center so that it continues to play a leading role in advancing the cause of organized labor and Massachusetts workers for many years to come.” Steve is bringing 20 other stake holders; the Chancellor’s office will bring others. The meeting is not public. We will rally at 1:00 and proceed to greet and support the stake holders, leafleting along the way. Bring a friend and a homemade sign. We are invited to return at 4pm for a briefing by Steve and others.
By Lucy Martirosyan, WMUA News
https://soundcloud.com/lmartirosyan/labor-center-story-full-mixdown The former director of the Labor Center Eve Weinbaum wrote a letter last month in September that sparked outcry by faculty and alumni of the program; inspiring the organization of Save the Labor Center, which has a petition with nearly 5000 signatures. The term that grabbed everyone's attention was "revenue generator," which has apparently been an expectation of the center for years now. This podcast was made in collaboration with WMUA News and The Daily Collegian. The next meeting of the “Save the Labor Center” Joint Committee of Hampshire/Franklin Central Labor Council and Western Mass. Jobs with Justice is, October 12, 5:00-6:30pm, in Bangs Community Center Glass Room (moved next door from Lower Meeting Room) on the Lower Level, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst.
Dear Brother Tolman,
On October 5, 2016, the Hampshire/Franklin Central Labor Council (HFCLC) and Western Massachusetts Jobs With Justice (WMJWJ) convened stake holders and other UMass Labor Center supporters in Amherst. Attendees emphasized the critical role the Labor Center has played in the recruitment, support, and education of leaders, educators, and advocates of working people everywhere. They formed the “Save the Labor Center” Joint Committee of HFCLC and WMJWJ and will meet again next Wednesday, October 12. We are sending you this email on behalf of the Joint Committee and its sponsoring organizations. The Joint Committee and nearly 5,000 supporters (who have signed the petition at http://bit.ly/SaveLaborCenter) demand the restoration of full-funding to the UMass Amherst Labor Center and the following (language added by the Committee to the petition is in italics): 1. Two years guaranteed GEO-eligible fully funded Research and/or Teaching Assistantships for full-time graduate students who need them. 2. Externship positions for graduate students who need them, so that the Labor Center can accept working-class and diverse students. 3. Centrally funded part-time faculty positions to deliver the full curriculum including Labor Law, Collective Bargaining, Labor Economics, and other key courses. 4. Centrally funded staff positions, at least one full-time, that are dedicated to the Labor Center, including at least one dedicated administrative staff member, in addition to current staffing levels. 5. Faculty governance of the Labor Center—not by the Sociology department or the Dean’s office—and the right of faculty to choose the next Director. 6. A commitment that the Labor Center is an integral part of the University’s educational mission, not just a profit center to subsidize other programs. The University’s budgetary model is simply inappropriate and wrong. All the above should be fully funded by the University, as a central part of its mission, going all the way back to its establishment as a Federal Land Grant university, to serve the working people of the Commonwealth. Convened by the Hampshire/Franklin Central Labor Council and Western Mass. Jobs with Justice, the over two dozen Labor Center allies and staff who met tonight agreed on some next steps:
1. Mass. AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman, UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, and Frank Callahan, President of the Mass. Building Trades Council (and Labor Studies alum) are hosting a meeting on Monday, October 17, 2-4pm, on the UMass Amherst campus, “to consider ways that the UMass administration, labor, and key stake holders can partner to strengthen the Labor Center so that it continues to play a leading role in advancing the cause of organized labor and Massachusetts workers for many years to come.” Steve invited 19 other stake holders; the Chancellor’s office will be inviting others. Steve said, “While we want to keep the meeting small enough to be productive, if you feel we have left important stake holders off our list I would welcome hearing your thoughts.” Some invitees were at the meeting. We looked over the list and felt that some other stake holders need to be invited: |
AuthorThis blog is run and maintained exclusively by alumni of the Labor Center. Today we live all across the country, working in all parts of the Labor Movement. Archives
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