MINUTES,
2000-2001
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Minutes of
Executive Board Meetings
UALE
Executive Board Spring Meeting
April 25, 2001
Meeting called to order at 10:05 by
President Kent Wong.
Officers present: Kent Wong, Roberta
Till-Retz, Don Spatz, Katarina Davis del Valle, Elise
Bryant, Bruce Nissen, Tess Ewing, John Revitte, Edgar Moore,
and Charlie Micallef.
Agenda approved.
Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
held on February 9, 2001 were read and approved.
Conference Report was given by Roberta
Till-Retz.
• Recognition was given to
several people, including Tess Ewing, Susan Washington, and
Nina Davis, for their wonderful work in helping organize the
conference.
• Community events will be
added to what is already planned. These events will include
a delegation to Harvard by individuals not tied to task
force and committee meetings. Also, space will be made
available at the conference for buttons and literature to
the firefighters who are in a contract dispute in
Boston
• Discussion of abstracts
for conference attendees was addressed. The desire of the
Board is that the abstracts continue to be
published.
• Agenda for Membership Meeting
discussed.
• Proposed Constitutional
Amendment was discussed.
• A discussion of the proper
sequence of election of additional Board members was
held.
• Discussion of the vacant seat
on the Board was held and the willingness to accept the
nomination by Cecelie Counts. The E-Board appointed to
Cecelie Counts to the vacant position on the
E-Board.
• The issue of the potential
financial difficulty of community based labor educators may
have to get to future E-Board meetings was discussed.
Further discussions will be held when the better sense of
the need is known.
• The E-Board examined the
size of the conference.
Organizational Report was given
by Don Spatz.
• Growth of the membership has
reached the best expected scenarios. The organizing effort
continues. Individuals and institutional membership is
higher than the previous combined membership of UCLEA and
WEL 189.
• Affiliation issues with CWA has
entered a critical stage. At this point, previous 189
members are still receiving CWA literature and have not been
purged from the membership roles. Discussions with other
potential other AFL-CIO unions have taken place. Further
investigations are proceeding.
Labor Studies Journal Report
was submitted by Bruce Nissen.
• There has been great
cooperation with West Virginia Press with the transfer from
Transaction Press.
• The book review list of
unpublished reviews is long. Efforts are being made to
catch-up with the number of book reviews to be printed.
• Special issues editors will be
the main editors of Bruce Nissen and Paul Jarley. The number
and quality of articles are very encouraging.
• Special recognition was given
to Sarah Etherton.
Treasure's Report was given by
Don Spatz.
• Explanation of the report was
given. Including the continuing problem with Transaction
Press. Also the nature of the accounting to show payment in
advance for West Virginia Press concerning the Labor Studies
Journal was discussed.
• Budget scenarios are being met.
We had a very good first year.
• Discussion of the Summer School
Scholarship fund and the amount of contributions between
UALE and the AFL-CIO.
Communications Report given by
Tess Ewing and Charlie Micallef.
• The Directory is being
distributed to members that register at the conference.
Intentions and plans to re-publish a 2002 version are
underway. This a work in progress and needs constant
updating. Corrections to the current issue should be faxed
to Charlie.
• Tess reports on the status of
the web site development. The test site is very extensive
and attractive. The site is expected to be launched soon.
• Looking for institutional
support with the necessary professional assistance to
maintain the site.
Other business was discussed
relative to next year's conference. A desire was expressed
that next year's conference be held in
California.
Good and welfare
• Rose Daitsman has stayed active
within the labor movement. Rose's deceased husband was a
respected labor educator and long time member of WEL
189.
• The E-Board has endorsed an
effort to initiate a campaign to require that TIA-CRIFF
retirement and investment funds be invested in socially
responsible organizations.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:30
PM.
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UALE
Executive Board Winter Meeting
February 2, 2001
Meeting called to order by President
Wong at 9:30 AM.
Members Present: Kent Wong, Roberta
Till-Retz, Don Spatz, Katarina Davis del Valle, Elise
Bryant, Bruce Nissen, Tess Ewing, John Revitte, Edgar Moore,
and Charlie Micallef.
Agenda Reviewed.
Items Added:
- Report on AFL-CIO Education
Director's meeting held on February 1.
- Strategic planning
concerns.
- Vacant officer position on the
E-Brd.
- Directors of university programs
request to appear.
Kent Wong gave a brief report on
AFL-CIO Education Director's meeting held on February
1.
Organization and Finance report given
by Don Spatz.
- Financial Report
- Discussion regarding invoices
offered by Transaction Press.
- Recognition of contributors of
founding convention.
- Report on sustaining
members.
- Membership continues to grow. The
total is 509 and more to be added to the
list.
- Discussion of proposed budget for
future activities.
- Discussion for a budget for the
2001 Conference. Roberta noted ways to save money for
up-coming conference.
- A lengthy discussion regarding
efforts to grow the membership of individuals as well as
institution was held.
- A new brochure with a new design
was discussed. Tess and Katarina indicated that they
might be able to assist.
Annual Conference report given by
Roberta Till-Retz.
- Discussion of recognizing the
participation of union labor educators involved in
planning meeting.
- The agenda of the conference was
described.
- Issues of timing of events were
discussed.
- Roles and functions of chairs and
discussants were discussed.
- Favors to be distributed in the
form of tote bags or shoulder bags were
discussed.
- The need for support staff
discussed.
Labor Studies Journal report was given
by Bruce Nissen.
- Recommendations to the full Board
will be made soon.
- Bruce Nissen and Paul Jarley will
serve as joint editors to the Journal.
- All other positions are currently
nearly filled and transitions from previous board members
are proceeding well.
- Types of articles, numbers of
articles, maintenance of book reviews, relationship to
web site, teaching innovations for inclusion as articles
were all discussed as potential future changes to be
developed. There was expressed a good deal of excitement
for the changes being explored. Action of Board moved
that the changes to Labor Studies Journal Board be made
of this date.
- A letter is to be sent to the
former members of the LSJ to thank them for their
assistance.
- Assignments to the Labor Studies
Journal were made by the drawing of names to serve in the
staggered terms as dictated by the
Constitution.
Communications Committee report given
by Tess Ewing.
- Lengthy discussion relative to the
development options for a web site.
- Directory to be sold at $75 and
the mailing list to distributed at $50.
- Extensive dialogue regarding the
potential of communications medium of bulletins,
internet, and Journal.
- Contributions that are continuing
from Ed Czarnecki are recognized.
- The need and investigation into
person to maintain a growing need for a more extensive
website was discussed.
- The development for a new
directory is underway and it will be available for the
Conference. Charlie reported that it will start in a
modest format and then grow incrementally in
time.
Report on the IFWEA was given by Kent
Wong. He noted that the new officers of the IFWEA included
Sue Schurman and himself.
Vacancy on the Executive Board exists
because of the resignation of Phyllis Olmacher. Regretfully,
Phyllis resigned due to changes in her employment. It is
recommended that a selection be made for a term of one
year.
Meeting adjourned for lunch and to
reconvene at 1:20 with the directors of university
programs.
Reconvened at 1:20
University directors requested a
meeting with the Officers of UALE. Joining the officers in
attendance were: Tom Juravich, Kate Bronfrenbrenner, Diane
Thomas-Holladay, Kirsten Spalding, Marcus Widenor, Ken
Mericle, Paul Rainsberger, and Paul Jarley.
A lengthy discussion was held in
regards to needs of academic institutions and the history of
that need. It was noted that at the time of the formation of
UALE, a recognition of that and other needs were to come in
the future as those needs developed. It was noted that these
un-met needs of representation are also seen in unions and
community labor education areas. Discussion was tabled for
later in the day as meeting was joined by Marilyn
Schneiderman at 2:45.
Marilyn Schneiderman noted the efforts
that were underway by the AFL-CIO and discussed the role
labor education building the labor movement at the state and
local level. The "Union Cities" program was discussed and
the designing a delivery system for education in terms of
leadership development and materials.
The meeting is reconvened at
3:15.
After continuing the discussion of the
need for representation in specific areas of the field of
labor education; It was moved to expand the Board by three
new elected positions of: a director of union education
program, a director of a university/college program, and an
educator representing a community/independent program. A
vote was taken to propose a change the Constitution. The
vote passes to propose to the membership to expand the Board
by three new elected seats of a director of union education
program, a director of a university/college program, and an
educator representing a community/independent
program.
Report on CWA and the relationship we
have to it. The history of that relationship and the issues
were discussed.
Various committee appointments were
made by Kent Wong.
Mailings were discussed.
Reimbursement for costs associated
with Western Conference was approved.
Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM by
Kent Wong
Minutes submitted by Charlie
Micallef
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UALE
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
September 8 - 9, 2000, Washington
D.C.
Present: Elise Bryant, Katarina Davis
del Valle, Tess Ewing, Edgar Moore, Bruce Nissen, Phyllis
Ohlemacher, John Revitte, Don Spatz, Roberta Till-Retz, Kent
Wong
Absent: Charlie Micallef
Minutes Prepared by Kent
Wong
ORGANIZATION BUILDING AND
FINANCES
Treasurer Don Spatz provided detailed
financial reports, and reported that the accounts of UCLEA
and WEL 189 were successfully consolidated. While the
balance of UALE is healthy, he expressed concerns that we
need to recruit institutional and individual members so that
we do use up the savings of the organization.
The Board unanimously adopted the
financial report, and a proposed budget submitted by the
Treasurer for the coming year.
With regard to the organizing plan, we
resolved that we would send a letter to all prior members of
UCLEA and 189 members who have not yet joined UALE. Each of
the regional representatives of the UALE: Katarina, Edgar,
Tess and Bruce, would be responsible for organizing a team
from their region to personally call all of the individuals
who have not yet joined.
In addition, John and Kent will
develop a regional plan to follow up with all of the Labor
Centers that have not yet joined UALE. Elise and Phyllis
will develop a plan to follow up on key labor unions that
have not yet joined UALE.
MEETING WITH CORPORATE
AFFAIRS
The UALE Board met with Keith
Mestrich, assistant director for Strategic Research within
the Corporate Affairs Department. The meeting provided a
good overview of the Corporate Affairs Department, and the
UALE Board invited them to participate in the annual
conference.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Susan Washington and Cecelie Blakely
from the Education Department participated in this
discussion. Roberta Till-Retz reported that the conference
preparation was proceeding well. The conference will be held
in Boston from April 26 - 29 with the theme, "Building Union
Power in a Changing Economy." We will extend the deadline
for papers and workshops until October 31, 2000. All Board
members should assist in recruiting proposals. We also had a
brainstorming session regarding plenary sessions and plenary
speakers for the conference.
We also resolved that the next
Education Department and Labor Center Directors meeting will
be on February 1, 2001 in Washington D.C. The focus will be
on:
- What is the labor movement's
education agenda?
- Preparation for the Annual
Conference
- Strengthening relationships
between Education Departments and Labor
Centers
LABOR STUDIES JOURNAL
Bruce Nissen reported on a successful
Internet discussion on proposals regarding the Labor Studies
Journal. The Board unanimously adopted the proposed Mission
Statement. Bruce also reported on a healthy discussion on
the strengths and weaknesses of the current Journal. The
Executive Board took action on several issues on the
composition of the new Editorial Board.
The Executive Board voted to recruit
and appoint a new editorial board consisting of 16 members.
The Editor will be appointed for a four-year term (Vote: 8
&emdash; 2). The Managing Editor will be appointed to a
3-year term (Vote: 9 &emdash; 1). All Editorial Board
members will serve for 3-year terms, and the terms will be
staggered so that 1/3 of the Board members will be up for
rotation each year.
In addition to the Editor and Managing
Editor, there will be 4 Assistant Editors for special
sections, and 10 at large board members.
Bruce, John and Phyllis will develop
job descriptions for the Editor, Managing Editor, 4
Assistant Editors, and 10 at-large board members, and they
will also publicize the job announcements. The posting will
be done no later than September 30, 2000. The deadline for
applications will be November 15, 2000. The four officers
will be responsible for reviewing the applications and
appointing the Editorial Board, which will hopefully be in
place by the beginning of 2001.
COMMUNICATIONS
We need to develop a UALE Web Site,
and maintain the site. We will explore having the Web Site
based at the University of Iowa, since there will be a lot
of communication regarding the conference.
In addition, UALE will be issuing two
mailings to our membership in the next few months. The first
will announce the main resolutions from this meeting, the
Labor Studies Journal positions, a Conference Update, and a
UALE organizational chart requesting volunteers. The second
mailing will announce information on the Web Site, the new
Labor Studies Journal Board, another Conference Update, and
a Book Review List. We will ask Charlie Micallef to assist
with the mailings.
We will also ask Tess to continue to
work with the Communications Work Team to follow up on the
communication needs of UALE.
IFWEA
Kent Wong represented UALE at the
International Federation of Worker Education Association
Convention in Helsinki on August 23 - 27, 2000. Sue Schurman
also attended representing the George Meany Center. Kent and
Sue were both elected to the 19-member IFWEA Executive
Committee, and will be representing U.S. based labor
educators.
During the meeting in Helsinki, Kent
and Sue met with leaders of the IFWEA to plan for an
International Worker Education gathering at the George Meany
Center. The gathering will be on November 19 - 21, 2000. All
UALE Executive Committee members are invited to attend. We
anticipate about 20 U.S. labor educators and 20
international labor educators will participate.
OTHER BUSINESS
Women Summer Schools
The issue was raised whether non-UALE
institutions could host the UALE Summer School. The
Executive Board decided that only UALE institutions could
host the UALE Summer School (6-2-2).
Standing Committees
The UALE Constitution provides that
the Executive Board shall appoint Standing Committees. The
following standing committees are in need of chairs:
Academic Standards, Constitution and By-Laws, Professional
Welfare, Institutional Membership. The Executive Board
deferred the selection of chairs to the Officers, to be
announced at the February 2 meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the UALE Executive
Board will be on Friday, February 2 in Washington, D.C.
Issues to be discussed include: UALE's Vision of Labor
Education, UALE Archives, Conference Update, and Labor
Studies Journal Update.
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UALE
Membership Meeting
April 28, 2001
Meeting called to order at 2:40 PM
by President Kent Wong
Approximately 73 members and
officers signed the attendance rooster.
Introductions and welcoming of new
members was carried out in order.
The Agenda was presented to the
membership.
President's Report was given
by Kent Wong, President.
• Kent noted the major first year
accomplishments of UALE.
•
New LSJ with two new co
editors, Bruce Nissen and Paul Jarley.
•
New LSJ Publisher
•
567 individual members and
54 institutional members of UALE . This greater than
our expectations.
•
New Directory
• Two UALE members, Kent Wong
and Sue Schurman are on the IFWEA Executive
Board
• Standardized joint meeting
with AFL-CIO Education Departments.
• Resignation of Phyllis
Ohlemacher from the Executive Board due to change in her
employment.
• Notification of the
Executive Board action to appoint Cecelie Counts of the
AFL-CIO Education Department to the position.
• Kent noted recommendation by
the E-Board for a Constitutional Amendment.
New
Business:
• Recommendation by the
E-Board for a Constitutional Amendment to change "Article
VII -- Executive Board." The proposed was before the
membership in print and it was read. Rationale was
presented for the change which would add three positions
to the Executive Board.
• Motion by Bryant, seconded
by Ewing to adopt the recommendation of the E-Board.
After a brief discussion the question was called. The
motion unanimously passed in voice vote.
• The membership moved to
elect the positions called for in the previous change to
the constitution.
• Executive
Board position for a director of a university or
college program:
• Nomination
by John Kretzschmar for the director of the
University of Arkansas labor education center,
Diane Thomas-Holladay. Diane Thomas-Holladay was
elected by acclamation to the Executive Board
position for a director of a university or college
program.
• Executive
Board position for a director of a union labor
education department:
• Nomination
by Jim Leslie for the director of education at
Communication Workers of America, Dennis Serette.
Dennis Serette was elected by acclamation to the
Executive Board position for a director of a union
labor education department.
•
Executive Board position for
a community based labor educator:
• Nomination
by Roberta Till-Retz for community based labor
educator from the Center for Labor and Community
Research in Chicago, Robert Ginsburg. Robert
Ginsburg was elected by acclamation to the
Executive Board position for a community based
labor educator.
Reports
Vice-President's Report
given by Roberta Till-Retz.
• Plans for conference of 2002
need to start and the planning process was
explained.
• Request for input on next
years program planning.
• Participation needed to
identify a subject theme for next year's
conference.
Treasurer's Report given by
Don Spatz.
• An explanation of major
points of the report relating to revenue and expenses was
presented to the body.
• The treasurer's report was
accepted.
Secretary's Report was given
by Charlie Micallef and Tess Ewing.
• The secretary notes the
efforts of others to help in the development of the
directory. Also, notes that corrections should be sent in
for the ongoing process for preparing next year's
directory.
• Tess Ewing explains the
nature of the web site test page. Appeals for a list
server and someone to maintain the site. Notes the need
for some need of mailings to take place.
Labor Studies Journal Report
was jointly delivered by Bruce Nissen and Paul
Jarley.
• Noted that a good LSJ Board
meeting was held.
• Have some good articles to
publish.
• Back log of 51 book reviews
to publish.
• Taking a proactive approach
to attract and seek quality articles.
Committee and
Caucus Reports:
People of Color
Caucus:
• People of Color Caucus
reports that a list serve has been put
together.
• Resolution presented by
Brother Dennis Orton regarding support of the dockworkers
of Charleston, SC from ILA Local # 1422. The membership
adopted the resolution in full. A request that a letter
be sent in support was noted.
Gay and Lesbian
Caucus:
• Gay and Lesbian Caucus
report delivered by Troy Arnold. The report contained a
list of recommendations to the body.
• Recommendation that Bylaws
be changed to include a new name for the Gay and Lesbian
Caucus to the Queer Caucus.
• They advocate that future
UALE conferences not schedule concurrent caucus meetings
to accommodate people with multiple and diverse community
affiliations. Concurrent caucuses prevent people from
building coalitions.
• Call for queer panels,
roundtables, and workshops at the UALE 2002.
• The Gay and Lesbian Caucus
is organizing a list serve. Anyone interested contact
Brother Arnold or any member of the Caucus.
Notification of Women's
Committee meeting for Sunday at 9:00
am.
• Acknowledge was given for
those that held summer schools.
• List of the coming schools
for this year.
Labor Council Task Force
reports that efforts are underway to develop further
leadership development curriculum.
Organizing Task Force is
conducting an out reach effort.
Worker Participation Task
Force issued no report.
New
Business:
• Resolution forwarded by
Bruce Nissen, seconded by Dorothy Fennell that the UALE
strongly affirms its support for the following labor
standards which are internationally recognized to be
fundamental human rights:
•
Freedom of
Association
•
Right to organize and
bargain collectively
•
Prohibition of forced
labor
•
Elimination of exploitative
forms of child labor
•
Non-discrimination in
employment or occupation.
After some discussion and
amendments that were offered, the proposed resolution
stood as originally offered with the notation that the
original and final form should conform to ILO standards.
The membership voted in favor of the resolution. As
follows:
The United Association for Labor
Education strongly affirms its support for the following
core labor standards which are internationally recognized
to be fundamental human rights:
1. Freedom of
association
2. Right to organize and bargain
collectively
3. Prohibition of forced
labor
4. Elimination of child
labor
5. Non-discrimination in employment
or occupation
Good and
Welfare:
• Call for papers for a
conference to be held at SUNY Stony Brook &endash; June
5-9, 2002. The conference is to be presented by the Group
for the Study of Working Class Life. Conference
coordinator is Brother Michael Zweig.
• Announcement of Midwest
Summer School for Women theme "Sweatshop to
Solidarity.
• Request from Joe Berry
regarding desire to research organizing of contingent
faculty.
• Several position
announcements were made.
• Regrets for the passing of
sister Freda Rosen.
• Regrets for the passing of
sister Debra Bernhardt. Sister Debra had been a long time
member of WEL # 189 and archivist at the Wagner Library.
Her husband, Jon Bloom, also member and author of the
History of WEL # 189: The 75th Anniversary is active in
the New York city area.
• Request for the scholarship
funds in honor of Everett Miller. Please contact brother
Bill Barry.
• Announcement by sister Elise
Bryant regarding the Labor Heritage Foundation.
• Recognition given to
Canadian labour education book, Union Learning: Canadian
Labour Education in the Twentieth Century.
Meeting Adjourned at
4:25
Respectfully submitted by Charles
Micallef, Recording Secretary
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Page
Minutes
of Committees etc.
LGBT
Caucus
People of Color
Caucus
Women's
Committee
UALE
Color Caucus Meeting
4PM, 27 April
2001
Attending:
· Henry
Jackson-hjackson@iamaw.org
· James Steele-james_steele@qc.edu
· Maria Figueroa-mef22@cornell.edu
· Frank Bain-AFSCME Local 189
Organizer-503-708-6382
· Angela Conley-angelac57@hotmail.com
· Henry Jackson-hjackson@iamaw.org
· James Steele-james_steele@qc.edu
· Maria Figueroa-mef22@cornell.edu
· P.J. Dowsing-dowsing-buie@worldnet.att.net
· Dennis Serrette-decat@aol.cm
· Verlene Wilder-verlenekclc@lgc.org
· Ricardo Lewis
Morales-ricardo@northlandposter.com
· Bill Murphy-Bureau of Labor
Education-207-581-4124
· Edgar Moore-edgarmoore@unomaha.ed
· Elise Bryant-ebryant@georgemeany.org
· Lisa Jordan-Univ. of MN-ljordan@csom.umn.edu
· Denis Orton-Brisbane
Institute-dorton@morehouse.edu
· Katarina Davis del Valle-davisdek@seiu.org
· Warren Mar-warrmar@uclink.berkeley.edu
· Luther Williams-lwilliams@IAman.org (708)
562-3098
The meeting opened
with introductions and was chaired by Edgar Moore. Mr.
Moore asked for agenda items and topics. Dennis Orton
(Brisbane Institute) opened with a detailed discussion of
the developing nations character of South Carolina and
union organizing success in the Southeast. He spoke at
length about the Charleston Five and the situation with
dockworkers in Charleston. He talked about the need for
UALE to address global issues like expanding union
membership in the SouthEast and nurturing leaders from
the members already on the books. Dennis emphasized
international capital investment in recruitment and
building alliances. He talked about the AFRAM caucus with
SEIU and the importance of attainable and goals oriented
social justice agendas. He hoped that these and
specifically the topics of regional spotlights and
challenging union status quo reality would be raised in
this caucus arena and on a broader level.
Warren Mar shared
how frustrated he is with the topic of race being avoided
via the use of terminology identifying 'new immigrants.
He discussed how Asians and Latinos are relegated to
immigrant status even if they are American citizens
because immigrant is the new code for race.
Angela Conley
(Queens College) shared how involved undergraduates are
on issues of maquila and WTO challenges and organizing.
She emphasized the need to better use technology to
establish broad reaching agendas and to bring 'older
heads' up to speed with their youthful, collegiate
counterparts with regard to frontline
activism.
Ricardo Morales
(Northland posters) talked about the global economy and
the need to raise awareness about its impact on race as a
topic not frequently addressed or discussed by
unions.
Bill Murphy (Bureau
of Labor Ed) talked about the demographics of labor and
how less than 8% of the membership remains once you
remove the presence of women, people of color and public
employees. He reiterated that Unions need to address
their own issues of race and power. He also emphasized
the importance of education in raising issues of race and
power and how important it is for all of us to raise
these concerns.
Elise Bryant (Meany
Ctr) talked about the challenge of synchronizing
alliances. She raised the impact of social democracy and
how to get education affiliates on board. Elise suggested
that we need to do our own research and thus gain access
to seats of power. She shared how difficult it is to find
folks for position openings at the Meany Center. Elise
also talked about how credential focused labor has become
wherein it is now rare to find folks who began their
activism as she did, prior to completing her degree. She
felt there is great focus now on activist in the academy
getting degrees.
Lisa Jordan shared
that Minnesota too talks much about immigrants. She said
that it is often enlightening for folks in the academy;
especially Caucasians to forget that race is an ongoing
issue. She talked about Minnesota's website,
www.workdayminnesota.com and the need to put articles in
the Labor Studies Journal. She alluded to the last issue
where issues of race, class and gender generated much
controversy.
Ricardo talked
about how brazen companies have become in using group
dynamics to play people of color and immigrants off
against each other. He shared that the company had been
successful in this endeavor based on the conversations he
overheard with groups discussing other groups in less
than complementary terms.
Dennis Serrette
(CWA) talked about the need to put race on the agenda and
how nationalism within black and Latino communities is
often divisive. Mr. Serrette emphasized the need to
include class as a component in the discussions brought
to the table. He shared how in '71 that the caucus began
to address this issue. He granted that it was apparently
time again for unions to re-examine and police the ground
gained back when.
Katerina Davis del
Valle (SEIU) talked about the efforts in California. She
said that it is good to raise general issues and the need
to continue to do so. However, she further stated that we
need to identify specific issues that we as a caucus want
to bring to the fore. She reminded folks that 4 of the 11
folks on the executive board were also members of the
Color Caucus. Katerina reiterated that race is the
elephant overlooked under the misnomer of 'new
immigrants.'
Dennis suggested
that the consensus exists already that serious challenges
are faced by labor in an era where Bush seems intent on a
return to Reagonomics. He stated that racism is important
but we must also organize regional areas. Brisbane's
focus on southeast concerns is directly in response to
the international focus on South Carolina for business
because there is so little union presence in that state.
He suggested that worker organizations as opposed to
unions in specific were a negligible presence in the
southeast when compared to NYC union membership.
International capitalism and exploitation under the
rubric of neo-liberalism occurs right now in the United
States. We need to be about challenging issues like the
Charleston Five where brothers are under house arrest
since January 2000. These same brothers faced 600 riot
clad police and felony charges for protesting in a right
to work state. He reminded us that the issue goes beyond
black disenfranchisement in anti-union forces attempts to
under mine union footholds. He conceded that
institutionalized racism and regional oppression were
also factors in SouthEast struggles.
Dennis was then
volunteered to author a resolution from the Color Caucus
to express our support of the Longshoremen's efforts in
Charleston and our protest for the situation with
governor-endorsed attacks on those known as the
Charleston Five. He will disseminate his resolution via
email.
Katerina suggested
we brainstorm issues for a theme for the conference
edition of the journal. She recommended that we commit to
reaching out to each other and to write articles for the
journal.
Warren Mar
suggested that we have UALE pass a resolution to sponsor
a solidarity tour for those fighting in South Carolina.
He suggested that the AFL-CIO offer concrete support and
assistance to the Charleston Five and the Longshoreman
fighting in South Carolina.
Bill Murphy raised
again the need to increase awareness about race and other
issues via the UALE homepage. He recommended the caucus
establish a systemic presence on the UALE homepage. He
also recommended that we disseminate issues about what
labor educators can and should be doing to create and
implement specific approaches to the concerns
expressed.
Lisa shared how
easy it is to criticize the labor movement when you are
an academic, in spite of tenure issues. She shared
information about Minnesota's Center for Working Class
Study. She also shared the website address for
WorkdayMinnesota.org and encouraged folks that they are
open to article contributions.
Richard encouraged
folks to understand how much the racial dimension is
wound through issues not specifically presented as such
in content. He addressed how class policies made
acceptable the spectrum for how race can play itself
out.
Edgar Moore shared
how he and Bob Cunningham had created a 'five year summer
school' and used that venue to educate and train union
leaders. He talked about the need for teaching techniques
for teaching and other curricula topics that were
previously addressed. He described a movement and program
where a cross section of folks (credentialed and
otherwise) were involved. Edgar then reminded folks that
the folks who began this effort have all since retired.
He then invited folks to join him on a self-guided tour
of the Boston Black Heritage trail. Katerina reminded
folks that many cities had such like tours, including New
Orleans.
Dennis Ortman
announced a speaking engagement that evening in Boston at
the Community Church. Dinner is provided.
Bill reminded folks
to keep the discussion going and to send and share
relevant articles with each other via email and snail
mail.
Elise encouraged
folks to participate in the Labor Culture evening planned
that would feature people of color and different
traditions that evening in The Terrace Room.
James Steele
encouraged us all to raise issues and topics including
immigration with the sobriquet that to do so could be
dangerous, BUT that danger can also represent opportunity
and that might generate public policy concerns and
further discussion. He suggested that Trent Lott, and Tom
Delay were no accidents and that much of what we termed
economic could not be so without political support and
backing. He suggested that people think about how so much
power came from the south.
Edgar reminded us
that blacks were not singular in their disenfranchisement
in the recent election, but that working and middle class
whites were likewise disenfranchised.
Luther suggested
that we also need to do more to raise the importance of
investing in unions and participating in the leadership
to the 'average union man on the street.' He suggested
that it is a precarious notion to presume that folks feel
invested just because they are union members by virtue of
where they are employed.
P.J. Dowsing said
union members who are such as a result of their employ
have no express need to get involved to acquire
representation and how incumbent it is upon union
leaders, especially those active as we are, to make sense
of and clarify the relevance of union involvement for the
working man.
Edgar shared that
Everett Freeman had addressed just such a topic in his
PhD dissertation, which talked about the African-American
presence in unions.
Dennis reminded us
all that those in leadership were typically not elected
from the floor as much as selected by their predecessors.
He suggested that it was no wonder that our national
elections would reflect the same.
Edgar Moore
adjourned the meeting so that those interested could
attend Dennis Ortan's talk at Community Church. Several
planned to meet on Saturday to complete the self-guided
tour of the Black Heritage trail.
Angela agreed to
forward the minutes and establish a list serve so that we
could all remain in touch. The meeting adjourned at
5:35PM.
Respectfully
submitted by Angela Conley/Queens College
People
of Color Caucus Contact Info
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LGBT
Caucus
The
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Caucus met on Friday,
April 27 at 4:00 pm, with the following people in
attendance: Stephanie Arellano, Troy Arnold, Tess Ewing,
Kim William Jones, Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz, Larry Kelly
and Pat Reeve.
Official minutes
were not taken. The following was reconstructed from
unofficial notes taken by participants.
The meeting was
called to order by Tess Ewing, who explained the
following:
There is no official agenda for this meeting. Rather,
this is an exploratory meeting to see if there is
interest in having a continuing LGBT caucus. The LGBT
Caucus is not mandated by the UALE constitution. The
transition committee (from UCLEA and Workers' Education
Local 189) that wrote the constitution for UALE did not
want to mandate caucuses or committees that were not
really going to meet. Instead, they wrote a minimal
number of such bodies into the consitition and gave the
E.Board the authority to appoint additional ones as
needed. Tess expressed a willingness to convene a Gay and
Lesbian Caucus, and the EBoard agreed. So one thing we
need to do today is decide whether we want UALE to have
an LGBT Caucus.
The participants
decided unanimously to recommend that UALE:
- include "sexual
orientation" in all language listing oppressed groups
and
- mandate a LGBT
caucus.
There was
discussion on sharing curriculum and training materials
on fighting homophobia and LGBT rights. Troy Arnold
agreed to be a contact person for information
sharing.
We decided to ask
UALE to try not to schedule caucuses at the same time as
each other. This meeting is taking place at the same time
as the Peopleof Color Caucus. That turns the Queer caucus
into a white meeting and the Peole of Color into a
straight meeting.
We also came up
with several recommendations for the next UALE
conference:
- Panel
discussions including LGBT issues at the next
conference, so that these issues are not left to
isolated individuals to bring up.
- We need to
develop recruitment plan to bring LGBT labor educators
into UALE.
- Have speakers
incorporate LGBT experience into their
talks.
- Incorporate
role plays/game-show type formats to challenge
stereotypes
- Do a power
analysis: invisibility of LGBT people in a labor
educators' organization is paradoxical.
- When giving a
report for the Caucus, we can ask Caucus members to
stand up and be seen. However, before asking, we need
to acknowledge the reasons some of us may have for
feeling discomfort and being unwilling to stand up.
Only those that feel comfortable would be asked to
stand.
- Share stories
of people who have experienced "-isms"
The Caucus
neglected to elect a Chair, or to decide on an official
name. To reach us, contact either Troy
Arnold or
Tess
Ewing.
LGBT
Caucus Contact Info
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of Page
Women's
Committee
Sunday April
29, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Elise Bryant,
Chair
Helena Worthen,
Co-Chair
Minutes
Present: Ancel,
Judy; Byrd, Barbara; Bryant, Elise; Cortez, Claudia;
Dave, Alana; DelaCruz, Yvette; delValle, Katarina Davis;
Eade, Carrie; Ewing, Tess; Feekin, Lynn; Ihnken, Yvonne;
Jordan, Lisa; Kennedy, Elaine; Kline, Kate; McMahon,
June; Moss, Helen; Troutman-Poole, Jean; Sutton,
Catherine; Washington, Susan; Wilder, Verlene; Worthen,
Helena
1. Welcome,
Introductions
2. Report on
proposal to increase AFL-CIO funding for women's summer
schools (Susan Washington). Proposal as submitted did not
have sufficient budgetary detail. Current funding for
schools is $1000 from AFL, $400 from UALE. Need breakdown
of costs of staff and materials. Biggest block of cost is
instructors' time. Get further information (Elise Bryant,
Catherine Sutton) on financial arrangements. Yvette
DelaCruz is new Dept. of Education contact for UALE.
AFL-CIO will review and determine what it can contribute.
AFL-CIO can do cross-state mailings, keep and develop
mailing lists, draw on education dept. of AFL,
communicate with central labor councils.
3. Report on
Women's Schools/survey.
Northeast: U. of
Connecticut: more than 100 participants (Maria-Luz
Samper, Coordinator).
Western: University
of Oregon 2000. Child care ($5 a day stipend to be used
as participant chose). Three generations of organizers.
Summer 2001: Hawaii.
Midwest: U of
Illinois Champaign-Urbana, about 85 participants
(Michelle Kaminski). Summer 2001: University of Missouri
Kansas City.
Southern: Florida
International. 60-80 participants. Summer 2001: George
Meany center.
Proposal: to
combine Midwest and Southern Schools in Kentucky for
2002.
Problems in running
a women's school: getting the whole machinery up fresh
each year in a new place. UCLA: became more like a
commuter school, people leaving at dinner. Problems:
child care. Getting institutions to supply administrative
help. Make a commitment to residential schools, not
commuter schools. Increase the commuter rate. Have
schools at different time of year. Locate schools in
rural area. Identify a designated hang-out location.
Alana Dave (International Federation of Workers'
Education Associations, Manchester, UK) can arrange for
women from other countries to come and teach concrete
differences in women's working conditions in different
countries.
Proposal: To
provide a "how to do a women's school" handbook.
Resource: Barbara Byrd. Jean Troutman-Poole and June
McMahon will locate old versions. Contributions to this
handbook requested.
4. Planning
discussion: membership, organizational
considerations.
We need discussion
(e-mail) on how to identify the role of the women's
committee (WC). This impacts our place on the UALE
conference program. The WC has some features of a caucus
and some of a committee. Low attendance: women in UALE do
not understand whether or not they should attend this
meeting. Are all women in UALE automatically members of
the WC? Can men belong to the WC?
As a women's
caucus, this meeting could be expected to deal with
women's issues/gender issues within the labor education
world such as salary equity, working conditions, post
jobs, address issues of hiring and references (both for
academic and union positions). As a women's committee it
could be expected to deal with issues outside UALE, host
a reception at the conference, plan the women's schools.
Proposal: to host a
reception early in the conference, have a separate
meeting at another time in the conference for planning
the women's schools.
5. New Business:
Cuba trip 3rd week in November, 2001. Contact: Jean
Troutman-Poole.
6. Elections. Chair
2001-2: Helena Worthen; Co-Chair 2001-2: Kate Kline (one
union, one academic).
Thanks to Elise
Bryant for two terms as Chair of the Women's Committee.
Thank you, Elise.
Women's
Caucus Contact Info
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