The Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO will host a year-long series of labor education workshops designed to better equip labor activists and leaders to meet the challenges facing today's labor movement. Now in its third year, the Philadelphia Labor Activist Training is co-sponsored by the Labor School at Penn State. All local unions affiliated with the Philadelphia Council are eligible to send members to participate, as well as invited community allies.

The curriculum consists of four comprehensive, non-credit courses designed to develop critical thinking skills and to increase capacity for building power. Instructors include faculty from Penn State's Labor School, labor leaders, and community experts. Using a multi-union setting, the courses encourage participation and networking with other activists. Each course includes ten hours of classroom time over fours weeks. Participants should commit to attending all four sessions of each course. Each 4-week course costs $60. Participants who complete all four courses will graduate with a Certificate in Labor Studies from Penn State.

Fill out the form on this page to register for the first course: Unions For the 21st Century: What Every Activist Should Know. After you submit this form, we will contact you to make arrangements for your payment of the course fee.

Course Dates: Tuesday September 19, Tuesday September 26, Tuesday October 3, Tuesday October 10

Course Time & Location: All sessions run from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Philadelphia Council, AFL-CIO

Course Description: Unions For the 21st Century: What Every Activist Should Know

Since being first organized over 200 years ago, U.S. unions have been a necessary and important part of our democratic society. To remain relevant, however, unions have to adapt to a changing world and a changing workplace. Union leaders and activists need to understand the changing workforce, the changing economy, the needs and concerns of young workers, and how to actively support the development of upcoming leaders. This course will focus on the challenges faced by today's unions and on what union leaders and union activists need to know to effectively address these challenges.

• Week One (9/19): How We Got Here & Current Challenges
• Week Two (9/26): Common Sense Economics
• Week Three (10/5): Engaging Young Workers
• Week Four (10/10): Developing Union Leaders