Union marks 53rd year with School for Workers
THE BOILERMAKERS union marked its 53rd year of participation in the annual summer training institute at the University of Wisconsin’s School for Workers (SFW) in Madison July 12-16. Twenty-six local lodge leaders attended the Basic class; the Advanced class was not held this year.
Participants received training from SFW professors as well as International staff on topics geared to a broad understanding of the labor movement and skills that are essential to union leadership development.
This year’s class was held at the Madison Concourse Hotel, located between the university and the state capitol square.
Classes taught by SFW professors included unions and society, administering the labor agreement, collective bargaining, the National Labor Relations Act, workers and the global economy, the Family and Medical Leave Act, health and safety, and labor history. Classes taught by Boilermaker staff included political action, health and safety, Boilermaker history, communication skills, and structure of the Boilermaker union.
As with previous institutes, members took advantage of their time together to share experiences from across the spectrum of Boilermaker industries and occupations. In addition to participating in a focused learning environment, members enjoyed opportunities to socialize after hours, build friendships, and explore the state capital city of Madison and the University of Wisconsin.
Members attending the 2010 Basic class included Eric Edgren, Local 29 (Boston); Oscar Davila and Jeff Gleason, Local 92 (Los Angeles); Jon’e Lahaye, Allen Ford, and Don Chaney, Local D93 (Humboldt, Kan.); John McWhorter, Local 105 (Chillicothe, Ohio); Mike Prosneski, Todd Kishlock, Jerome Roark, and David Spencer, Local 344 (Ridgecrest, Calif.); Paul Biggs and Jerome Smith, Local 374 (Hammond, Ind.); Juan Garcia, Local 549 (Pittsburg, Calif.); Wendy Piatz, Local 647 (Minneapolis); James Young, Eli Matthews, Marco Robles, Morris Smith, Robert Flores, Fernando Arroyo, and Jose Rios, Local 1247 (Chicago); Kyle Hinson, Kenneth Milkey, and Diane Lancour, Local 1509 (Cudahy, Wis.); and Intl. Rep Mike West.
Teaching for the School for Workers were Associate Professor David Nack, Director and Professor Neill DeClercq, and Assistant Professor Michael Childers.
Boilermaker staff providing instruction included Donald Caswell, Director of the Communication and Education Department; Bridget Martin, Director of Political Affairs; Mark Garrett, Director of Health & Safety Services; and Mike Linderer, writer and editor in the Communication and Education Department.
