University of Iowa Labor Center

University of Iowa Labor Center The Labor Center strengthens Iowa by providing timely research and education for workers statewide. Learn more on our website: https://laborcenter.uiowa.edu/

We offer a wide range of non-credit courses designed for labor union members and leaders on topics including: steward education and contract administration, collective bargaining, labor and employment law, public policy issues, leadership development, organizing and mobilizing, economics, labor history, and much more. If you are interested in attending classes, visit our website: http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/laborctr/

We salute the four outstanding leaders inducted into the Iowa Labor Hall of Fame at last week's 2026 banquet: Greg Lewis...
08/25/2026

We salute the four outstanding leaders inducted into the Iowa Labor Hall of Fame at last week's 2026 banquet: Greg Lewis, Kerry Bowen, Bob Brown, and our former Director and Labor Educator Paul Iversen! These leaders have each dedicated their lives to advancing quality jobs, solidarity, and strong communities across our state. Congratulations to the inductees and thank you for all you have done for the working people of Iowa!

The Labor Center had the privilege of presenting a workshop at the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO annual convention t...
08/21/2026

The Labor Center had the privilege of presenting a workshop at the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO annual convention this week on collective bargaining and the future of technology & AI. The participants were engaging and the discussion was incredible.

We are grateful for the research assistance and hard work the law students in the Iowa College of Law Tech Law Clinic have provided over the past year. We look forward to continuing to research and provide education on the ways evolving technologies are impacting workers and workplaces.

Today, we are celebrating our wonderful Administrative Services Specialist, Noël VanDenBosch. Over the past two years, N...
08/15/2026

Today, we are celebrating our wonderful Administrative Services Specialist, Noël VanDenBosch. Over the past two years, Noël has coordinated statewide and national Labor Center conferences, developed a new monthly e-newsletter, streamlined our accounting systems, launched fundraising campaigns, planned our 75th Anniversary event, and built strong relationships with our partners. She has always had an adventurous spirit. Today was her last day at the Labor Center, as she prepares to move abroad, hike, and explore the world. It's hard to say goodbye, but we are excited for her, and so grateful for the joy, skills, and commitment she shared with our program and participants. Thank you, Noël!

The Labor Center is thrilled to welcome our new labor educator, Samantha Groark. Sam brings exceptional qualifications a...
08/15/2026

The Labor Center is thrilled to welcome our new labor educator, Samantha Groark. Sam brings exceptional qualifications and experience to this role. As an attorney with Blake & Uhlig in Kansas City, she represented labor organizations, apprenticeship programs, and employee benefit funds. She has represented clients in collective bargaining, arbitration, federal courts, and federal agency procedures. In the past several years, Sam has served as Executive Director of the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council, led a grant project at the Labor Center, and volunteered on a number of nonprofit boards and commissions. She is already strengthening our curriculum, conducting great workshops, and mentoring law students in labor-related research. Please join us in welcoming Samantha Groark!

Last chance to register for the on-campus Stewards' School, August 27-28th! Register on our website today ✅
08/07/2026

Last chance to register for the on-campus Stewards' School, August 27-28th! Register on our website today ✅

We had a busy end of July at the Labor Center! We were honored to once again present a workshop during a UAW Region 4 le...
08/07/2026

We had a busy end of July at the Labor Center!

We were honored to once again present a workshop during a UAW Region 4 leadership conference. It's always a joy to teach at the UAW Region 4 Pat Greathouse Education Center, where generations of workers have come together for education and solidarity.

We also conducted several classes in Des Moines during the final days of July: a full-day workshop on stewards’ legal rights & responsibilities and combatting harassment & discrimination for APWU Local 44, and a two-day steward school for IBEW Local 55.

The participants in these classes brought incredible energy and ideas - it was a joy working with all of them!

You still have time to register for our on-campus Stewards' School, taking place from August 27 - 28th in Iowa City! Don...
07/23/2026

You still have time to register for our on-campus Stewards' School, taking place from August 27 - 28th in Iowa City! Don't wait to sign you or your members up. Spots are filling up quickly!

The numbers are in! From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026:- 1,950 people attended Labor Center classes- from 53 Iowa counti...
07/21/2026

The numbers are in! From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026:
- 1,950 people attended Labor Center classes
- from 53 Iowa counties
- and 39 US states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada!

We are honored to be a resource labor leaders turn to for quality education for their members. Check out our website for this year's on-campus programs at the University of Iowa, and don't hesitate to contact us to host a class. We regularly travel across Iowa and around the U.S.

It was a joy to teach at this leadership program with such an inspiring group of residents from across Iowa. Thank you t...
07/03/2026

It was a joy to teach at this leadership program with such an inspiring group of residents from across Iowa. Thank you to the Iowa Manufactured Home Residents Network and Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition for inviting us to be a part of it!

Today is the day! Join us this evening as we celebrate Paul Iversen and wish him a happy retirement! For over 15 years, ...
06/29/2026

Today is the day! Join us this evening as we celebrate Paul Iversen and wish him a happy retirement! For over 15 years, Paul has devoted himself to the UI Labor Center and our mission. We are honored and grateful for his commitment to the labor movement and contributions to the field of law, the University of Iowa, and education for working Iowans.

Please join us for Paul’s retirement party!

Address

University Of Iowa Research Park 2500 Crosspark Road
Coralville, IA
52241

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