Rutgers LEARN

08/18/2026

AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus William Lucy’s profound impact on the labor and civil rights movements is an instructive blueprint for today’s union organizers, according to historians who…

08/14/2026

Greetings, LEARN community,

Welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of Learning Together, the official newsletter of the Labor Education Action Research Network:https://smlr.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/Documents/LEARN/LEARN_Newsletter_Summer2026.pdf

In this edition, you will find a recap of some of our programs this past spring, including some of our custom trainings and new programs. You’ll also find important information about our upcoming classes and public programming for the Fall.

The theme for this summer’s newsletter is based upon the recent Tony Mazzocchi Centennial Conference and Archive launch we organized here at the Labor Education Center this past June. Mazzocchi was a visionary labor leader in our local area who fought tirelessly for safe workplaces, good jobs, and a fair economy for all. He pioneered the concept of Just Transition and is responsible for Nixon’s passage of the legislation that created OSHA. In the feature piece, written by SMLR professor and LEARN instructor Rebecca Givan, you will learn a lot about Mazzocchi. Then, hopefully you’ll consider visiting our archive online or in person as it comes to life this fall to learn even more.

For this coming year, we are excited to do a second run of our new Advanced Collective Bargaining Certificate (ACBC) this December. After a very successful pilot run of this three-day in-person program last November, the demand has been high to provide this unique training opportunity again exclusively for labor leaders and staff. We are also launching a new online certificate program for labor relations professionals that focuses on practical skills this fall. The Labor Relations in Practice Certificate (LRIP) will begin with the first class on September 18th and will run one class per month in place of the usual Labor and Employment Law Certificate this year.

As you enjoy the final weeks of summer, we hope that you will take some time to review what we have going on here at the Labor Ed Center and to consider signing up for some classes or spreading the word around to colleagues and friends who might benefit from our unique and practical programs. Without you, there is no LEARN! Thanks again for all your support each year.

In solidarity,
Todd

08/10/2026

Fundamentals of Collective Bargaining with Rebecca Givan on September 18. This online course can fulfill the requirement for our Advanced Collective Bargaining Course offer in December.

https://smlr.rutgers.edu/continuing-education/labor-education-action-research-network-learn/courses-and-certificate-5

08/09/2026

The Public Sector Labor Relations courses begin on September 25 and run one course per month. All courses are via zoom with Public Sector attorneys and Rutgers faculty.
https://smlr.rutgers.edu/continuing-education/labor-education-action-research-network-learn/courses-and-certificate-3

08/08/2026

08/07/2026

The first course in this new certificate begins on September 18th. The Inclusive Workplace with Akhila Naik.
Check out all the courses in Labor Relations in Practice

07/31/2026

The bread-and-butter of labor and employment relations is the collective bargaining system and its associated dispute and conflict resolution mechanisms. The six courses in this certificate program provide a comprehensive overview to all that union and labor relations professionals need to know, in either the private or the public sector, to successfully negotiate and enforce collective agreements. Creative and cutting-edge methods of conflict resolution are covered as well.

Registration: https://smlr.rutgers.edu/continuing-education/labor-education-action-research-network-learn/courses-and-certificate-4

The registration fee per class is $300 . Being a remote program, the topics covered here will be of interest to labor relations professionals across NJ as well as those from other states. Pre-registration and payment are required to guarantee seats. Bulk rates are available. For online registration, we accept credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) and e-checks. If you cannot use this form of payment, please call 848-932-9504.

07/27/2026

NEW ONLINE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM !

Labor Relations In Practice

Fall 2026- Spring 2027 Schedule

Rutgers LEARN is excited to launch our new online certificate program focused on practical skills for labor relations professionals on both the labor and management/HR side of the table. See course schedule below and visit our website to learn more about the classes and register today!

https://smlr.rutgers.edu/continuing-education/labor-education-action-research-network-learn/courses-and-certificate-1

07/23/2026

New Union Leadership Academy (ULA) class enrolling for the fall. Just $100 - get in while you can and build the power you need to win!

In It To Win It – Building Strong Contract Campaigns�
Dates: September 15- October 20, 2026| (Tuesdays)
�Time: 5:30-8:30pm EST

Click here to register: https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=97911

Instructors: Djar Horn & Special Guests
Format: Remote (via Zoom) Online Class
Union members, Union representatives and elected officers have an important role to play in developing and implementing contract campaigns that win demands for workers. Whether you are new to your role or you have been engaged in contract fights for years, we invite you to learn from experienced leaders in our Labor Movement. This class will introduce students to practices found in successful contract campaigns. Guest speakers will focus on how they built power and won demands using various strategies including Direct Action, creating demands through workers’ stories and political pressure. At the end of the 6-week course, students will have produced a contract campaign plan. The class will be a mixture of presentation, discussion and small group work.

Contributes toward completion of the Rutgers LEARN - Union Leadership Academy (ULA) certificate.

ULA classes are designed by union members and for union members and worker organizations - join the academy today to become the leader you want to be tomorrow!

07/17/2026

Rosemarie Cipparulo Presente! She will be missed.