William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies

Massachusetts Uber and Lyft Drivers Form First Union for Ride-Share Workers The App Drivers Union said it was the first organization in the country to be formally certified to represent drivers for apps such as Uber and Lyft.

April was a jam-packed month! From hosting the annual Nebraska Works! Conference, to being invited to speak at the Lincoln Central Labor Union, AFL-CIO Al Bauer Dinner, to presenting Introduction to Organized Labor for apprentices at Plumbers Local Union #16 and IBEW Local 265, thank you for attending and inviting me to your events!

Meet David Dayen. David is a best-selling author and the executive editor of The American Prospect who focuses on economic injustice and corporate power. He frequently writes about labor issues, monopolies, financial regulation, and housing, particularly on how corporate policies affect daily life, such as his books Monopolized and Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud.

Mr. Dayen grew up in Philadelphia, where his father worked in the textile industry and his mother was a schoolteacher and union representative. He graduated with a degree in English from the University of Michigan, where he contributed to a humor magazine. In addition, David performed as a stand-up comic well into his thirties, learned video editing at NFL Films in college, and has appeared twice on Jeopardy!

The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies is proud to welcome David Dayen to share his thoughts on why the economy has not worked for working Americans for decades and what unions can do to build a pro-worker economy at the upcoming Nebraska Works! Conference on Friday, April 17 from 8am-12pm. Register today!

The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies is honored to welcome Mayor John Ewing, Jr., the City of Omaha’s 52nd mayor, as its Keynote Speaker at the upcoming Nebraska Works! Conference on Friday, April 17 from 8am-12pm. Register today!

What happens when a new generation rediscovers the power of a union?

The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies is proud to partner with Working Films for a powerful screening of Partners: How Starbucks Baristas Started a Labor Revolution, a 45-minute documentary following a group of Buffalo, New York baristas as they announce their intention to form a union-only to face an elaborate anti-union campaign from Starbucks.

Featuring on-the-ground footage from workers and organizers, Partners takes viewers to the front lines of this historic union drive that helped spark America’s Gen Z labor revival. This film and discussion are part of the program for the upcoming Nebraska Works! Conference on Friday, April 17 from 8am-12pm. Register today-a great way to introduce your apprentice classes to the labor movement!

Meet Jill Shudak. Jill is the newly elected Mayor of Council Bluffs, IA.

Mayor Shudak was born in Council Bluffs and has long-term family ties to the community, with her ancestors living in Council Bluffs for over 100 years. She was previously on the Council Bluffs Board of Education, and has also been a part of the New Visions Homeless Services planning committee for the yearly holiday event for the past four years.

The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies is proud to have Mayor Shudak share her story and what the labor movement has meant to her and how it shapes her governing philosophy to build a pro-worker economy at the upcoming Nebraska Works! Conference on Friday, April 17 from 8am-12pm. Register today!

A great turnout for Labor Night at Omaha Men's Basketball with union siblings/significant others/family members from Local 554, Plumbers Local Union #16, Nebraska Public Employees, Local 251, and a retiree from National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 5 to cheer on the Mavericks, who closed out the home portion of their schedule with a big win! Thank you to the UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service and all who attended.

Registration is open for the 2026 Nebraska Works! Conference sponsored by the William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies at UNO.

2026 will decide whether unions grow or are pushed back. Our rights, contracts, and power are on the line—join us on April 17 to stand with workers, organize, and fight.

Guest Speakers:

MAYOR JOHN EWING, JR.-CITY OF OMAHA

MAYOR JILL SHUDAK-CITY OF COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA

DAVID DAYEN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR-THE AMERICAN PROSPECT

RICHARD BENSINGER, WORKERS UNITED and FOUNDER OF AFL-CIO ORGANIZING INSTITUTE

NEBRASKA STATE AFL-CIO PRESIDENT-SECRETARY/TREASURER MIKE GAGE

Film Premiere:

The documentary PARTNERS: HOW STARBUCKS BARISTAS STARTED A LABOR REVOLUTION

$35 REGISTRATION FEE
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST