JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE THIS WEEKEND... USE #LABORNOTES 8ľ DQĝ ĝĝĝĝĝĝ>DZU ľOQ)8ĝøĖúĀĝôòóúĝþĝ &) ľ!D ORGANIZING IN OPEN-SHOP AMERICA Welcome to the 2018 Labor Notes Conference Just as members were bracing for a kick to the jugular troublemaking wing is growing, if this conference is a from the Supreme Court, meant to decimate public gauge. employee unionism, some of those same public em- ployees, in West Virginia, showed us all how to dodge This weekend, folks will absorb both 101s and ad- the blow. vanced classes on what works and what doesn’t. Here are some opportunities to look out for: It’s that kind of spirit—and strategic sense—that’s brought 2,500 of you to Chicago this year. Introduce yourself to an international guest. Workers from abroad are looking for their U.S. counterparts. Sis- With what we’ve gone through in the last two years, ters and brothers from Japan, Mexico, Colombia, Nige- the temptation is there to huddle in a corner and cry in ria, Poland, Honduras, the U.K., Norway, and a dozen our beer. But Labor Notes Conferences are where we other countries will inspire you. See the complete list of find both the strategies and the inspiration to come out international guests on page 43, note the many work- swinging instead. We’re proud to host teachers from shops where they’ll speak, and come to the reception at West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Kentucky 9 p.m. Friday in the Upstairs Foyer. who are this season’s heroes— Choose a track. Immerse and to provide the incubator for yourself in a theme such as many more such struggles in Bargaining, Global Justice, the near future. or Shop Floor. See the tracks After all, the last two years on page 15. The Educators have actually seen some pretty track, for teachers, includes impressive fights and wins. At everything from Beating Back Verizon, 39,000 workers struck Bullying Principals to Black for 49 days and showed cor- Lives Matter in Schools. The porate giants can be beat. The Organizing in Open-Shop scrappy non-majority union of America track examines how campus workers in Tennessee unions can survive and thrive Michigan Nurses Association defeated their billionaire gov- in “right-to-work” states, and ernor’s privatization plan, and in the public sector even after postal workers made their employer stop contracting the Supreme Court does its worst in Janus v. AFSCME. out to Staples. Celebrate the movement for union democracy. Team- Self-organized Teamster retirees stopped their pension sters for a Democratic Union is holding a special event fund from cutting benefits by 60 percent, and Teamster to help transform the Teamsters Union and recognize reformers came within an ace of winning election to Ken Paff’s 45 years of organizing. Join them Friday at the union’s top offices. 9 p.m. in Rosemont. Improve your organizing smarts. Our book Secrets Union member Colin Kaepernick launched 2017’s of a Successful Organizer lays it all out for you in 47 highest-profile workplace action and ignited a national easy lessons, like “Apathy Isn’t Real” and “It’s Not the debate about Black Lives Matter. Loudest Person.” Get it for just $15. Works best when In the electoral realm, Massachusetts teachers con- read in a group. vinced voters to nix an increase in charter schools. Take stock of our setbacks. Hear unionists from Nis- Missouri unionists blocked a right-to-work law from san and Volkswagen, and from around the South, hash going into effect by collecting 310,567 signatures. it out. Medicare for All is gaining steam, as mainstream Democrats sign on (for now). Pick up some swag. The Troublemakers Union has many colors of T-shirts and hoodies, as well as hats, Veterans of all these struggles (except football) are stickers, pint glasses, and magnets. We take credit cards. here this weekend. Ask them how they did it. These are only a few of the opportunities this weekend This Labor Notes Conference will be the largest yet, to learn, share, and recharge. Flip through these pages with at least 2,500 people registered from 25 countries. and get ready! At the same time that labor as a whole is slipping, the WELCOME 1 Conference OVERVIEW Registration R-E-S-P-E-C-T After you register, please wear your name tag Labor Notes wants to provide a conference experience throughout the conference. It’s your pass for that is as safe as possible for all participants. We expect admittance into main sessions, workshops, meetings, participants to treat one another with respect and we and the Saturday evening banquet. don’t tolerate harassment (sexual or otherwise). Treat each other with respect if you don’t want to be asked Meals to leave, and speak to a conference staffer if you are The Saturday evening banquet is included in the being harassed or see someone else being harassed. registration fee. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries (For problems in your local or organization, see page will be available on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 39 for a workshop on “Responding to Sexual Harass- 7:30-9 a.m., in the Grand Ballroom. ment in the Workplace and in Your Union.”) Cash meals will be available at Friday dinner and all lunchtimes in the entry-level foyer, near the elevators. Workshop Chairs Workshop chairs will receive a packet with instructions See the map at the back of this book for some nearby and other materials. Please read these carefully, and options. return relevant materials to the registration table after Conference Marshals your workshop. Looking for a workshop room but can’t seem to find it? Confused about when the shuttles are coming? Labor Notes Conference Staff We’re glad to have you with us and are here to Look for the volunteers in the brightly colored vests help. We’re the ones with yellow name tags. We are to get the help you need—or stop by the conference Alexandra Bradbury, Chris Brooks, Meghan Brophy, registration desk and someone will be glad to help you. Ellen David Friedman, Dan DiMaggio, Jonah Interpretation Furman, Adrian Montgomery, Sonia Singh, Jane We’re pleased to offer simultaneous translation into Slaughter, Jim West, and Samantha Winslow. Thanks Spanish for all the main sessions and some workshops for coming! and meetings. When you see participants wearing headsets, please be considerate about surrounding Personal & Family Needs noise levels. When you’re speaking, please try to talk The Lactation Station (Boardroom) is a room for slowly so the interpreters can keep up. anyone who needs to breastfeed a child or pump milk during the conference. Troublemakers Gear & Literature The Family Room (McCarran) is a quiet space to go Visit the Labor Notes literature table across from if you or your kids need a break from all the hullaba- registration and take home books, T-shirts, hoodies, loo. This room is not staffed. If you’ve signed up for hats, pint glasses, magnets, and stickers. Items can be childcare during the conference, please check in at the shipped if you prefer. You can also subscribe to Labor registration table. Notes, renew your subscription, or place orders for monthly bundles. And visit other literature and vendor Those who are in 12-step or other recovery programs tables outside the Grand Ballroom. are invited to connect at a Recovery Meeting on Sat- urday or Sunday at 8 a.m. in the O’Hare A room. Throughout this book, organizations are listed for identification purposes only. 2 CONFERENCE OVERVIEW Friday, April 6 Agenda 10:00am Registration Opens Concourse A Pre-Conference Meeting 9:00am-6:00pm Railroad Workers United Meeting......................................................... Paris 1:00 – 2:45pm Workshops A (see page 18) An Organizing Approach to Health & Safety Labor 101: What’s A Union Anyway? Assertive Grievance Handling Organizing Never Stops Bargaining: Costing the Contract Reversing Runaway Inequality, Part 1 Concerted Activity, Part 1 (S) Secrets of a Successful Organizer: Dealing with Difficult Supervisors Beating Apathy Defending Your Pension How to March on the Boss (S) 3:00 – 4:45pm Workshops B (see page 19) Ask an Editor Race and Labor: Let’s Talk about It Assertive Grievance Handling Roots of the Public Sector Budget Crisis Bargaining on Your Feet Reversing Runaway Inequality, Part 2 Bargaining: Costing Tutorial Secrets of a Successful Organizer: Choosing an Organizing Database Assembling Your Dream Team Concerted Activity, Part 2 (S) Thinking Big about Ending Sexual Fighting Overpolicing Violence in the Workplace (S) Just Cause What is Labor Notes? Preparing for Janus and ‘Right to Work’ 5:00 – 6:30pm Workshops C (see page 21) Asian Unions vs. Militarism Postal Workers Meeting Engaging Members on Race, Inequality, Stories from the West Virginia and the Big Picture Teacher Strike (S) FILM: At the River I Stand Food Workers Organize for May Day Organizing Industrially in the Tech Industry and Beyond (S) 7:30 – 9:00pm Main Session (S) .......................... Grand Ballroom Al Russo, Communications Workers 1101 Michael Avant, AFSCME 3299 Greetings from Rev. William Barber, Poor People’s Campaign (video) Roz Pelles, Poor People’s Campaign West Virginia teachers Balbina Ortiz and Teresa Acevedo, ARISE Chicago Chair: Samantha Winslow, Labor Notes 9:00pm International Guests Reception .................................................. Upstairs Foyer 9:00pm Railroad Workers United Reception................................................. John Wayne 9:00pm Celebration of Ken Paff & Teamsters for a Democratic Union ....................... Rosemont C & D LANGUAGE KEY (S) Spanish/English interpretation AGENDA 3 Saturday, April 7 Agenda