Union Leadership

The Class of 2011 of the New York State AFL-CIO/Cornell Union Leadership Institute began a year-long series of seminars this month.

Participants met for five days at the ILR Conference Center in Ithaca to begin the seminars, which combine study, dialogue, field work and networking.

In a program focused on "The American Labor Movement in 2010: Peril and Promise," students last week discussed issues such as immigration, the impact of the American tax structure on working Americans and racial discrimination.

The entering institute class of 35 will meet in October, January and March in New York City. In May, participants attend classes in Albany.

In July, they return to Ithaca for a final week before graduating from the 12-credit certificate program, which includes elective courses and individual projects.

Nineteen people who had started the certificate program in July 2009 graduated last week as part of institute’s activities.

Most of the labor union leaders at this year’s summer institute were from New York state. Others are from Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.