These certificate programs are designed primarily for unions or those interested in learning more about unions. Labor Leadership Skills is a great place to start. The emphasis is on building skills and practicing the tools needed by new labor leaders, stewards, and bargaining team members.
Labor Leadership Skills Certificate
Available either in-person (4 days) or asynchronous online (three weeks per class).
The Buffalo Boot Camp (LB112, LB114, LB116 and LB118) is offered twice a year in the Cornell in Buffalo, NY offices, (or in your local union hall by arrangement).
The Labor Leadership Skills online certificate offers the same four classes from the Buffalo Bootcamp completed asynchronously online over three weeks.
Optional zooms allow role plays and interactions with participants.
The four classes are:
LB112 Steward Training and Problem-Solving
LB114 Negotiation Skills
LB116 Costing Out a Contract
LB118 Effective Communications
Labor Studies Certificate classes are designed for more in-depth courses and has been a pathway for advancement in the union for nearly 50 years. Classes are online for 10 weeks with optional weekly zooms. Labor Studies classes frequently include a textbook, writing assignments and in-depth discussions lead by faculty and labor advocates with years of experience. Three required subjects (labor law, collective bargaining, labor history) and three elective classes with many options available.
These ten-week online classes provide ample opportunities for learning from classmates and instructors. The core requirements build a foundation for understanding the law (public or private sector options), collective bargaining (introduction, advanced or contract administration) and labor history (or labor and film).
Electives allow participants to customize the certificate classes to meet their interests and needs. Electives include topics such as communications, labor economics, organizing, conflict resolution and a wide range of subjects that focus on the labor movement.