Labor Leadership Programs Updates
The Worker Institute’s Labor Leadership Program welcomed the 2024-2025 cohort of The New York State-AFL-CIO/Cornell University’s Union Labor Institute
In July 2024, The Worker Institute’s Labor Leadership Program proudly welcomed the 2024-2025 New York State-AFL-CIO/Cornell University’s Union Labor Institute cohort. This year's cohort consists of 30 emerging leaders from the NY State Labor movement, representing various sectors within labor unions and labor justice organizations. The participants come from diverse industries, including education, labor, construction, nail salons, administration, retail, nursing, and medical. The program commenced with a one-week retreat at Cornell University’s Ithaca Campus and will continue throughout the 2024-2025 academic year at different host unions and organizations in New York State, including Albany, Buffalo and Long Island.
The Worker Institute’s Graduation of the 10th Cohort of The National Labor Leadership (NLLI)
On June 14, 2024, the graduation of the 10th class of the National Labor Leadership Initiative program marked a significant milestone for the Worker Institute. What started as an experiment in leadership training has evolved into a premier and transformative labor leadership program for union leaders in the United States and Canada. Moreover, the program is crucial in helping union leadership address some of the most significant challenges in recent American history.
By the time the class graduated, they had deepened their relationships with each other, explored the complexities of leadership in the current climate, and developed new strategies for success. The graduation ceremony took place at IBEW Local 3 in Cutchogue, N.Y., at the Long Island Education Center. The event included a week-long retreat where participants reflected on what growth meant in today's labor movement. They also discussed how to communicate with members about leading through periods of intense divisiveness and how to build relationships across the movement between unions and non-unionized workforces. This cohort brought together leaders from various unions and organizations across different sectors, including trade, education, service industry, climate justice, and healthcare.
The Worker Institute’s Labor Leadership Program Graduation of the 2023-2024 Co-Hort of The New York State-AFL-CIO/Cornell University’s Union Labor Institute
On June 6, 2024, the New York State-AFL-CIO/Cornell University’s Union Labor Institute proudly celebrated the graduation of its 2023-2024 cohort at The Cornell Club in New York City. This event marked the culmination of a year-long leadership program emphasizing personal mastery, organizational leadership, and movement building. The graduating class, representing over 25 unions and worker justice organizations across New York State, gathered to celebrate their achievements.
The ceremony included speeches from co-class presidents and labor leaders: Xiomara Loarte, Community Outreach Director of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO (NYCCLC), and Will Rojas Organizing Coordinator, SEIU 32BJ. The event also featured speeches by Vinny Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO (NYCCLC), ULI Alumna Leah Rambo, Executive Director, Nontraditional Employment for Women and ILR Professor of Labor and Employment Law, Risa Lieberwitz, who contributed to the celebration of the graduates' hard work and dedication.
