Managing with Labor's Values for Worker Center

This past February, Labor Leadership Initiatives proudly launched its inaugural Managing with Labor’s Values for Worker Centers training. Held February 24–25, 2025, at the ILR NYC Conference Center, the two-day program brought together leaders from across the country for a deep dive into personnel management, leadership development, and organizational culture grounded in labor movement values.

Four worker centers were represented among the attendees: Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) and Pilipino Worker Center from Los Angeles, Worker’s Justice Project from Brooklyn, and Connecticut Worker Center from Bridgeport. The group included a dynamic mix of roles—executive directors, program directors, organizers, and worker leader currently leading a campaign—bringing a range of experience and perspectives into the room.

Led by instructor Natalia Navas, Ph.D., the training focused on labor-based approaches to management, emphasizing adaptive leadership. Over the course of two days, the value of peer learning was clear. Organizations in earlier stages of development or with newer staff gained valuable insights by hearing directly from more established leaders. Meanwhile, more experienced participants benefited from the fresh perspectives and energy brought by those who were newer to the field. The two-day training concluded with a restorative healing and organizing session led by Arianna Schindle—a grounding close that participants deeply appreciated, especially after the intensity of the earlier learning modules.

This inaugural gathering affirmed the need for thoughtful, values-based management training tailored to the unique context of worker centers. We’re excited to build on this foundation—deepening the content, refining the format, and creating space for even more open and honest dialogue among our movement’s leaders.

We’re deeply grateful to all who participated, showed up with openness, and contributed to a powerful start.