Are you angry that bankers get bailed out and workers get sold out? Have you been inspired by the protesters in the Midwest who are just saying no?

Labor Notes readers across the country are stirring up trouble and connecting with grassroots groups to think through big-picture responses to big-picture problems—positive action on attacks on public employees, jobs, contracts, health care, and the environment. Learn tactics, skills, and strategies you can use right away. Join with other activists to figure out how to build on the new wave of activism that's inspiring union members coast to coast.

For more information call 313-842-6262. Email schools [at] labornotes [dot] org

WHY TROUBLEMAKERS SCHOOLS? WHY NOW?

Labor Notes is holding a series of regional conferences this spring—Troublemakers Schools. Governors' attempts to solve their states' economic problems on the backs of public employees are generating a response not seen in decades, and making 2011 a crucial year. A big part of figuring out how to respond everywhere is getting folks together in the same room.

The schools will work on two levels. One, to understand this economic crisis—it’s not just “the business cycle,” and the money is there—and help activists think through big-picture responses to big-picture problems—positive, feasible action on jobs, contracts, organizing, health care, and the environment. Two, to learn tactics, skills, and strategies folks can use in their locals and workers centers right away: beating back concessions and employer attacks; defending immigrant members against raids; activating members on the shop floor and in the community.

Possible topics for plenaries and workshops:

BIG PICTURE

1) Understanding the public sector squeeze and attacks on public sector workers. Labor Notes Director Mark Brenner, who has a background in economics, has done many workshops on understanding the budget crises sweeping state and local governments around the country and how to respond.

2) Organizing new members

3) The environment and green jobs

4) Building coalitions with the (other) victims of the crisis—the unemployed; the already poor; the foreclosed upon; deindustrialized cities

5) Lessons from labor’s history

NUTS AND BOLTS

Contract campaigns/bargaining

Public sector contract campaigns/fighting budget cuts

Assertive grievance handling

Changing your union from within

Organizing and involving young workers/new members

Building a stewards program

Using media

Raids on immigrant workplaces/ rapid response/ fighting no-match letters

Unions and workers centers working together