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Overview

As Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, our institutional experience, world-class faculty, and deep relationships with labor organizations give us a unique and comprehensive understanding of unions and labor.

Our training for union leadership draws on a wide range of research disciplines and organizational practices to equip organizers to lead with labor's values, think strategically, and build collective-bargaining skills.

Upcoming Courses

How to Form a Union in Your Workplace: A Course and Toolkit for Every American Worker

Are you thinking of unionizing your workplace and would like to know how?


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    Dec 5 - 12, 2023
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    Live Online
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    $30

Register for How to Form a Union in Your Workplace: A Course and Toolkit for Every American Worker

Register for How to Form a Union in Your Workplace: A Course and Toolkit for Every American Worker

Labor and Film

Part of the Online Labor Studies Program this course examines the history of unions in the US through the use of film. Students will explore the various social issues raised by each film. Each week we will watch a film, analyze it, and discuss our reactions.


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    Jan 22 - May 7, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $625

Register for Labor and Film

Register for Labor and Film

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Unions

This course considers implications of expanded membership diversity and expectations of just treatment for organizational fairness and inclusion – i.e. diversity, equity and inclusion in unions. Emphasis will be placed on developing knowledge, awareness and skills and facilitate communication around difficult issues of race and other dimensions of difference.
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    Jan 22 - May 7, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $625

Register for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Unions

Register for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Unions

Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace (online)

This tools-building workshop emphasizes the rights of stewards/committee persons in resolving disputes in the workplace. Participants will learn how to protect the grievance process, the equality principle, and how to simplify grievance writing. This online workshop is part of the four-course Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program.


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    Mar 4 - 24, 2024
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    $199

Register for Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace (online)

Register for Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace (online)

Negotiation Skills (online)

This introductory-level workshop is designed to develop the skills of union negotiators who do not have extensive experience in advancing a collective bargaining strategy. This online workshop is part of the four-course Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program, participants do not have to be online at a specific time.


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    Apr 1 - 21, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $199

Register for Negotiation Skills (online)

Register for Negotiation Skills (online)

Costing Out a Contract (online)

This is a practical, how-to-workshop to give union negotiators and bargaining committee members the skills they need to prepare for contract negotiations. This online workshop is part of the four-course Labor Leadership Skills Certificate and participants do not have to be online at a specific time.


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    May 1 - 21, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $199

Register for Costing Out a Contract (online)

Register for Costing Out a Contract (online)

Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace

This workshop emphasizes the rights of stewards/committee persons in resolving disputes in the workplace. The right to information, the duty of fair representation, and member’s right to representation will be covered. This one day workshop is part of the four-day Labor Leadership Skills Bootcamp.


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    May 7, 2024
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    In-Person
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    $199
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    Buffalo, NY


Register for Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace

Register for Steward Training: Problem-Solving in the Workplace

Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program - Boot Camp


Obtain your Basic Labor Leadership Skills Certificate with this intensive virtual boot camp that provides the specific skills essential to success in your organization. Four full exhilarating days of interactive and immersive classroom training topics including stewards, basic negotiations, costing out a contract, and effective communication.


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    May 7 - 10, 2024
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    In-Person
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    $597
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    Buffalo, NY


Register for Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program - Boot Camp

Register for Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program - Boot Camp

Negotiation Skills

This introductory-level workshop is designed to develop the skills of union negotiators who do not have extensive experience in advancing a collective bargaining strategy and in conducting face-to-face negotiations at the bargaining table. This one day workshop is part of the four-day Labor Leadership Skills Bootcamp.


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    May 8, 2024
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    In-Person
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    $199
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    Buffalo, NY


Register for Negotiation Skills

Register for Negotiation Skills

Costing Out a Contract

This is a practical, how-to-workshop to give union negotiators and bargaining committee members the skills they need to prepare for contract negotiations, including illustrating how to calculate the projected costs of an agreement. This one day workshop is part of the four-day Labor Leadership Skills Bootcamp.


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    May 9, 2024
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    In-Person
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    $199
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    Buffalo, NY


Register for Costing Out a Contract

Register for Costing Out a Contract

Effective Communication

For anyone who wants to improve oral presentation skills in a supportive environment. Overcome reluctance to speak in public, gain tools to organize your thoughts for a more effective/powerful presentation. This one day workshop is part of the four-day Labor Leadership Skills Bootcamp.


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    May 10, 2024
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    In-Person
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    $199
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    Buffalo, NY


Register for Effective Communication

Register for Effective Communication

Leadership in Unions

Part of the Online Labor Studies Program this for-credit class prepares participants for assuming responsibilities in their organization by developing the skills and abilities required of union leaders. Each participant will prepare a plan for improving how their local union functions.


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    May 28 - Jul 30, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $625

Register for Leadership in Unions

Register for Leadership in Unions

Managing Conflict

This program allows busy union activists to take college credit courses regardless of location or work schedules. An introduction to dispute resolution theory and practice, this course examines the nature and sources of conflict and the role of negotiations, mediation, arbitration and fact-finding in the resolution of disputes.


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    May 28 - Jul 30, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $625

Register for Managing Conflict

Register for Managing Conflict

Effective Communication (online)

For anyone who wants to improve oral presentation skills and overcome reluctance to speak in public and gain tools for more effective presentations. This online workshop is part of the four-course Labor Leadership Skills Certificate Program and participants do not have to be online at a specific time.


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    Jun 3 - 23, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $199

Register for Effective Communication (online)

Register for Effective Communication (online)

Contract Administration

The contract lies at the center of day-to-day union practice. How can union leaders and rank and file members ensure that the contract is honored and not circumvented? Students in this online for-credit course will learn how to resolve problems that are contract-based by effectively utilizing grievance procedures.


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    Aug 26 - Dec 21, 2024
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    $625

Register for Contract Administration

Register for Contract Administration

Private Sector Labor Law

Part of the Online Labor Studies Program this course surveys the major areas of the law as it applies to workers and unions in the private sector. Students will concentrate on major provisions of the NLRB, examining how NLRB and Federal Courts have interpreted the national labor laws.


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    Aug 26 - Dec 21, 2024
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    Live Online
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    $625

Register for Private Sector Labor Law

Register for Private Sector Labor Law

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