"Beyond the Split" labor forum at U of I (Urbana)

[kevsand]

Activists, Union Members, & Workers, Share Ideas & Experiences in…



Labor Workshop
In Memory of Stan Weir, Long-time Labor Activist & Educator



RE-ENERGIZING THE LABOR MOVEMENT
An exploration of the causes and implications of the recent split in the AFL-CIO, possible future courses of action within labor unions, and the possibilities for networking and alliances between workers and progressive social movements.
Adolph Reed Jr., Keynote Speaker
* Writer * Interim National Council of the Labor Party * Social Justice & Labor Activist *
Professor of Political Science * National Writers Union Member, UAW Local #1981 *

Panelists:
Jenny Barrett, Organizing Academic Professionals at U of I, IEA AAP Chair
Terry Davis, UE Internat’l Rep Organizing the Unorganized; Jobs With Justice
Toby Higbie, Former GEO-AFT activist, Currently Labor Educator UIUC
Brian Mitchell, United Auto Workers activist, Stan Weir trainee
Sean O’Torain, Irish Labor Party, Labor Activist, 1969 Derry Uprising in Ireland
Dave Rathke, Labor Organizer, IEA Activist, editorial board “In These Times”
Gene Vanderport, Former AFGE Political Organizer/Director of Organizing
And other labor activists …..

Where: Lower Level Meeting Room, Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations
504 E Armory, Champaign-- across the street from the University Armory
Free parking in the lot, corner of Chalmers & 6th St. enter on Chalmers,
Or in the lot on Daniels & 5th St. enter on 5th

When: 10:00 a.m. 3:00 pm
Saturday, October 22, 2005

Free Lunch

Sponsored by Institute of Labor & Industrial Relations, U of I History Department,
Living Wage Coalition, UIUC Chapter Independent Media Center, & Socialist Forum

BEYOND THE SPLIT AGENDA

10:05 -- 10:15: A welcome fromTobie Higbieanda few words about the historical context -- e.g., The last big split (the CIO) ushered in both acrimony and a lot of creating organizing and growth in the movement. Or from a different angle -- How do current conditions differ from what that generation of activists experienced?

10:15 -- 10:25: Memorial to Stan Weir--Gene Vanderport.Gene will introduce Adolph Reed.

10:25 -- 10:55: Adolph Reed, Jr, Keynote Speaker, hopefully with a little time for questions.

11:00 -- noon: The panel (5 panelists x 10 minutes each, plus intros, etc.)

Noon -- 12:45: Lunch with some of the Meridosia boilermakers strike video showing

12:45 -- 1:15: Q and A for speakers and others from the audience.

1:15 -- 2:00: The breakouts discussions-- four of them (with some flexibility for what emerges from the panel discussion): (1) Jobs with Justice and related issues; (2) Strike support (e.g., Meridosia, Champaign Teachers); (3) Gulf Coast class war; (4) Union Democracy and Unity (refers, among other things, to the feared raids by IEA of IFT). One person designated in each group (Socialist Forum people will spread out) to keep track of discussion and report back to the gathering.

2:00 -- 3:00: Reports back from the various breakout groups and discussion with the audience. There is optimism that some concrete plans can emerge here.

BEYOND THE SPLIT DIRECTIONS & PARKING

At Champaign, take the Neil St exit (the second street exit) South (right)
Take Neil St. South to Green St.
Turn East (left) on Green St.
Take Green St. to 5th or 6th St.

If you take 5th St. South (right), go to Daniel St.& park in the lot on the corner, enter from 5th St.
If you take 6th St. South (right), go to Chalmers St. & park in the lot on the corner, enter from Chalmers.
Both parking lots are free.

Beyond the Split is at the U of I Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, 504 E Armory Avenue, on the corner of Armory & 5th. It is one block south of Chalmers & two blocks south of Daniel St. Either way, you will walk about 2 blocks from parking to the institute.

[mopinko]

1. cool

funny, i was just thinking about that slogan. bread and roses, the other day. it would be nice to get more info on ongoing strikes. picket locations would be good, so that we could support them. not cross lines, take them some beer, whatever.

[Critters2]

2. Can't be there but...

It sounds great. I used to live in Champaign, and was a member of UNITE! Hope it goes well!

[kevsand]

3. If you were a member of UNITE

while you were living in Champaign, that would mean you worked for CCHCC or ICCI/PIFI/CSI. How long ago?

[Critters2]

4. Yep, CCHCC

I was "Advocacy and Referral Coordinator", which basically meant I ran the hotline, from 1995-2000. Hi, Kevin...it's Lisa

[kevsand]

5. Holy cow!

How ya been? And welcome to DU! :hi:

[Critters2]

6. I've been okay...

I'm living in Ottawa, now. I really miss Iowa, especially the politics. Caucuses are awesome! Every state should have 'em!! But once again, I had a job that wasn't paying much, so needed to move on. Ottawa's a good place--I live a block from the Fox River and three blocks from the Illinois, which are great birding sites, so I enjoy that.

I haven't been to C-U since I've been back, but hope to get there before long. Say "Hi!" to everyone in the office!

[Critters2]

7. Hey, Kevin

Was there a dinner this year? I don't think I got any info.