U.S. Labor History (3)
CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Learn how labor is central to American history and how this knowledge can help to shape the future. Explore the tragic and triumphant struggle of workers for social and economic justice, from early craft unions to current issues of organizing and politics.

2 Collective Bargaining (3)
CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Labor's ability to bargain strong contracts is key to protecting your members. Learn the techniques and strategies to bargain effectively, including: costing out, offers and counter-offers, settlement techniques, and mobilizing members. Includes “mock bargaining.

3 Labor Relations Law (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Union leaders must understand the law and how it applies on a day-to-day basis in all areas of collective bargaining: contract enforcement, representation elections, strikes and organizing. A must for union officers, representation elections, strikes and organizing. A must for union officers, representatives, stewards, committee members and activists.

4 Labor in America (3)
CSU Lecture, 3 hours.

Overview of globalization and the changing U.S. workplace. The role of unions in creating and maintaining the American middle class. Labor's impact on wages, benefits and job security. Also covers immigrant workers, wage stagnation, social security, health care and retirement plans.

5 Grievance and Arbitration (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

A powerful tool to defend members, enforce the contract, and build the union. How to interview the grievant, investigate, write and present grievances on discipline and contract interpretation, and win at arbitration. Includes “mock” arbitration.

6 Labor Community Services (3)
RPT 2 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Members who need help - money troubles, family problems, substance abuse - often call their unions. Learn how to assist members in need with referrals for emergency assistance, public benefits, debt relief, unemployment, disability, lock outs or strikes.

7 Labor and Political Action (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Politics is more than elections. It is building union power and promoting a working families agenda. Learn campaign strategies to develop your union's political program by organizing members around issues that matter.

8 Labor in the Global Economy (3)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Learn how globalization impacts workers, their unions, and the economy. Addresses “outsourcing,” trade policies, immigration, corporate restructuring, and Labor's response.

9 Union Organizing Strategies (3)
CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Organizing skills are essential in all aspects of union activism and leadership. Learn techniques and develop skills to become a good organizer. How to build a “culture” and capacity for union organizing. Examine and analyze successful campaigns.

10 Workplace Gender and Race Issues (3)
CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Unions stand for tolerance and respect in the workplace. How to promote diversity and equal opportunity and overcome discrimination in the workplace.

11 Labor in the Public Sector (3)
RPT 2 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Learn about the laws and practices which govern city, county, state and federal employee unions, the role of politics, and how public sector unions can protect members and expand power.

12 Building Strong Unions (3)
CSU Lecture 3 hours

To win good contracts and organize new workers, unions must mobilize members. Skills training to build a dynamic union, covers: strategic decision making, public speaking and effective meetings, involving allies, fighting apathy, and developing leaders.

13 Union Leadership (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Basic leadership skills for building influence and advancing in your union. Includes public speaking and building confidence, parliamentary procedure and effective meetings, motivating others, and mobilizing members.

15 Health and Safety in the Workplace (3)
RPT 2 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

How union reps can prevent members from getting hurt or sick on the job, and what laws and agencies can help. How to identify unsafe or unhealthy conditions at the workplace, set up safety committees, and work with employers to solve these problems.

16 Leadership for Change (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

Lead and manage change in unions, including strategic planning, building organizational capacity and bargaining leverage. Team building - identify, motivate and train member leaders and staff.

20 Labor Law (3)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

What every worker needs to know about federal, state and local labor laws. Covers the Fair Labor Standards Act, minimum wage and hour laws, state labor codes and labor laws for public employee, retirement laws, and laws governing union elections and union member's rights.

21 The Working Class in Cinema (3)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 3 hours

An entertaining and provocative look at American Labor and the working class through the lens of Hollywood. See how popular culture dramatizes the struggle for workers rights. How the movies have shaped public perception and values.

102 Contract Negotiations Skills (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Basics for effective labor negotiations, including: costing out, offers and counter offers and mobilizing members. Includes “mock” bargaining.

103 Labor Law Update (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Federal and state laws covering workers and unions are always evolving. The region's top labor lawyers cover current issues and trends, and present information on recent changes in labor laws.

104 Current Issues for Labor (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

How the Labor Movement can grow and protect the middle class standard of living in an era of corporate restructuring and globalization. Examine new union strategies, restructured federations, and international labor solidarity.

105 Grievance Handling Skills (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Designed for union stewards and staff, a step-by-step approach to handling disciplinary grievances and union contract interpretation cases. How to investigate, evaluate, write, document and settle or win grievances. Includes expert guest speakers and hands-on exercises.

106 Labor and Disaster Relief (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Learn how to be a resource for members in times of disaster - fires, floods, earthquakes, threats of terrorism. How local and national disaster relief programs work and how unions can make referrals, fill in the gaps, and meet their members needs.

107 Political Action Skills (1)
CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Politics is critical to labor's success. Learn the ABCs of political action, such as Get Out The Vote (GOTV), phone banking, precinct walking, polling, and vote-by-mail campaigns.

108 Labor and Globalization (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Globalization affects everyone - your job, your union, our local economy. Explore how economic forces impact your future, and labor strategies to protect the middle class by fighting for fair trade and labor standards.

109 Union Building Strategies (1)
RPT 2 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Strong unions require active support and participation of members. Learn skills and techniques to build strong unions - strategic planning, leadership development, member mobilization and 1-on-1 organizing.

110 Workplace Diversity (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Explore the advantages and challenges of workplace diversity from the union point-of-view. How unions can build diversity in their leadership, and use diversity in organizing and bargaining campaigns.

112 Strategic Planning for Unions (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Unions need strategic planning to build a solid organizational base that will enable them to reach their goals. How successful unions structure staff, use time effectively and get the most out of meetings.

113 Union Leadership Skills (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Basic leadership skills for advancing in your union: public speaking and building confidence, parliamentary procedure, running effective meetings, communications, dealing with difficult people, and how to build influence in your union.

114 Workers' Legal Rights (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Know your rights at work. Basic legal rights that protect all workers such as meal breaks, overtime, anti-discrimination, family leave, disability benefits, health and safety regulations and more. Enforce your rights without a lawyer. This class is for anyone who works for a living.

115 Workplace Health and Safety (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Know the laws and regulations to help keep your members healthy and safe on the job. Covers: stress, understaffing, workload, chemical hazards and ergonomics. How to use CAL/OSHA to protect your members and how to organize and bargain around health and safety.

116 New Strategies for Labor (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Organizing and bargaining campaigns by a revitalized labor movement are winning gains for workers. Learn how unions are organizing workers and winning campaigns with strategies such as coalitions with clergy and community, corporate investigations and international solidarity.

118 Employee Benefit Plans (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Your retirement and health plans are in jeopardy. What's at stake for retirees, including workers covered by public, corporate and multi-employer plans. Explore current strategies to protect your union plans and learn how to maximize your own personal retirement.

119 Union Organizing CSU (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Nothing is tougher and more satisfying than union organizing. This hands-on class explores the world of the organizer, including 1-on-1 communication, committee building and leadership development. Examine the Labor Movement's most successful campaigns.

120 Union Issues for Women Workers (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Leadership and union building among women, workplace issues on sexism, racism, wage inequalities, workplace violence, sexual harassment, stereotyping, temporary work, and meeting family needs.

121 Labor Communications (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Communication techniques to reach members, media, and public officials with a well honed and clear message. Covers newsletters, effective meetings, member to member strategies, as well as web sites, e-blasts and other electronic media.

122 Framing Labor's Message (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Labor must rethink and reshape how it communicates. As the institution in America best able to reach across ideological boundaries, the Labor Movement must express that broad range of values which unite us. Apply this insight to organizing, bargaining and political action.

124 Combating Workplace Violence (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

An overview of violence in the workplace, including social causes, profiles of violent and homicidal individuals, legal issues, union considerations, and prevention programs.

125 Labor Arbitration (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Arbitration is a powerful union tool for resolving individual members' grievances and contract disputes. Overview of the Arbitration process, including preparing the case, selecting an arbitrator, settlement techniques, and mobilizing members around grievances.

126 Issues in Labor Arbitration (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

An overview of the discipline, discharge and contract interpretation issues, including “just cause,” absenteeism, insubordination, substance abuse, theft and dishonesty.

127 Workers' Compensation (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

How to prepare union reps, stewards, and leaders to refer their members who are hurt or become ill at work. Covers current workers comp laws which are continually changing and involve complicated legal and medical issues and procedures.

128 Sexual Harassment and Job Discrimination (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Learn the laws and how to combat sexual harassment and job discrimination, including the criteria for claims, court decisions, protective agencies, policies and practices for prevention, and the union's role in combating workplace discrimination.

129 Worker Participation Programs (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

This course examines worker participation programs such as team concept, quality circles, joint training programs, and other employee involvement plans, including their design, structure, and control, examples and prototypes, role of the worker, the union and the union representative.

130 Immigration and Labor (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Historical and current day study of how race, national origin, class, gender and other factors shape U.S. labor markets, citizenship and immigration policy. Students will learn how domestic and global forces have shaped this history. The class will assess and explore immigration and citizenship strategies.

132 Strategic Bargaining Techniques (1)
RPT 1 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Understanding how issues, trends, social and economic conditions impact collective bargaining. How to use research, strategies, and member involvement to negotiate good contracts in a tough environment.

134 California Workers' Rights (1)
RPT 3 CSU Lecture, 1 hour

Examines state and local laws focusing on basic wage and hour laws that every worker needs to know. Outlines how to build leverage and clout by applying that knowledge.

185 Directed Study - Labor Studies (1) RPT2 CSU
285 Directed Study - Labor Studies (2) CSU
385 Directed Study - Labor Studies (3) CSU

Conference 1 hour per unit

Allows students to pursue directed study in Labor Studies on a contract basis under the direction of a supervising instructor.

Credit Limit: A maximum of 3 units in Directed Study may be taken for credit

Cooperative Work Experience Education CSU

Labor Studies is approved for Cooperative Work Experience Education credit. See Cooperative Education courses for prerequisites, course description and credit limits. A maximum of 3 units of work-experience may be used to meet the Labor Studies Certificate requirement, and 6 units to meet the Labor Studies AA Degree requirement .

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