Spring Labour Institute, April 30, May 1 & 2

Academic Course (Pre-requisite: must sit on the component executive)
If you are a Component Executive member and have NOT attended the Academic course, and have NOT received an invite by email, please contact Lynda Morrice, Education Officer.

Advanced Campaign Course (Pre-requisite: Basic Campaigns or extensive issue or political based campaigns experience)
If you have NOT received an invitation by email, and want to attend this course, please contact Lynda Morrice, Education Officer

~ CUT OFF DATE FOR REGISTRATION IS MARCH 26TH ~

 Below is an overview of the ACADEMIC course at the upcoming Labour Institute:

Course Description for ACADEMIC stream at BCGEU Labour Institute

Day 1:  Labour History

You will gain an understanding on the birth and evolution of trade unionism in Canada and BC. The development of Craft and Industrial Unions and radical political action in the history of labour in Canada. You will learn about unions from the “Year of Revolt” in 1919, commencing with the Winnipeg General Strike through to the present and the new challenges and strategies around globalization and the labour movement.

Instructor John-Henry Harder of SFU, University of the Fraser Valley and Capilano College will lead the discussion, group work and interactive exercises that will ensure you remember what trade unionists have done to win the gains we have today.

Day 2:  Labour Economics

John Calvert, well known author and professor will de-mystify tax policy and tax cuts, lead discussion in privatization and free trade and the role of the public sector in the economy.

Economics 101 will give you a better understanding of  how this relates to labour and the importance of understanding what deregulation and privatization does to our economy and the importance of the preservation of public services

Day 3:  Public Policy and the Labour Movement

Ed Lavalle, Coordinator of the Labour Studies Department at Capilano University and long time union activist will lead interactive exercises to delve into the policy of our lives. You will also study international models of employment standards and other social policies.

The anatomy of the Canadian and BC models around social policy will include social housing, social income, child care, old age pensions equality issues, education and training and programs for persons with disabilities. The session ends with an assignment on organizing for better social wages, standards and representation by using instruments including legislation and collective bargaining.