NLC's Bonnie Ladin Union Skills Classes in Full Swing

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)The National Labor College (NLC) wrapped up a successful first week of Bonnie Ladin Union Skills (BLUS) courses last week. The four courses – Organizing I; Arbitration Preparation and Presentation Level I; Contract Negotiations in the Private Sector; and  Quick Books Training for Secretary-Treasurers and Union Bookkeepers – were the first to be held at the new BLUS home, the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Linthicum Heights, MD. The 42 students from across the country and Singapore represented numerous unions, and included NLC and OPEIU’s Christopher Levy (at right), who said he enjoyed the student collaboration and new tools that were introduced. Highlights of the first week included a welcome by NLC Dean Daniel Katz, Ph.D., a tour of ship handling and bridge tug simulators, great food, and solidarity among new friends. There’s still time to take classes this year. Check out the schedule and register. - photo: Christopher Levy, OPEIU 2, goes over some of the strategies with his Organizing 1 class