NLC Students…In Their Own Words: Jimmy Easter, USW

The Union’s Path to the Future Necessarily Includes Education

In preparation for 2009 negotiations, United Steelworkers Local 227 sent me to National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, to take the course, “Negotiating and Writing Contract Language.” It was the first time I had ever heard of a “labor college” or had any knowledge that a formal accredited education geared for organized labor was available. My father was a union employee at Phillips Petroleum from 1944 until 1985, walked a picket line during several strikes as a member of OCAW, and served at least some time as a representative for his group. We lived near the Houston ship channel where the oil industry was booming in the 1950s and 60s and thousands of workers crowded union halls in support of union jobs. At 44 years of age, I was hired into my first career union job at the same plant where my dad retired, signed up to be a union member immediately, and within a year began serving as an appointed joint safety committee chair. I have served our union ever since as an elected representative in one or more capacities through the mergers of OCAW with PACE and of PACE with the Steelworkers, and currently continue to serve as Secretary Treasurer.

Wedding Bells for NLC Alums

Tags

BMWED, Faculty, Hazmat Training, National Labor College

We are happy to announce that two members of the National Labor College (NLC) family recently tied the knot. On July 12, 2013, surrounded by their children and grandchildren, Brenda Cantrell and Rick Inclima were married at their home. They had a beautiful ceremony and even the rain cooperated. Brenda is an NLC alum, current adjunct professor, and former director of the HazMat program. Rick Inclima is also an NLC alum, Education Director for Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE), and one of the first peer trainers for the rail program. The lucky couple met because of the Rail Hazmat program. Brenda and Rick will be honeymooning in their cabin in the West Virginia woods.

Sheet Metal Workers Union Assistant to the General President Named NLC Alumni of the Year

Tags

bachelor's degree, Labor Studies, National Labor College, online learning, SMART-UNION, SMWIA

National Labor College’s Alumni Association has named Marc A. Norberg – who graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Studies – Alumni of the Year. Marc is the Assistant to the General President of SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union).

Among his other duties, Marc coordinates the International’s interface with renewable energy sources, green energy and combined heat and power organizations. Formerly, he was the President and Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and also served as a Labor Trustee on the SMWIA National Pension Fund. Marc and his wife Linda have two sons, both SMWIA members and third generation journeymen sheet metal workers.

The alumni of the year was chosen based on involvement with the alumni association and dedication to promoting NLC.

National Labor College Graduate Wins UALE Paper Award

Tags

IBEW, Labor Education, Labor Safety and Health, National Labor College, UALE

National Labor College (NLC) 2011 graduate Stephen Lockie (Labor Education and Labor Safety and Health) won the New Generation Award at the 2013 United Association for Labor Education (UALE) conference in Toronto, Canada in April 2013.

Lockie is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 570, Tucson, Arizona, and his paper was titled, “Organizing the Electrical Construction Industry of the 21st Century.”

“I was humbled to win the New Generation Award at the UALE conference in Toronto. All the entrants worked incredibly hard on their research projects and seeing two other NLC graduates presenting alongside me made me proud,” said Lockie.

NLC Graduate an Advocate for Worker Safety and Health

Tags

bachelor's degree, Health and Safety, IBEW, National Labor College, Workers Memorial Day

On April 28 – Workers Memorial Day – we pause to remember those workers who have been killed, injured, or made sick at work.  For NLC graduate Brian Wood, every day is Workers Memorial Day.  Brian works as an advocate for worker safety and health in his position as Labor Liaison at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Region VII, where he also serves as American Federation of Government Employees’ Local 1748 union steward.

Brian’s passion for workplace safety grew out of his job as a journeyman wireman and the work he did while serving on the Safety Committee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 725 for three years.  That work prompted him to finish his degree at National Labor College because he decided a career in worker safety and health was something he wanted to pursue full time.

Lifetime Learner Relies on National Labor College Education for Inspiration

Tags

alumni, master's degree, National Labor College, WTU

“I love to learn!” Not surprising words from a man who has dedicated his life to education.  Nathan Saunders is President of the Washington Teachers’ Union, which represents 4,000 active and 2,500 retired public school teachers.  He is responsible for contract negotiations, ensuring proper working conditions, and serves as the voice for public school teachers in DC.

He is also a proud supporter of National Labor College’s (NLC) labor-focused educational offerings. Saunders received his Master’s Degree in Legal and Ethical Studies with a concentration in negotiation and conflict management from the University of Baltimore through a partnership with NLC. Saunders has been involved with NLC since he graduated from the Harvard Trade Union program in 2008. 

Union Degree Helps Firefighter Blaze Ahead

Tags

bachelor's degree, Graduation, Health and Safety, IAFF, Labor Studies, National Labor College

One of the biggest difficulties that union members face is that people don’t understand who we really are, says Mark Fuller of Kansas City, MO. “People don’t realize that we’re their neighbors, we’re in the car behind them picking up our kids at the same schools, we buy groceries at the same place,” says Mark.

“It’s because we don’t tell our story enough. In fact we don’t tell it at all. But we can’t tell our story if we don’t know it ourselves.”

Still “Raising Hell” at 61 – One Graduate’s Journey

Tags

Commencement, graduate, Graduation, Labor Studies, National Labor College, online degree, SEIU

As the 61-year-old grandmother walked across the stage at commencement, a large contingent of family and friends jumped out of their seats, hollered and snapped pictures with their cameras and cell phones.

It was graduation day and Helen Foreman-Hines had finally achieved her lifelong dream of earning her bachelor’s degree in labor studies from National Labor College.

After years of being a single parent, devoting all her energy to her family, her work and her union brothers and sisters, Helen decided it was finally her chance to finish her degree.

Earn Credit for Prior Learning with NLC

Tags

adult learning, bachelor's degree, PLA, Prior Learning Assessment

“I have a lot of experience through the labor movement and was able to turn that knowledge and learning into credit,” said Helen Foreman-Hines, 61, the political action project director for SEIU 1199 – United Healthcare Workers East.

Helen earned 30 credits by documenting her learning through a portfolio process called the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

Through PLA, NLC students have the opportunity to earn college credit for learning acquired outside of a traditional college classroom.

Weekly Series: Last Chance for Fall Financial Aid

Tags

bachelor's degree, Financial Aid, IUEC, scholarships, Union Plus

Monday is the last day to submit your application for scholarships and financial aid. Be sure to reserve some time this weekend to finish them up and send them in.

That means that this is the last post in the Fulfill Your Dreams with NLC series in which we profile past scholarship winners.

Today we’ll meet Cameron Bateman of Kearns, UT, and the Elevator Constructors Union (IUEC) Local 38, who set lofty goals for himself and achieved them with a little help from the Union Plus NLC Scholarship program.