School for Workers

School for Workers is the original university-based labor education program in the United States. Started in 1925 as one of the first operational components of the Wisconsin Idea, the School's faculty and staff have long brought teaching, research, and outreach to thousands of workers, unions and employers throughout Wisconsin, the nation and the world.

Labor Forward

A live stream interview series

School for Workers is excited to announce a new live stream interview series, the Labor Forward Forum. The forum is a free, online series held on the third Wednesday of the month from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Each month, a School for Workers faculty member will interview advocates of the labor/worker movement to highlight their important work, celebrate their progress, and learn from their unique experiences.

Pre-registration is required.

Next Labor Forward…

featuring AFGE leaders on union rights at the veterans administration

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

In May 2018, the former administration issued several executive orders restricting the ability of federal employee unions to function, including their ability to represent employees on work time, and the right to have a union office in the workplace – rights guaranteed in the Veterans’ Administration collective bargaining agreement. On our May 19 Labor Forward forum American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1732 President Amber Mack will describe how her union dealt with the restrictions, how those restrictions were ultimately rescinded by the new administration’s January 2021 executive order, and how their union and VA management have been working to develop a new relationship with union rights restored.

COVID-19 updates | Our work continues

New! On-demand institutes

School for Workers is excited to announce a new, accessible, and flexible learning opportunity — on-demand institutes.

What makes on-demand institutes different?

On-demand institutes…

Offer open, ongoing online registration.
Allow participants to access the course 24/7 online, for up to six months after registration.
Explore a series of unit topics through various readings, short videos, supportive documents, and quizzes.
Are supported by university faculty, who are available for support or questions via the online platform e-mailing system.

The first on-demand institute available is Essentials for Union Stewards. Registration is now open and tuition is only $99.

Click here to learn more about Essentials for Union Stewards.

Workers and COVID-19

Voices of Wisconsin Workers

A COMMUNITY ENGAGED STUDY OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING THE 2020 COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In the United States, COVID-19 has devastated the lives of essential workers, their families and their communities. While many in the U.S. can work from home during the pandemic, those who grow and prepare the country’s food, care for the sick, maintain the state’s infrastructure, and educate the nation’s children must leave home to do their jobs. These workers face risk of infection and illness each day on the job. Workers of color and Latinx workers face greater risks than their non-Latinx, white counterparts and suffer poorer health outcomes as a result. This report, prepared by the University of Wisconsin School for Workers (SFW) in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – Population Health Institute presents the concerns about workplace safety expressed by workers in several industries deemed essential. These workers play a vital role in the well-being of all Wisconsin residents and the economy and deserve to be kept safe and healthy and have their voices be heard.

Read the full Voices of Wisconsin Workers report here.