The Labor Advisory Committee provides a critical link between educators, labor organizations, and students to achieve program quality and relevance. Our members represent a cross-section of labor organizations, workers, community partners, and worker rights activists. …
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Honor Frank Emspak as an epic advocate for workers
In Frank Emspak’s autobiography written several years ago, he said, “by the time I finished my undergraduate career at UW, I was probably their most expensive student.” He wasn’t kidding. Through his pioneering efforts as …
The Passing of a Troublemaker
A unique figure within a unique generation of activists, Frank Emspak (born June 21, 1943 and died June 14, 2024) spent his final days as he always lived: offering inspiration and strategic advice to those around him. …
Honoring Frank Emspak, emeritus faculty (June 21, 1943 — June 14, 2024)
Frank Emspak – activist, organizer, labor leader and media executive – died June 14, 2024 from acute myeloid leukemia.
Wisconsin judge to hear union lawsuit against collective bargaining restrictions
A law that drew massive protests and made Wisconsin the center of a national fight over union rights is back in court on Tuesday, facing a new challenge from teachers and public workers brought after the state’s …
Act 10 is back in court. Here are the stakes for Wisconsin unions
In a Dane County court hearing Tuesday, the state sought to dismiss a lawsuit from public employee unions challenging Act 10, which limits their power. Childers, the UW-Madison professor, noted that undoing Act 10 could …
Emeritus faculty Frank Emspak releases Bob Travis In His Own Words
In 1936, Bob Travis was the organizer of the 44‐day Sit Down Strike against General Motors, which resulted in recognition of the United Automobile Workers. In July 1973, Bob spoke with School for Workers faculty …
Faculty collaborate on U.S. Department of Agriculture $1.5 million grant to study K-12 school food service workforce
A team of researchers has received a $1.5 million cooperative award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine the state of school food service in the U.S. and explore strategies to create “a stable …
Federal rule banning noncompete agreements could give Wisconsinites more job mobility
A new federal rule could give Wisconsin workers more mobility in the labor market, but it faces legal challenges from business groups. Michael Childers, a labor education professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said noncompete …
Starbucks to bargain with a committee of 150 worker representatives
A Madison employee will be among delegates bargaining with Starbucks next week on behalf of workers at all 400 unionized U.S. stores. Dr. Michael Childers “thinks next week’s bargaining sounds promisingly similar to the process …