March 26, 2009

Dear Friend of Labor:

These are challenging times for working families. We all know someone who has experienced the loss of a job, home or health care, falling wages, or increasing income inequality. At the Labor Resource Center, this is also a time for hope. By working with unions, worker centers and community organizations we are forging a new agenda for social and economic justice.

With our strong and committed Advisory Board, the Labor Resource Center has developed a strategic plan to strengthen our contributions to the Massachusetts labor movement.  Our recent successes include:

• Groundbreaking studies on union apprenticeship programs and job qualityin the casino industry;
• Collaboration with international delegations from Iraq and Liberia; and
• New partnerships with civic and community organizations to promote worker centered policies for workforce training and development.

Our accomplishments demonstrate the LRC’s capacity to increase its impact by:

• Creating professional development programs where new and established union leaders learn the skills to meet the challenges of the future.
• Expanding our On-Line Research Center (OLRC) to meet the needs of more unions and community organizations.
• Developing programs in economic literacy to help union leaders and members understand the current economic crisis and formulate strategic responses.  
• Educating elected officials and other policy makers on unions and workers’ issues.

Your individual gift of $100 or more, or organizational gift of $1000 or more; given today will make these plans a reality. With your participation we can rebuild the power of labor and the voice of workers in Massachusetts.   

In solidarity,

Susan Moir, ScD                          Karen Courtney

Director                                        LRC Advisory Board Chair