Tess Ewing

Labor Extension Coordinator

Labor Resource Center

W-4-144-05

617-287-7352

I have been a labor activist since the mid 1970's, when I was one of the organizers of the Boston School Bus Drivers Union, USWA Local 8751. The experience of bringing in the union –which took three separate strikes and two weeks in jail– and of seeing first hand how much an organized workforce can accomplish, inspired me to make the labor movement my career. For 13 years, I drove a school bus and served in various capacities for the union, including 2 terms as local president. After that, I took a job as Business Agent for the laundry workers union, LDCIU Local 66.

While working with unions, I also got involved in doing training and education for union members. I became active in WILD, the Women's Institute for Leadership Development. WILD is an organization whose mission is to give working women, and especially women of color, the skills to become activists and leaders in their unions. (The CPCS Labor Studies program was one of the founders of WILD back in the ‘80's). When UMass started the Labor Extension Program in 1995, I applied for and got the position of Coordinator on the Boston campus. I have been here ever since, trying to put into practice my philosophy of linking education with action to build a stronger labor movement.

 

Although my main work is to bring the university's resources to the community through the Labor Extension Program, I also do some teaching in CPCS and I work with students who are earning competencies through prior and/or independent learning in the areas of Training and Development, Organizing, and Labor Studies.

 

Outside of CPCS, I am Treasurer of the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) the professional association of labor educators. I am also Treasurer of GALLAN, the Gay and Lesbian Labor Activist Network, and a member of the Board of WILD.

 

I live in Cambridge , with my partner of 28 years, Louise Rice. Together, we have raised 2 sons: Jethro Rice, 33, who is currently living in Japan ; and Dan Rice, 31, who lives in New York with his wife Thulie and our first grandchild, Kali.