Future of Work Symposium:
The Labor Movement's Role in Workforce Development
Presented
by the College of Public & Community Service and the
Labor Resource Center
April 26, 2006, 1-3 PM
UMass Boston, Campus Center, Ballroom
With Keynote Speaker:
Nancy Mills, Executive Director of AFL-CIO
Working for America Institute
- What role does workforce development play in maintaining and increasing good, family sustaining jobs in this country?
- What role should employers, unions, community groups and government play in increasing access to family-sustaining jobs?
- What are some of the specific public policy options that promote high road versus low road economic and workforce development?
Respondents:
Robert Haynes, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO
Enid Eckstein, Vice President Health Systems, 1199SEIU HealthCare Workers United East
Moderator:
Susan Moir, ScD, Director,
Labor Resource Center
A Celebration Event on the Occasion of the Inauguration of
Michael F. Collins, MD as the 7th Chancellor of University of Massachusetts
Boston.
Nancy Mills
Nancy Mills is Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, a non-profit advocacy, research, technical assistance and program delivery organization. Created in 1998 as the successor to the AFL-CIO Human Resources Development Institute, WAI has made significant progress in articulating a vision of a high road economy—an economy that competes in today’s global marketplace on the basis of innovation, quality and skill rather than on low wages and benefits. Ms. Mills brings 30 years of experience in the labor movement. A graduate of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Ms. Mills has written articles for the Boston Globe and the Journal of Labor Research. She has also taught trade unionists at Harvard University, the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, and in courses offered by Solidarnosc, the Polish federation of trade unions.
Robert Haynes
Robert J. Haynes served as secretary-treasurer of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO for 11 years before taking over the helm as president in 1998. His career in the labor movement began more than 30 years ago in 1968 when, as an 18-year old, he went to work as an ironworker. President Haynes has played a key role in many of labors successes during the past two decades. During his tenure, organized labor successfully defeated ballot questions on the prevailing wage law and state tax cuts; twice increased the state minimum wage, making it the highest in the nation; and has repeatedly elected pro-working family candidates. President Haynes dramatically increased the state federation’s role in the political, legislative, education, organizing and training fronts. He was the driving force behind the creation of the state federation’s Education and Training Department, which is charged with strengthening labors involvement in all facets of workforce development. He also expanded the annual scholarship program of the state AFL-CIO, which awards an estimated $650,000 in college scholarships to area high school students each year.
Enid Eckstein
Enid Eckstein has a long and active career of advocating for health care workers. She served on the staff of SEIU and the AFL-CIO in a variety of roles. For the last several years she has been the Vice President for Health Systems of 1199 SEIU United Health Care Workers East. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements for health care workers that include a variety of career advancement and job training opportunities. In the early 90’s she negotiated one of the first LPN to RN programs at Boston City Hospital. In 1996, she led the union negotiations that created Boston Medical Center. Most recently she successfully negotiated the 1199 Training and Education Fund, a multi-million dollar Taft-Hartley fund at several area hospitals. She has written numerous articles for Working USA, the Boston Globe and other publications on issues facing health care workers.
Susan Moir
Dr. Susan Moir has directed the Labor Resource Center (LRC) since 2004. After a long career as a labor activist, she directed health and safety research on Boston’s Big Dig for 12 years before coming to UMB. The LRC provides an integrated range of education and research services to advocate for economic and social justice for working families. In addition to the central mission of providing a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor Studies, the LRC conducts research and provides support and training to labor and community organizations. Addressing the concerns of policy makers, community leaders, and working people, the LRC’s research focuses on the future of work in Massachusetts and the creation of good jobs that support healthy families and communities.