IATSE-2nd2018_web

EMPOWERING MEMBERS THROUGH
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
When Matthew Loeb became IATSE International President in 2008, he made education and training a top priority. He
believed an informed, empowered membership was the key to greater union power and sought to turn this ideal into
action.
This new commitment embraced training officers and
staff to be more effective advocates, strengthening craft-based
skills training, educating the next generation of IATSE activists
and leaders, and opening doors of opportunity to lifelong
learning and higher education for members and their families.
It also included unprecedented investments in workplace
safety.
THE LABOR EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (LEAP)
In 2009, IATSE launched the Labor Education Assistance
Program (LEAP) to pay tuition for labor studies courses taken
by local union officers. These courses offer IATSE leaders the opportunity
to assess their own Locals’ situations, educate themselves,
enable members to participate more effectively in the life
of the union, and reach out and organize new workplaces. One
of LEAP’s primary objectives is to help local leaders hone their
skills, and translate them into plans for growth and renewal that
make sense for each Local in its own jurisdiction. More than
$300,000 has been awarded to local union officers, officials,
trustees, and executive board members to attend workshops and
courses, studying such topics as collective bargaining, labor law,
and organizing. Many local leaders also take advantage of online
learning classes, which allow freelance workers with unconventional
schedules to study on their own time.
STAFF TRAINING
By 2010, as LEAP continued to expand, President Loeb,
IATSE officers and representatives led by example, attending
training courses at the National Labor College, focusing on internal
and external organizing, leadership skills and communication,
epitomizing the importance of leadership education. It
has become an annual practice for the General Executive Board
and all International Representatives and key staff to participate
in a special education session every year. At these sessions, staff
members have opportunities to update their skills and engage
in in-person department planning sessions. An IATSE culture of
continuous education starts at the top, and President Loeb and
the Board demonstrate that truth by annually participating in
this training.
Also since 2010, education sessions on a variety of timely
topics have been conducted for all local leaders at every District
Convention and regularly as part of every General Executive
Board meeting. All local union representatives and IATSE representatives,
Vice Presidents, and staff are always encouraged to
attend these important sessions.
IATSE ROAD SHOW
To educate all IATSE members about labor history and
why unions are important, the IATSE provides “The IATSE
Road Show: Why Unions Still Matter,” which was developed by
Diane Thomas-Holladay of the University of Arkansas Labor
Education Program. This timely presentation, which is provided
free of charge on request to local unions, teaches the connection
between strong unions and a strong economy, along
96