Current ULA Course Offerings

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Schedule

Union Leadership Academy (ULA)

ULA classes are designed by union members and for union members and worker organizations

Fall Session I 
Building Strong Unions: Steward Training  ​
Dates:  September 9, 2025 - October 14, 2025 (Tuesdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (EST)

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Instructors: Will Brucher, Djar Horn, Todd Vachon and Guest speakers

Format: Remote (via Zoom) Online Class

The Union Rep/Steward is at the heart of every strong union. We know our members, the issues, the bosses AND we have to know how to organize members and solve problems. Join us in this 6 week course where we will learn the skills and legal rights and obligations of a shop steward. The course material will also cover labor law and a bit of labor history, political economy of unions, member rights, internal organizing, contract interpretation and grievance handling. Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, case studies, and small group exercises ending with a mock grievance. The class is open to all affiliated with a union or worker organization.  This course counts toward the Union Leadership Academy Certificate.  

Contributes toward completion of the Rutgers LEARN - Union Leadership Academy (ULA) certificate.  

ULA classes are designed by union members and for union members and worker organizations - join the academy today to become the leader you want to be tomorrow!

Fall Session 2
Strike School: Workers' Power from History to Action
Dates: November 6, 2025 - December 18, 2025(Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (EST) 

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Instructor: Will Brucher, Todd Vachon and Expert Guest Speakers

Format: Remote (via Zoom) Online Class

This course is a comprehensive review of workers’ most fundamental right and exercise of power: The Strike. We will study major strikes in history, taking lessons for our times. We will review labor law in the private and public sector as well as the Railway Labor Act. We will cover internal and external conditions for a strike, targets, length of strikes and other strike strategies. Then we will move on to organizing a successful strike: preparing for a strike, structure tests and escalating actions, strike committees and funds and the mechanics of running the strike.

Contributes toward completion of the Rutgers LEARN - Union Leadership Academy (ULA) certificate.  

ULA classes are designed by union members and for union members and worker organizations - join the academy today to become the leader you want to be tomorrow!