AFL-CIO Summer School continues to draw record crowds

EUGENE - Nearly 200 union activists from various labor organizations - including 10 people from the labour movement in British Columbia - attended the Oregon AFL-CIO Summer School Aug. 2-4 at the University of Oregon.

"It was the largest turnout we've ever had," said Barbara Byrd, coordinator of the Portland branch of the Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) of the U of O, which co-sponsored the summer school.

The count was 176 registrants, not including presenters.

The summer school is an opportunity for trade unionists to learn new ideas and skills, and also to make connections with other trade unionists from around the state and country. LERC Director Bob Bussel led a workshop on how to reach out to younger workers and get them involved in the union.

Oregon AFL-CIO President Tim Nesbitt opened the summer school with an outline of labor's political agenda for November 2002.

A Saturday evening barbecue featured games and music. Another big hit was a one-man show on "The Life and Times of Harry Bridges" by Ian Ruskin.

Most summer school courses qualify for LERC's Union Leadership Education and Development certificate program. This year 18 certificates were presented.

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