The AFL-CIO’s Organizing Institute (OI) is the nation's leading training institution for union members. We offer quality training to help organizers learn the skills they need to win and to move the labor movement forward.

Interested in training your organizers to win?

Keep your eyes open as the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute (OI) will “Go Public” with its Fall/Winter Training Schedule! We will look to finalize and announce the training schedule in early October and the schedule will run from November through March 2023.

 

Training Schedule

 

TRAINING DATES TRAINING LOCATION NOTES
April 12–14, 2023 Academy 3-Day In person, Minnesota Hosted by MN AFL-CIO
May 5–7, 2023 OI 3-Day Training In person, Maine CLOSED
June 9–11, 2023 OI 3-Day Training In person, Colorado Registration opens April 17, 2023
June 20–22, 2023 Academy 3-Day In person, Chicago, IL Hosted by Chicago Federation of Labor

Note: Digital Training times for OI 3-Day Trainings are 2–4 p.m. ET, unless otherwise indicated.
 
All dates are subject to change.
 
Trainings in italics: Not OI Trainings

For all Academy 3-Day trainings (in italics), attendance will be by invitation of the hosting Federated Body and registration will not occur through this website. Email us at [email protected] for more information.
 
All training registrations open at 12 p.m. ET.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

In-Person Workshops

The cost to participate in our in-person training program will be $250 per participant. This will cover administrative and COVID-19 safety costs and meals. Each participant will receive a T-shirt. This does not include the cost of on-site accommodations or travel. Should the AFL-CIO need to transition training online, all participants will receive a refund.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Although strongly encouraged, the wearing of masks is optional at current OI Trainings. The AFL-CIO OI will adhere to CDC and to state & local COVID-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

One-Day Mini Workshops

Members and staff who cannot attend in-person trainings are invited to participate in our One-Day Mini Workshops. These workshops are designed to reinforce organizing principles and best practices on specific campaign topics. We hope these mini-sessions will allow busy organizers to attend, whether working remotely or in the field. The cost is $25 per participant.

Three-Day Trainings

We are proud to have trained more than 800 dedicated organizers safely and effectively since 2020. Organizers were able to sharpen their skills safely. We look forward to incorporating more digital training in the future to offer safe and flexible options. The cost for Three-Day Virtual Trainings is $75 per participant.

Trainings for Affiliated Unions and Campaigns

The Organizing Institute can assist AFL-CIO affiliated unions and local bodies with their staff and member training needs through partnered in-person and remote training. If you’re interested in collaborating on a training for your organization, please complete our Training Interest Form. After we receive your information, we will reach out to discuss technical support and COVID-19 safety protocols.

Advanced Trainings

The following workshops and clinics are designed for experienced organizers who are taking on greater roles, such as leading teams of organizers or campaign strategy.


Advanced Organizer Workshop

This condensed digital workshop is designed for organizers with at least two years of direct organizing experience and who are currently working on an organizing campaign. Participants will share their experiences, challenges and successes with one another and focus on building skills to enhance critical thinking, campaign planning and committee development.

The training schedule will be available in August. Please contact us for more information.


OI Exchange Field Clinics

The OI Field Clinics are designed and hosted by participants of the OI Exchange to reinforce core campaign best practices that win campaigns and develop strong organizers. The Organizing Institute works with host unions to refine objectives, design the agenda and lead facilitation.

Each clinic is built around a consensus “community practice” that reflects the subject matter for the clinic. Clinics are designed for experienced organizers who lead teams and want to take on greater roles in the campaign.

The full training schedule for these condensed, digital clinics will be available in August. Contact us for a summary of field clinics we offer.


OI Train-the-Trainer Program

Over the past year, the OI has been working with a number of AFL-CIO state federations, central labor councils (CLCs), and other allies to build out a game-changing Train-the-Trainer Program to deliver quality trainings and grow the labor movement. We have developed a very rigorous training program for state federation and CLC staff to be able to scale up their on-the-ground union building operations. State federations and CLCs already have run several trainings under this new initiative.

Our premise—to increase union density (currently hovering around 11.5%)—is that we need to organize nearly 1 million new members annually. To do that, we must eventually and adequately tool up more than 5,000 member activists and staff organizers annually for workers to WIN big fights and grow the labor movement. We are intent on doing just that!


Past Webinars

Building and Keeping Momentum in Organizing Campaigns During COVID-19
Webinar access code: 7V!&x^45

Stephanie Basile, New Unit Coordinator, TNG-CWA
Lisa Maria Garza, Orlando Sentinel Guild, CWA Local 3108
Alex Driehaus, Southwest Florida NewsGuild, CWA Local 3108
Erin Petenko, VTDigger Guild, Providence Newspaper Guild Local 31041

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Begin a Career in Union Organizing

The OI is not accepting applications for its apprenticeship program at this time.

Please visit Union Jobs to view and apply for positions in the labor movement. You can also post your resume on the AFL-CIO Organizer/Researcher Resume Posting System.