For more than 30 years, the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute (OI) has been at the heart of where members and staff organizers come together to sharpen their skills, share experiences, and reinforce best practices to empower working people to win respect and dignity on the job through forming a union.

Even during a pandemic, working people are still under assault across the country. Although the landscape of how we organize may be shifting due to COVID-19, the core principles for workers to build power in our workplaces remain the same.

The mission of the OI remains the same: to tool up organizers to teach working people to collectively go on the offensive and win respect, dignity and a voice through forming a union in our workplaces.

OI TRAININGS ARE NOW DIGITAL AND AT NO COST

We are now offering condensed versions of all OI trainings. It’s all online, and it’s all at no cost.

Note: Consistent with past practice, union members will not be able to sponsor themselves for any OI trainings. Approval by a supervisor or elected officer is required to attend any training.

Video

Labor Organizers Speak to the Quality and Value of Organizing Institute Trainings and Webinars

Upcoming OI Digital Training Schedule

Unless indicated otherwise, all sessions are held 2-4:30 p.m. ET.

TRAINING DATES TRAINING CO-SPONSOR NOTES
Sept. 14–16, 2021 OI Digital 3-Day* LCLAA and Nevada State AFL-CIO CLOSED - Join the waitlist.
Oct. 19–21, 2021 OI Digital 3-Day Minnesota AFL-CIO CLOSED - Join the waitlist.
Nov. 16–18, 2021 OI Digital 3-Day   Registration opens Oct. 13 at Noon ET.
Dec. 7–10, 2021 OI Advanced Organizer Workshop   Email us for more information.
Jan. 12, 2022 OI Digital 1-Day Mini Workshop   Registration opens Dec. 13 at Noon ET.
Jan. 25–27, 2022 OI Digital 3-Day   Registration opens Dec. 13 at Noon ET.

* This training will be conducted in Spanish.

This condensed training focuses on the fundamentals to win union organizing campaigns. Whether you are running a campaign for union recognition or strengthening your already existing local union during this crisis, these trainings are designed to provide organizers with tools to assist working people win a voice on the job. Participants will learn one-on-one communication skills, how to recruit and develop key leaders to the campaign, and how to run issue campaigns.

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.

Union, Industry and Campaign-Specific Training

The Organizing Institute can assist AFL-CIO affiliated unions and local bodies looking to train and develop member activists and staff organizers for specific campaign needs.

Email Patrick Scott for more information.

OI Webinar Series

How are union organizers leading organizing campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic? In this two-part webinar series, union organizers share how they are strengthening their organizing committees and building momentum through issue campaigns. Check back for upcoming webinars.

Sep 10
Event

Am I Safe at Work Webinar: Working People Winning in a Pandemic

Online Event, AP

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 | 2-3 p.m. ET

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 at the AFL-CIO Resume Posting Service for Strategic Campaigners.