travel & parking information

first 40 attendees get free drink tickets to after-reception!

free HALF DAY SUMMIT - FREE CLES

Cleveland State University College of Law

1801 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Moot Court Room & Atrium

2:00 - 3:30

Organizing the Rank-and-File: New Unions, Contracts,

& Better Conditions for Workers

4:00 - 5:30

The Untold Story of the Flint Sit-Down Strike;

a UAW History & it’s Lessons

5:30 - 6:30

Student Solidarity Fair & Labor Networking Reception

6:30 - 8:00

Bridges or Barricades? The Role of Policy & Case Law in the struggle for Worker Rights

8:00 - 10:30 After Reception at Moe’s Tavern

Workers represented by a union are at a historic low sitting at only 10%, down from their mid-century peak, when roughly one-third of the labor force was union-protected. In large part, this rapid decline is attributed to so-called “right-to-work” laws and other anti-union policies which significantly contributed to income inequality, and eroded worker protections. However, the pandemic heightened our collective understanding of worker conditions and caused a favorable shift in public perception of collective bargaining. Polls show that over 70% of Americans support workers’ efforts which have resulted in favorable contracts at industry titans such as the United Auto Workers and U.S. Postal Service, and hard-fought recognition of newly formed unions like the Starbucks Workers United. Beyond perception, in August, the U.S. Treasury issued a first-of-its-kind report that shattered the old view that worker empowerment constrains economic growth. It proves the opposite: not only that unions strengthen the middle class and grow the economy overall, but that they actually increase productivity for employers.

Labor law has appeared on the list of fastest-growing practice areas for the last two years, and young lawyers are eager to join the movement that will shape future labor regulations and our economy. Northeast Ohio is uniquely situated to meet this need. We sit in the heart of the Rustbelt’s traditional union-heavy industries, and our natural ecosystem perfectly positions us at the forefront of developing sectors. In addition to these natural advantages, three law schools are located within a 40-mile range, offering an opportunity for industry leaders and policymakers, seeking to develop the next generation of union lawyers and local leaders.

CSU-NLG’s FIRST ANNUAL REGIONAL UNION-SIDE LABOR

2:00-3:30 Organizing the Rank-and-File: New Unions, Contracts, & Better Conditions for Workers

Recent years have seen spectacular union victories, from the ongoing organizing campaign from Starbucks United, to historically strong contracts for the Teamsters, UAW, SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and others. But encouraging headlines should not obscure the challenges workers face, nor does it reverse the decades long decline in unionization caused by anti-union politicking. How do workers and organizers overcome management obstruction to turn representation elections into durable contracts? Some workers are more likely to be exploited than others; how does the movement meet the specific needs of this workforce? What is the strategy when choosing member-based over top-down organizing models? Our panel will take on these questions and more from various perspectives - from century-old trades unions, to non-profit and brand-new service sector unions - and discuss how labor can turn exciting victories into sustained growth and power. AKSHAI SINGH of Netroots Nation, Starbucks Workers United, and Move Ohio, Akshai recently organized with members of Amalgamated

Transit Union Local 268, and low-income and working people in Northern Ohio to expand GCRTA's public transportation budgets to make it easier for folks to get by. Experience in political, environmental justice, and community organizing. Degrees in finance and economics, with undergrad studies in engineering and theater. Akshai is fulfilled by community action. ALEENA STARKS Aleena is the Ohio Director for the Working Families Party and brings over a decade of advocacy for Cleveland's marginalized and working-class communities. With a track record spanning activism, organizing, and electoral campaign management, Aleena has fought for the incarcerated, affordable housing, living wage, voter rights, and reproductive justice and healthcare for all. Deb Kline has over 37 years of experience as an organizer and activist, operating at both the national and local levels. Currently, her focus lies in addressing issues affecting working individuals in Ohio. She presently holds the position of Director at Cleveland Jobs with Justice, a coalition comprising labor, faith, and community organizations working collectively to advocate for worker justice. she has placed significant emphasis on Immigration Reform and the safeguarding of undocumented workers and their families as primary areas of concern. Deb is currently serving in her third term as the President of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU). JIM PORCARO is a partner at Fusco Gallagher & Porcaro.. He advises clients on an array of labor and employment issues, including issues relating to negotiations, grievances, representation, internal union matters, work stoppages, picketing, handbilling and prevailing wage claims. He has represented clients in wage and hour disputes, severance agreements, non-compete agreements and general employment contract matters. he represents clients in collective bargaining negotiations, arbitrations, state and federal courts and various administrative agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board and the National Mediation Board.

Join UAW archivists Jamie McQuaid, of Wayne State University, and Martha Grevatt, former UAW worker and organizer, as they discuss the history of the 1935-36 Flint, MI Sit-Down-Strike. They’ll challenge our portrait of the “traditional” American worker, centering the lived experiences of the rank-and-file, and share the original story of how "the strike heard round the world” transformed organized labor in the U.S.

4:00-5:30 Untold Story of the Flint Sit-Down Strike; a UAW History

& it’s Lessons. Hosted by the

NEO Workers Center

MARTHA GREVATT has been a UAW member since 1987, when she was hired at Chrysler’s Twinsburg, Ohio, Stamping plant. She was active with UAW Local 122, serving on various committees and boards. When the plant closed in 2010 she transferred to Warren, Mi, where she Co-chaired the Civil & Human Rights Committee. Martha is a founding member of Pride at Work, the LGBTQ+ labor organization. She played a significant role in winning non-discrimination language and same-sex domestic partner benefits in the Big Three contracts with the UAW. Martha is an author and managing editor of Workers World newspaper. JAMIE MCQUAID is a queer historian and union archivist from Lansing, Mi.,jamie is the child of two autoworkers, and was instilled with a strong sense of union solidarity, which they proudly carry. Jamie has written extensively on the intersection between queer activism and community formation with labor activism and working-class politics. As a unionist, Jamie has worked with organizations like Pride at Work Mi, the AFT Mi Queer Caucus, and Mi Labor History Society, to bring labor education to allied activist circles and onto college campuses. They currently serve as the Extension Program Coordinator for Labor@Wayne, Wayne State University's Employment and Labor Relations Program. ANNA STROINSKI is labor historian and a volunteer with the NEO Worker Center (NEOWC). She has conducted funded research on the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike, IWW, American Federation of Labor, Samuel Gompers, British Trades Union Congress, and transnational labor diplomacy at the turn of the century. In college, she served as the Vice Chair of the Massachusetts College Democrats Labor Caucus. Anna manages the experiential program at CWRU School of Law and moonlights as a freelance writer. She is the proud daughter of working-class Polish emigres to the U.S.

6:30-8:00 Bridges or Barricades? The Role of Policy & Law in the Struggle for Worker Rights

Over the last two decades, unions have responded to the dramatic shifts in trade, employment, and economic policy as the nation experienced two recessions, inflation, and a pandemic that sent supply chains into chaos. On the campaign trail, promises to reinvigorate the manufacturing sector are common from both sides, yet, even after historic presidential gestures we still see strike-blocking executive action, and proposed right-to-work laws sweeping state legislatures. How can workers respond while also meeting emerging challenges like automation and clean energy? Our panelists will discuss how strong unions will lead the transition on labor policy that provides a safe and sustainable workforce

BRIAN PEARSON Political Director for the North Shore AFL-CIO, Brian is a native of the Youngstown area, and before joining the North Shore, he spent eight years as a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Girard, where he also served as Secretary-Treasurer and then President of IAFF Local 1220. Along with his work as a local union leader, he served on the Legislative Committee of the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF), where he lobbied at the Statehouse for pro-worker and pro-firefighters policies. Before that, he was a member and Trustee of AFSCME Local 765. He remains a dues-paying IAFF member and is a member of OPEIU Local 1794. Brian has a bachelor's degree in American History and holds a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University. His wife, Samantha, and their two children live in Shaker Heights. MICHAEL ENGBERT is a Contractor Engagement Specialist with a LIUNA (Laborers Union) regional organizing fund that supports local unions in OH, KY, and the Southeast. He started with LIUNA working in the field on construction projects. While a rank-and-file member he took a number

of LIUNA classes to grow as a member activist and eventually landed in the department he works in presently. Mike’s current role involves identifying emerging opportunities within LIUNA’s core construction sectors. As is common in the building trades, Mike’s focus is on organizing in a top-down fashion by signing new contractors to LIUNA and advocating for pro-worker public policy for the construction industry. DAVE GREEN In 2022, David was elected UAW Region 2B Director under the first direct ballot election. Green became a UAW Local 1112 member in 1989 when he was a summer helper at GM’s Lordstown assembly plant. Six years later, he was hired into GM’s FAB plant where he worked in various capacities including general assembly, material handling, body shop, pressroom, and team leader. In 2003, he was elected as Trustee for Local 1714, and later served in the roles as vice-president and president. Six months after Green assumed the role of the newly merged Local which represented the entire Lordstown Complex, GM announced its closure. He served as an alternate health and safety, and EAP representative, at Local 440 in GM’s Bedford Casting Operations after the closing.Green has a BA in Social Sciences, a MA in Organizational Leadership with a certificate in Instructional Communication, but his proudest accomplishment is that of his two amazing and talented daughters, Alison and Cate. Green is currently living with Chrystal Behan, in Indianapolis, IN. Her support has helped him continue his passion for social and economic justice. GRACE HEFFERNAN is a co-founder and former board chair of the NEO Worker Center (NEOWC), the region's first worker center and is especially proud of their work launching a wage theft clinic and organizing anti-wage theft legislation with the Guardians for Fair Work coalition. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and dog Alamo, is an avid reader and stays civically engaged as a member of the Cuy. Co. Democratic Party Central Committee, Hiram College Alumni Board, Detroit Shoreway Economic Development Committee, and Towards Employment's Annual Event Committee.

After summit

reception

@ historic

Moe’s tavern

8:30-10:30 ● 3 min walk from venue ● 1740 E 17th St.

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

first 40 summit attendees

get free drink tickets! (21+)

Immediately following our program, we hope to see you at the after-summit fundraiser at historic Moe’s Tavern - just a 3 minute walk from the law school - hosted on our behalf by PSL-Cleveland Labor Committee! Built in 1890, this Cleveland landmark started as a rooming house for workers coming into the city, and has functioned as a church, cocktail bar, gay club, and even has ties to The Simpson’s and the infamous Cleveland gangster, Danny Green. Finish those conversations you started in a casual setting while you enjoy a 50/50 raffle, free food, and one of their many domestic or craft beers. All proceeds from the raffle go directly back to supporting the NLG student chapter here at CSU-Law!

organizations/

agencies here are listed because they have agreed to represent their organization/

agency at the Student Solidarity Fair & Labor Networking Reception on April 5, 2024, Northeast Ohio Labor Summit, and does not imply the organization's/

agency's endorsement and/or sponsorship of the 2024 Northeast Ohio Labor Summit, nor the endorsement of the content /topics that are the subject of the 2024 Northeast Ohio Labor Summit

NATIONAL LABOR

RELATIONS BOARD, REGION 8

The NLG was established in 1937 in part, to counter the American Bar Association’s unchecked support of New Deal Era union-busting policies. Maurice Sugar, General Counsel of the UAW, was an integral part of the creation of the Guild. Our work is guided by the mission, “to use law as an effective force in the service of the People by valuing human rights and ecosystems over property interests.” For nearly 90 years, the NLG has acted as the legal arm to defend social movements and the conscience of the legal profession. We are dedicated to the perpetual analysis of and subsequent appropriate change to the structure of our political and economic system in service of progress. We believe in active solidarity and are decidedly and definitively pro-union.

(216) 206-7193 ● nlgcsu@gmail.com

This event is completely FREE for all attendees. However, our NLG student chapter is very grateful for one-time or sustainer donations to fund events, send students to labor-law conferences, and support working class students get law degrees that put "People over Property," our motto for nearly 90 years. Contact us or make a tax-deductable donation via credit card here.

Thank you!