Penn State

Consortium forSocial Movements and Education
Research and Practice

Education and Labor in Tension: Contemporary Debates about Education in the US Labor Movement

Education and Labor in Tension: Contemporary Debates about Education in the US Labor Movement

Rebecca Tarlau
2011
2011

Abstract

This article examines the conflicting visions within the US labor movement about the proper function and implementation of labor education programs, and how educational programs are connected to union structure. While this article is primarily based on interviews with union officials, the article also draws on union documents and participant observation in union meetings and educational workshops. The author argues that an analysis of worker education programs is an appropriate entry point for drawing out the similarities and differences that exist about the goals, structure, and political values of different unions in the contemporary US labor movement.

Article
Our Research

Abstract

This article examines the conflicting visions within the US labor movement about the proper function and implementation of labor education programs, and how educational programs are connected to union structure. While this article is primarily based on interviews with union officials, the article also draws on union documents and participant observation in union meetings and educational workshops. The author argues that an analysis of worker education programs is an appropriate entry point for drawing out the similarities and differences that exist about the goals, structure, and political values of different unions in the contemporary US labor movement.

Social Movements

Labor Rights

Keywords

Class, Curriculum, Nonformal Education, North America, Pedagogy

Theme

Popular Education; Adult Education; and Social Movement Learning

Related People

Rebecca Tarlau