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* Program and speakers subject to change. Check back periodically, as this program will be updated as speakers and activities are confirmed.

9am: Registration & Hot Breakfast

10am: Building Power to Achieve Our Vision

• SEIU 1021 Education Industry Chair Maria Salazar-Colón
• Featured Speaker: SEIU 1021 President Theresa Rutherford
• SEIU 1021 Executive Director David Canham
• Keynote Speaker: Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the California Labor Federation and Former Assemblymember

11:15am: Workshop Block 1 – Movement Building for Change

• Advancing Racial Justice in Our Schools and Communities

Through small group activity this interactive this workshop will provide participants with insight on how to recognize racially unjust systems at play in educational institutions, and explore key strategies we can use to disrupt structural racism.

Facilitator: Bernard Moore, SEIU Racial Justice Center

• What Does Climate Justice Mean for School Workers?

From wildfires to drought and rising sea levels, climate change is happening now—and its impacts are the harshest in underserved and marginalized communities already facing the highest levels of economic and racial injustice. This interactive workshop will help schools workers understand what’s at stake, the opportunities we have, and the role we can play in making positive change for our schools, communities, and world.

Facilitators: Dave Hancock, Director of Strategic Campaigns, Climate Jobs National Resource Center; Zach Cunningham, Extension Associate, Labor Leading on Climate Initiative at Cornell’s Worker Institute; Maria Salazar-Colón, Education Industry Chair; Kaden Kratzer, Education Industry Director; Nely Obligacion, SEIU Local 1021 Deputy Director of Advocacy & Internal Organizing

• Listening for Unity: Handling Workplace Division

We will practice listening strategies and discuss how to use in our workplaces and union to prevent conflict, identify common concerns, and build solidarity.

Facilitator: Joe Fahey, Professional Trainer and Coach, Former President of Teamsters Local 912

12:15pm: Hot Lunch

1:15pm: Workshop Block 2 – Building Skills to Strengthen Our Union

• Beginners: Union 101 – We Can’t Spell Union Without U or I

When it comes to understanding chapter, local, and national union structure and labor rights – the jargon can be confusing, not to mention all the misinformation spread around. This presentation will give New Hires/New Members an orientation of how our union operates and why it matters.

Facilitators: Dave Hancock, Director of Strategic Campaigns, Climate Jobs National Resource Center; Zach Cunningham, Extension Associate, Labor Leading on Climate Initiative at Cornell’s Worker Institute; Maria Salazar-Colón, Education Industry Chair; Kaden Kratzer, Education Industry Director; Nely Obligacion, SEIU Local 1021 Deputy Director of Advocacy & Internal Organizing

• Intermediate/Advanced: Strategies for Advancing Climate Justice in Bargaining

With federal funding available for climate-friendly improvements, we have huge opportunities to address climate inequities head-on through long-term mitigation and adaptation of strategies, while assuring ongoing and new work for our members. This interactive workshop will explore ideas for winning contracts that bring in new funding and make our schools healthier and more sustainable for us all.

Facilitators: Maria Salazar-Colón, Education Industry Chair, and Kaden Kratzer, Education Industry Director

• Advanced: How to Make Meetings Better

Learn and practice techniques to help keep union meetings constructive and allow everyone a chance to participate. 

Facilitator: Joe Fahey, Professional Trainer and Coach, Former President of Teamsters Local 912

2:30pm: Seizing Election Day for Change

• SEIU 1021Vice President of Politics Ramsés Teón-Nichols
• SEIU 1021 Deputy Executive Director Josie Mooney
• Keynote Speaker: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond

3:30pm: Union Resources at Your Fingertips: Intro to the Member Resource Center Portal

4pm: When We Fight, We Win: Panel Discussion of Challenges & Victories

4:30pm: Dance Party with DJ

Ready to learn, grow, connect, network, and have fun with us? Register for the 2022 Education Industry Summit now!

Register here

About our featured speakers:

THERESA RUTHERFORD,

SEIU 1021 PRESIDENT

LORENA GONZALEZ FLETCHER,

Executive Secretary-Treasurer of California Labor Federation

TONY THURMOND,

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION