The LEC collaborates with K-12 schools, higher ed, unions, worker centers, and community-based organizations to provide customized training programs that address specific needs. Topics covered include:

• Introduction to the Labor Movement and Labor History
• Stewardship and Grievance Handling
• Addressing Sexual Harassment and Racial Discrimination
• Internal and External Organizing Strategies
• Campaign Mobilization
• Activating Members
• Labor-Community Partnerships
• Research and Public Speaking Skills
• Labor Law and Contemporary Labor Issues
• Contract Administration and Labor-Management Relations
• Organizational Solidarity Building

We also provide in-depth training on topics from our Certificate programs. Training can be conducted in-person at your location, at our office, or virtually. Email us at LEC@depaul.edu to set up a training!

Our mock contract negotiations bring the bargaining process to life, illustrating the power of collective organizing while fostering students’ awareness about their rights and interest in the labor movement. Students work in teams with coaches from local unions and worker centers to draft proposals and attempt to reach an agreement with the opposing side. Contact us if you are interested in hosting us at your school or volunteering.

Our labor leadership training and mentorship program educates young workers about their labor rights, provides leadership and organizing skills, and connects them to local labor leaders and organizations, facilitating pathways for life-long involvement in the labor movement. The program is open to enrolled college or university students (ages 18–25) in the Chicagoland area, includes a stipend, and meets monthly from January through May. Stay tuned for our 2026 College Fellowship For Worker Justice application or email lec@depaul.edu to get on our mailing list.

The LEC hosts public workshops to engage youth, community members, and labor leaders in open discussions on labor issues and the movement’s future. These sessions aim to inspire new initiatives, foster collaboration, and deepen the collective understanding of challenges for workers. We also offer guest lectures in high school and college classrooms to teach about various aspects of the labor movement, providing students with valuable insights into worker rights, advocacy, and the evolving landscape of labor organizing.

We provide expert consultations tailored to support organizing efforts, capacity building, and other labor-related needs. Whether you’re navigating workplace challenges, planning an organizing campaign, or looking to strengthen your organization’s impact, our team is here to help you strategize and succeed.

Stay informed with our curated content:

• Weekly Email Newsletter: Delivered straight to your inbox, our newsletter features labor-related news, upcoming events, opportunities to support active organizing campaigns, and valuable resources. Subscribe now!
• Social Media Updates: Follow us onFacebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for real-time updates, engaging content, and labor movement insights.

We actively contribute to the labor movement by affiliating with and serving as board members of respected organizations, including:

• Labor Research and Action Network (LRAN)
• United Association for Labor Education (UALE)