Managing with Labor's Values: WA LERC x Cornell ILR

Name: Managing with Labor's Values: WA LERC x Cornell ILR
Start: 2026-04-09T09:00:00-07:00
Location: Washington State Labor Education and Research Center

Schedule

Thu, 09 Apr, 2026 at 09:00 am

UTC-07:00

Location

Washington State Labor Education and Research Center | Seattle, WA

Can you be an effective manager while staying true to the values of the labor movement? Not only is it possible to manage staff without compromising on values, it is critical that managers at unions and social justice organizations get the training they need to become effective leaders and make the best use of limited resources.
The LERC is proud to be partnering with Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations to offer this four-day course for leaders and managers of labor and nonprofit organizations across the region.
Register and learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/lerc-mwlv-2026
During the 4 day workshop, participants will learn to help staff succeed, foster shared accountability, and respond to common management issues while honoring the values of the labor movement.
This workshop is open to leaders and staff directors with supervisory/managerial responsibilities who are based at labor unions or social justice organizations. Leaders from labor-adjacent organizations, including nonprofits involved in community organizing, are welcomed to register.
Key Topics & Outcomes (April 9-10, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Part 1: Helping Your Staff to Succeed
How managing in a union is unique
Assessing & adjusting management style to specific situations
Dealing with different behavioral styles
Giving effective feedback, coaching
Prerequisites for accountability
Part 2: Building Accountability (May 7-8, 9 AM – 5 PM)
Motivation
Tools for accountability, including reporting systems
Performance improvement plans
Team building

Approach & Features
This series will include short presentations, case studies, small group work, group discussions and role play. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss real challenges they face with peers in the workshops.
About the Facilitators:
Lead Facilitator Kasi Perreira / Heen Shawat (she/they) is a visionary leader, educator, transformational character and artist. Granddaughter of both indigenous and immigrant workers of the Pacific Northwest, she is a proud Tlingit tribal member and Chinese American. They have over 10 years of leadership and director-level experience at unions, worker centers and social justice organizations, combined with over 2 decades of organizing and collective bargaining campaigns focused on cross-racial solidarity and liberation.
Co-Facilitator Mara Rafferty (she/her) serves as the Director of the WA Labor Education and Research Center, where she leads the center’s staff running innovative education and training programs for working people across Washington. Mara teaches workshops and classes for unions on organizational growth and change, running effective meetings, and leadership development. Before coming to the LERC, Mara served as Lead External Organizer for United Autoworkers Local 4121, where she led and contributed to mass campaigns that saw thousands of workers win new collective bargaining rights and first contracts.
Attendance, Certificates, and Make-Up Dates
The course takes place over four days, and participants are expected to attend all four days to receive a certificate of completion by the LERC. Attendees who miss a day will be given the opportunity to make up the day when the class is next offered to get a certificate of completion.