The Worker Institute’s Graduation of the 10th Cohort of The National Labor Leadership (NLLI)

On June 14, 2024, the graduation of the 10th class of the National Labor Leadership Initiative program marked a significant milestone for the Worker Institute. What started as an experiment in leadership training has evolved into a premier and transformative labor leadership program for union leaders in the United States and Canada. Moreover, the program is crucial in helping union leadership address some of the most significant challenges in recent American history.

By the time the class graduated, they had deepened their relationships with each other, explored the complexities of leadership in the current climate, and developed new strategies for success. The graduation ceremony took place at IBEW Local 3 in Cutchogue, N.Y., at the Long Island Education Center. The event included a week-long retreat where participants reflected on what growth meant in today's labor movement. They also discussed how to communicate with members about leading through periods of intense divisiveness and how to build relationships across the movement between unions and non-unionized workforces. This cohort brought together leaders from various unions and organizations across different sectors, including trade, education, service industry, climate justice, and healthcare.