Dear Friend of CLCS,

As the year comes to a close, there is so much to reflect on. As a Center, we hosted six labor education conferences, bringing together hundreds of workers from across the labor movement. More broadly, it has been a tumultuous year for labor and for workers of all identities, which has become an exercise in solidarity across industry and difference. Threats to workers and their communities seem to be multiplying, from corporate union-busters to extrajudicial immigration enforcement, further legal erosion of organized labor's rights to the ongoing nationwide affordability crisis. More than ever, this year has highlighted the absolute necessity of worker and community organizing. It's only through mass mobilization, resilient networks, and the power of organized ordinary people can the working class fight back these threats.

Just this month, fights like these have been flashpoints in Southeast Michigan. Starbucks workers in Ypsilanti are striking alongside stores nationwide, as part of Starbucks Workers United's Red Cup Rebellion. Communities across the state have come together to oppose AI data center construction. Workers at U-M are fighting for dignity and fair compensation in their first contract (a bargaining unit that, for full disclosure, includes four of CLCS's six staff members). As readers of this newsletter know, these fights are only won through organized solidarity. Below, you'll find opportunities to be part of these efforts. We only win together. Solidarity forever.

CLCS Staff at an end-of-semester celebration.

L-to-R: Dom Bouavichith, Jessie Gougeon, Tracey Dye, Michelle Fecteau, David Reynolds, Ghana Goodwin-Dye

We want to share information that is relevant and interesting to YOU; if you have feedback or have something you'd like us to share, don't hesitate to shoot us an email! (clcs.labor@umich.edu, or reply directly to this newsletter!) This might include news stories, events to promote, job postings, or anything labor related you'd like shared out!

Monthly newsletters typically will include announcements of upcoming events, media and recaps from past conferences and symposia, and research reports on labor in Michigan. Each newsletter will also have a Labor in the Headlines section, with news items on current events in the labor movement, so be sure to scroll all the way through!

Newsletters will also live on our website, under "News".

In Solidarity,

CLCS Staff

Our 2026 edition of Black Men in Unions will take place February 19-22, and registration is now live!

Join us at Somerset Inn in Troy, MI for this four-day event.

More information (including the registration form) can be found on our website (linked below).

Scholarships are available!

CLCS has begun to plan the second conference of the year: the Michigan School for Women Workers. MSWW26 will take place April 16-19 at the Somerset Inn in Troy, MI.

This is our longest-running conference, and we'd like YOU to be part of the planning process!

The first planning meeting will take place THIS SATURDAY, on the UM Dearborn Campus, at 10am. It is an in-person meeting, with a Zoom option for folks outside the Metro Detroit area.

A photo from MSWW 2005, with an attendee wearing a "Woman of Steel" button.

Two photos from the CLCS archives. Recognize anyone or have info? Let us know!!

Above: a group photo from BMIU 2004. Below: an outdoor gathering at MSWW, possibly in the late 70s/early 80s?

We invite faculty from all three campuses to join for our second Faculty Affiliate meeting of the year! The meeting will take place THIS FRIDAY, 3-4:30 pm.

During this meeting, we'll discuss plans for the Winter 2026 semester and start developing programming and research plans.

All faculty (any campus, any position) are invited, and the meeting will happen over Zoom.

Respond to this email to get the Zoom link! Feel free to forward this newsletter to faculty who might be interested!

On Saturday, January 24, 10-12, we'll have a symposium on Democracy and (Worker) Participation. A panel of speakers will discuss how workers and communities can organize to wield real political power.

Registration now live!!

Saturday, January 24, 10-12

In-person on the UMD campus, Zoom option available

In November, we hosted the Fall Leadership Institute with over 100 attendees, representing AFGE, AFT, IBEW, IUOE, IUPAT, OPEIU, SEIU, TWA, UA, UAW, UFCW, and USW locals, as well as an attendee from a local Amazon Fulfillment Center!

The diversity in leadership was incredible, and attendees were able to collaborate across unions and industry.

Keynote speakers included Beth Menz of SEIU, attorney Michael Doud, Dominique Drew of IUPAT, David Reynolds of CLCS, and Kendrick Roberson of AFGE.

Recaps, photos, and the conference newsletter can be found on our website and the FLI Facebook Page, both linked below.

Across the country, Starbucks workers have walked out, demanding the company bargain contracts for the 640+ stores that have won elections.

Around a dozen locations in SE Michigan have unionized with Starbucks Workers United, and two Ypsilanti locations—Glencoe Crossing and Carpenter Rd—are on strike NOW!

Get involved and show your solidarity today!

The Huron Valley Area Labor Federation is hiring a Field Coordinator—the deadline to apply is December 15!

The HVALF represents over 21,000 workers across Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, and Hillsdale counties. See their job posting below!

U-Iowa's College of Law is hiring a Labor Educator to teach in their Labor Center, specifically coursework on labor law.

More information below!

On January 1, the state minimum wage will increase from $12.48 to $13.73, as set by Michigan's Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act.