About Labor Education Service

Our philosophy

At the Labor Education Service, we believe every worker deserves dignity and respect — and unions are the best vehicle for achieving that goal.
We believe education is not a luxury — it's a necessity if the labor movement is to grow and meet the challenges of the 21st century.
We believe workers and unions should have access to quality educational programming through the state's major public university — the same access to public resources that corporations enjoy.

Mission

The Labor Education Service (LES) of the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, Carlson School of Management is the primary educational outreach component of the Land Grant University of Minnesota serving working men and women of the state and region in the areas of labor relations and labor studies. The mission of the Labor Education Service is to equip workers, union officials and labor organizations with the knowledge-based tools to protect and advance their rights and responsibilities in a changing global socio-economic environment. Through these efforts, the Labor Education Service fosters economic vitality, ethical relations, and social justice in the workplace, at home and in the community.

What we offer

Getting ready for bargaining? Organizing new members? Mobilizing for elections? Whatever your needs, LES staff can help. We can develop and implement a comprehensive educational plan -- or fill in the gaps in your current programs and services.

Our programs include: