The Labor Studies Program at Georgia State University was established in 1978 to serve the training and educational needs of working people and their labor organizations in Georgia. The program seeks to equip union members with the knowledge and skills to fully exercise their rights and meet their responsibilities. The major focus of the Labor Studies Program is conducting continuing education classes for labor organizations throughout Georgia.

Most programs are designed in cooperation with a sponsoring local union, district or regional office or labor council. Specific topics may be included at the discretion of the sponsoring organization. The basic charge for a one-day class is $500 plus any travel expenses. This figure includes all instruction, materials and a certificate for each participant. Several unions sponsor 6-8 week classes on specific topics such as labor law or arbitration. The price for such classes varies with the amount of time involved, length of the course and materials used.

The Labor Studies Program has also been working directly with local unions in strategic planning efforts to improve organizational efficiency. Several locals have enjoyed an increase in their membership and effectiveness due to these efforts. Strategic planning services are available for $500 a day. This price includes an introduction to the process, facilitating the planning session, and a written summary of action taken. The Labor Studies Program has provided training and assistance to joint labor-management efforts to improve dispute resolution procedures or achieve greater communication in problem solving. Service to the labor-management community provided by Labor Studies Program faculty includes assisting with the Georgia Labor Management Conference, the Atlanta Chapter of the Industrial Relations Research Association, advising various state and federal agencies responsible for workplace issues, and judging union scholarship contests. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the programs and services available through our program. Please contact us with any questions you may have at (404) 651-3653.