2026 Labor Notes Conference: Full Schedule

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10:00am CDT

From Israel’s Genocide to U.S.’s Deportation Sweeps: Workers Organize for a Better World

Friday June 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am CDT

Companies like Palantir, Amazon, and Google have long used Palestine as a testing ground for surveillance tech. Now these militarized technologies are being exported globally—including to the United States to enable anti-immigrant violence. Hear how workers are taking on these tech giants, from nurses defending their co-workers and patients from ICE terror, to painters and tech workers calling for divestment.

Moderators

Muna Abhari

BDS Movement

Speakers

Dan Albright

Painters

Jeffery Dix

SEIU Local 1021

Ramah Kudaimi

Action Center on Race & the Economy

Alex Samburov

No Tech for Apartheid

Friday June 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am CDT
Grand Ballroom H

Politics

1:00pm CDT

Running Labor Candidates for Public Office—What it Takes to Win

Friday June 12, 2026 1:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Grand Ballroom H

Union members are often encouraged to run for office—whether as independents, third-party candidates, or progressive, pro-labor Democrats. But making the transition from labor activism to electoral politics is not easy in a two-party system dominated by big money, where few working-class people hold public office. We’ll address the challenges of recruiting candidates and campaign volunteers, raising money, getting endorsements, and winning elections, using the skills and experience of past local union leadership or staff. Hear about running inside and outside the Democratic Party, at the state, local, and federal level.

Moderators

Steve Early

Labor for Bernie activist

Rand Wilson

Labor for Bernie activist

Speakers

Aleena Starks

Ohio Working Families Party

Francisco Ortiz

United Teachers of Richmond, California

David Marshall

CWA Local 6215, Texas AFL-CIO

Scott Houldieson

UAW, Indiana state senate candidatenRepresentative, Working Families Party

Friday June 12, 2026 1:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Grand Ballroom H

Politics

3:05pm CDT

Fight ICE, Build the Union

Friday June 12, 2026 3:05pm - 4:50pm CDT

Grand Ballroom H

Union members across the country are in an intensifying battle to keep their members and communities safe from federal immigration authorities. While some say unions should avoid "divisive issues," organizing around immigrant defense can deepen relationships among members and help bridge political divides. Learn how members are taking up this fight—and how do it in your own local.

Moderators

Immigrant Workers

2026 Labor Notes Conference

10:00am CDT

Muna Abhari

Dan Albright

Jeffery Dix

Ramah Kudaimi

Alex Samburov

1:00pm CDT

Steve Early

Rand Wilson

Aleena Starks

Francisco Ortiz

David Marshall

Scott Houldieson

3:05pm CDT

Sasha Hammad

Evan Church

SatKartar Khalsa

Amelia Pedrego

Alex Rivers

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