2026 Labor Notes Conference: Full Schedule

3:05pm CDT

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

Open shop conditions don’t have to be a death sentence. Learn strategies for building and maintaining stronger unions even under so-called “right to work.”

Moderators

Bryan Trafford

Teamsters Local 89

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

Shop Floor Power

9:00am CDT

Upping Our Strategy to Build Working-Class Power

Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:45am CDT

Barajas

Unions fight for better wages and working conditions, but we also want to build power to win transformative change for working people and the planet. How can we work across unions and sectors, align with community partners, and build powerful alliances that begin to change the balance of power? Hear how unions are developing a long-term agenda and strategy to win bigger gains.

Moderators

Stephanie Luce

Professional Staff Congress, co-author, Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World

Speakers

Margarita Hernandez

Grassroots Power Project

Inez O’Donnell

Union of Southern Service Workers

Katie Romich

Communications Workers District 7

Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:45am CDT
Barajas

Strategy

2:15pm CDT

Talking Politics with Your Co-Workers

Saturday June 13, 2026 2:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

Barajas

Many of us avoid talking politics at work... but how can labor change the world if we can't even talk to each other about it? Do you have differences of opinion with your co-workers on immigration, war, who’s elected to run the country, you name it? Hear real stories and practical advice from workers who are finding common ground with their co-workers. Come share your stories and practice how these conversations can go better.

Moderators

Overcoming Divisions Political Education

2026 Labor Notes Conference

3:05pm CDT

Dave Schneider

Bryan Trafford

9:00am CDT

Stephanie Luce

Margarita Hernandez

Inez O’Donnell

Katie Romich

2:15pm CDT

Lorene Scheer

Paco Arago

Eileen Hagerman

JoAnna McClenathan

Phil Rubianes

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