About the Event
This interactive virtual conversation will cover the fundamentals of labor organizing, including what labor unions are and why they are an effective tool for improving working conditions for everyone. The presenter will also provide a broad overview of the major players and issues specific to organizing professionals. There will be time for networking and a discussion of how to get involved with or start organizing your own union.
About the Presenter
This conversation will be facilitated by Kate Ragon, Ph.D. Kate is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Labor Educator in Penn State's School of Labor and Employment Relations. Kate completed their Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Connecticut in 2020. While in graduate school, they got their start in the labor movement working as a field organizer to help fellow graduate students form their union, GEU-UAW Local 6950. At Penn State, you can find them developing and facilitating labor education workshops with their colleagues in the LABOR School as well as teaching labor-focused undergraduate courses. Kate is an avid hobbyist, so when they’re not working, they’re usually getting up to something crafty.