Labor, Knowledge and Economy Series

In the 21st Century, the emergence of a "knowledge" economy has made human capital relatively important compared to the machinery that gave rise to the industrial age. This series features an interdisciplinary range of scholars exploring the effects of this shift on workers in light of our rapidly changing world.

Brought to you by Labor, Knowledge and Economy, a working group of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, University of Washington.

WINTER 2010

  • Tuesday, February 23
    Forum: Faculty Unionization
    w/Gary Rhoades, AAUP
    UW Club, Seattle
    Reception, 4pm; Program 4:30pm

  • Thursday, April 8
    Social Mobilization in the Information Age
    w/Prof. Manuel Castells, Wallis Annenberg Chair in Communication
    UW Seattle
    Time and location TBA






    • Next Event

    Tuesday, February 2

    Media Labor in the Age of YouTube
    w/Prof. Gina Neff (UW Communication)


    Communications Building, Room 120, UW Seattle
    3:30pm-5pm

    "Old" media continue to struggle to adapt in "new" media environments with increased competition for audiences, plummeting advertising revenue, and uncertain business models for content. In this talk, Neff will focus on the work involved in making media products and the people who do this communication work.

    For more information, call the Bridges Center at (206) 543-7946 or e-mail pcls@u.washington.edu.

    In Memory of Jean Gundlach, 1913-2009

    The Bridges Center is sad to announce the passing of Jean Gundlach, a Visiting Committee member and founding supporter of the Bridges Center and the Bridges Endowed Chair in Labor Studies. After a short time battling illness, Jean passed away late Friday, December 11th. She was 96.

    Born in Missouri, Jean spent time in Idaho, Minnesota and New York City before moving to Seattle in the 1940s. In 1946, Jean began work as secretary of the Committee for Maritime Unity, and later went to work for the National Maritime Union and the International Fisherman and Allied Workers of America (IFAWA). After UFAWA merged with the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union in 1950, Jean worked for the ILWU regional director, and then the namesake of HBCLS himself, Harry Bridges.

    Throughout her years, Jean devoted herself to progressive programs, working with migrant farm worker organizations in the 1950s, and even joining a "walk out" when Harry and the ILWU titled officers didn't treat staff as they should. With her retirement in the late 1970s, Jean's tireless work only increased. She was central to promoting the creation of the Bridges Chair, and coined the name of our newsletter, "Building Bridges." In 2008, she was awarded the Bridges Center's Robert Duggan Distinguished Supporter Award.

    A video of Jean recounting her experiences working for Harry Bridges is available thanks to the Waterfront Workers History Project.

    Donations in Jean's memory can be made by check to the Jean Gundlach Memorial Fund, and sent to the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, University of Washington, Box 353530, Seattle, WA 98195-3530.

    Building a Labor Archive for Washington State
    Download a brochure!

    For full-color copies to share with your community, organization, or union local, contact the Bridges Center.

    With your support, we can make the Washington State Labor Archive a reality.

    Please consider making a secure, tax-deductible contribution by credit card to the Labor Archive Fund.

    Donations may also be made by check with our mail-in donation form.

    Washington State needs a Labor Archive.

    With the help of unions throughout the state and the cooperation of the University of Washington Library, the Bridges Center is working to create one.

    Working people and their unions built this nation, and no state has a more dynamic labor history than Washington State. We need to ensure that our labor heritage is preserved and that current and future generations understand the struggles and accomplishments of organized labor.

    A Labor Archive will preserve the records of unions and of labor leaders and activists, and will serve as a center for historical research. Such research will help new generations understand the importance of the labor movement in the past and its importance to the future of our state and nation.

    The effort to create a Washington State Labor Archive is officially endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council, M.L. King County Labor Council, Pierce County Central Labor Council, Snohomish County Labor Council, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, and the ILWU Pacific Coast Pensioners Association.

    » READ MORE

    Student Resources

    Winter 2010
    Labor Studies
    Courses

    Our list of Labor Studies courses for Winter Quarter 2010 has been updated.

    Over two dozen labor-related courses are being offered across ten different departments on the UW Seattle and Tacoma campuses.

    » READ MORE

    Faculty Resources

    Washington State Labor Research Grant

    Up to $6,000 available

    Currently seeking proposals from UW faculty for funding for research on labor issues relevant to Washington State.

    Priority deadline: May 31, 2010

    » READ MORE

    Featured Research

    Our Featured Research section contains the latest Labor Studies policy analysis, international perspectives, popular education materials and more. The site features over fifty reports, multimedia, updates on current projects, and more.

    Media of Past Events

    New Video

    Bill Fletcher, Jr.:
    "Building a Labor Movement with Change We Can Believe In"

    Working Groups

    Fall 2009 Updates



    For regular updates on Bridges Center news and events, e-mail pcls@u.washington.edu with "join e-mail list" in the subject.

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    Upcoming Events

    Announcements

    » 12.25.2009

    Great Depression in Washington State Project
    Featuring detailed histories and hundreds of photographs, documents, articles, and more.

    » 11.5.2009

    New Labor Studies Courses
    Labor Studies courses for Winter 2010 - plan now and register early.

    » 10.27.2009

    Fall 2009 Newsletter
    The new issue of Building Bridges, the Bridges Center's annual newsletter, is now available.

    » 10.26.2009

    Featured Research
    A new website presenting years of Labor Studies scholarship and materials.

    » 10.8.2009

    Farm Workers in Washington State History Project
    New multi-media website details and documents the history of Washington's farm workers and explores their labor and political activism.

    Our Mission

    The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies supports a network of scholars in cutting-edge research, education, and outreach about work, workers and their organizations.

    The Center engages students in labor studies through courses and field work. We promote connections between students, faculty, and labor communities locally and around the world, and inform policy makers about issues confronting workers.

    » READ MORE

    Support Us

    We depend on the continuing generosity of our supporters to maintain programs and assist students.

    Donating on-line is safe and easy. Choose a fund below.

    » Bridges Community Outreach and Events Fund

    Supports all aspects of the Center, including special events, teaching, and scholarship.

    » Martin and Anne Jugum Scholarship

    » Martha Duggan Fellowship

    » Harry Bridges Endowment

    » Theodore L. and Doris M. Hansen Endowment

    Donations can be made via check by downloading our donation form. For more information on donations and individual funds, please visit our Support website.

    Contact Us

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    Harry Bridges
    Center for Labor Studies
    University of Washington
    UW Box 353530
    Seattle, WA 98195-3530

    Phone: 206-543-7946
    Fax: 206-543-9451
    Email: pcls@u.washington.edu
    Office: Smith Hall, Room 101