Save the University of Iowa Labor Center

Save the University of Iowa Labor Center

University of Iowa administrators have announced their intent to close the UI Labor Center – the only unit in the entire state university system that specializes in research and education for and about Iowa workers.

This decision was made with NO prior discussion with the Labor Center, UI faculty, workers, students, or community partners who rely on the Center’s education and research.

The Labor Center belongs to Iowans – it was established in 1951 and built by the contributions and support of generations of Iowans for nearly 70 years. It provides direct education for over 2,500 Iowa workers across the state each year, and impacts many thousands more as these continuing education students bring knowledge of health and safety laws, anti-discrimination rights, and leadership skills back to their workplaces and communities to grow Iowa’s economy. Its specialized knowledge is an essential resource for students and faculty on campus who study labor, immigration, public policy, Iowa history, and the economy. And it is a model public-private partnership, sustained by funds from program fees, competitive grants, and a small but essential university funding commitment. Now the university is trying to hijack the only university funds across the state that are committed to serving Iowa’s workers.

You Can Help Save our Labor Center!
Join others across the state and nation in letting the UI know that:

• The Labor Center serves a unique and irreplaceable function, teaching classes for thousands of working adults and scores of enrolled UI students each year, promoting good jobs and a stronger economy, and supporting experiential student learning and interdisciplinary faculty research.
• Stealing the small amount of university money that has been committed for decades to research and education on issues that matter most to Iowa workers is an unforgivable breach of public trust.
• Closing the Labor Center would harm workers across the state, leave gaping holes in UI’s curricular offerings and research capacity, and destroy the joint commitment generations of state and university leaders have made to Iowa workers.

Please contact UI administrators now and tell them to keep hands off Labor Center funding! Urge them to:

1. Reverse the decision to close the Labor Center,
2. Rescind the furlough notices given to Labor Center employees, and 
   
3. Recommit the Labor Center’s existing university funding to Labor Center activities.

UI Law School Dean Kevin Washburn: 319-384-4658 / [email protected]
UI President Bruce Harreld: 319-335-3549 / [email protected]

Tracy Leone [email protected]