Motivating & Mobilizing

Organizing from within the workplace

What is an inside organizer?

An inside organizer is someone who organizes their workplace while they're working there. Successful union organizing campaigns have always relied on strong, diverse worker committees to lead the campaign.

What is the Inside Organizer School?

The Inside Organizer School is a unique program aimed at making inside organizers as effective as possible in motivating and mobilizing their co- workers. The IOS branches off from traditional union organizer training which addresses staff development, focusing its curriculum instead on developing inside organizers who organize from within the workplace.

What is the cost of attending IOS?

Students sponsored by the IOS will have their lodging and food covered by the school. Students sponsored by a labor or partner organization are $200 per student, not including lodging. Students who are not sponsored and attending independently are $125 per student, not including lodging.

What is included in the program cost?

Food (including lunch and dinner on Friday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday) is included as well as the cost for the event space and other associated costs for the school.

Can I request to be sponsored?

If you are not currently being sponsored by a union or the IOS and are interested in being sponsored, please email us at insideorganizerschool@gmail.com.

Why join the labor movement?

The most effective avenue for worker power is a labor union. Vibrant labor unions provide a voice and a seat at the table. They are a counterbalance to the growing dominance of unchecked corporate power in the workplace and in society.

Who should attend the Inside Organizer School?

Everyone interested in organizing should attend the inside organizer school! You could be a student interested in workers' rights, a worker who wants to organize their workplace, or a current worker on an organizing committee. Being an inside organizer is also the best way for folks who want to join the labor movement to both learn about organizing and make a real contribution to the labor movement as well.

Who runs the Inside Organizer school?

IOS is a collective of experienced organizers who are dedicated to bringing top level organizing skills to empower workers. We believe that workers can self-organize and take back power from corporations that have overreached and are dominating our society.

Where is the IOS hosted?

The IOS is hosted across the country. Many of our trainings take place in Rochester, NY and Washington D.C. with our current labor partners. Check out the Registration page to see the schedule for our upcoming trainings.