Workshops
[June 7, 2024]
11:00 AM
Theme: Clinic: Organizing members, Digital campaign materials, Campaign strategy, AI
[June 7, 2024]
3:30 PM
Theme: Organizing 101: what to consider when planning your strategy
[June 8, 2024]
9:00 AM
Theme: Robots and workers unite!
Robots and workers unite!
Room: Salon C
A session on artificial intelligence tailored for unions. AI is coming to your union, whether you want it or not. Communications staff and volunteers tend to be some of the most tech-savvy people in the union structure, so there’s an opportunity to help guide how AI ends up being used. On a tour through the AI landscape, we’ll explore what’s possible and some of the limitations of this new technology, with specific examples of current tools. We’ll also examine the ethical implications and what you can do to prepare your union for the changes to come.
So, you want to organize new workers?
Room: Lacombe
Unorganized workers are seriously talking about unionizing for the first time in decades, making it the perfect time for unions to ramp up organizing efforts! In this workshop, learn how to use basic communications skills and tools to recruit leads and start the organizing process. We’ll break down an organizing drive into its essential components and explore proven ways to grow the collective strength of your members to win. Communications staff, campaigners, and organizers alike will benefit from this crash course in the basics of building power.
Ethan Clarke is a strategic organizer and project planner with nearly two decades of experience in the North American labour movement. He founded Campaign Gears in 2012, combining the fight for social justice with a passion for digital technology (he loves making databases, he admits it). Campaign Gears has helped more than 90 unions and nonprofits with varied campaign needs.
Before founding Campaign Gears, Ethan was the Organizing Director of Workers United Canada Council, overseeing several large, successful organizing drives. Currently, he is the Campaign Strategist at CUPW and is a member of CUPE. He has worked in various roles, including campaign manager, on more than 10 federal, provincial, and municipal election campaigns.
He began his career with an undergraduate degree with a joint major in Political Studies and Computer Studies from Trent University. He also holds a certificate in website development from OCAD University.