Campus and Community

East Los Angeles College Interim President Robert G. Isomoto and labor leader Dolores Huerta share a laugh at the Los Angeles Community College District’s launching of the Dolores Huerta Labor Institute.

LACCD Launches Dolores Huerta Labor Institute Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, was the keynote speaker at the launching of the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) Dolores Huerta Labor Institute.

“For the first time ever, the Los Angeles labor movement will have a new way to spread the good word about unions to community college students throughout Los Angeles County,” said Huerta, speaking to a standing-room-only crowd of students, faculty and staff in ELAC’s Arthur J. Baum Student Center. “This is great news considering the important role that labor unions play each day in improving the lives of working families here.”

Other event speakers included Maria Elena Durazo, Secretary-Treasurer of the L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Darroch “Rocky” Young, LACCD Chancellor; labor union leaders and members of the LACCD Board of Trustees.

“We see this institute as a fine addition to our vocational and transfer classes which help prepare students for the nation’s workforce,” said Board President Georgia Mercer. “It will be housed at Los Angeles Trade Technical College, bringing labor practitioners and academic experts together to offer students labor history curriculum, volunteer activities and internships.”

The Institute will address Huerta’s goals of educating the public on the role, significance and contributions of workers in the changing global economy. Students will learn the public and private policies that govern employment and the significance of the labor movement in U.S. society. The Institute is funded by contributions made by L.A. labor unions and the LACCD.

The institute will hold a summer internship program for LACCD students who have an interest in working with unions, a commitment to social and economic justice and the ability to work with a diverse population. The 11- week internship includes a $450 per week stipend. Huerta revolutionized the labor movement in the 1960s using tactics of non-violence and ultimately dedicating her life to the struggle for justice, dignity and a decent standard of living for farm workers. Today she travels regularly to cities across the nation speaking on public policy issues affecting immigrants, labor, women and youth.

 

East Los Angeles College Interim President Robert G. Isomoto, left, presents an ELAC sweatshirt to retiring Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Darroch “Rocky” Young during the Board of Trustees’ March 21 meeting at East. Young is set to retire as Chancellor July

31.