Union Summer School will be held June 22-26, 2026 at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nevada.

The Union Summer School program is geared for emerging and veteran local leaders who want to take their skills to the next level. The week-long event is filled with rigorous workshops, motivated and skilled trainers, and applied learning. There is also the opportunity to share best practices with local leaders from across the state and to find inspiration in one another’s work.

Important Dates:

• Scholarship applications are due by May 15th
• Scholarship awardees will be notified by May 22nd 
• Last day to register for Union Summer School is May 29th
• Course selection confirmation emails will be sent the week of June 1st
• Payments are due by June 5th
• Last day for refunds is June 12th 
• Classes start June 22nd

Registration

Please register here

Accommodations

• Residential participants will be housed at the Grand Sierra Resort.
• We will offer single occupancy rooms with an option of king bed or two queen beds.
• Union Summer School price is $1,000 per person which includes lodging.

Course Offerings

CFT is offering five comprehensive courses to strengthen your union-building skills. This unique residential program includes evening group work. Participants are expected to participate for the full duration of the course.

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Building Local Union Power Through Organizing and Member Engagement

Internal organizing is the foundation of a strong union.  With a focus on having high membership and engaged members, the course will cover issue organizing and the work needed to build a powerful local union.  Participants discuss concrete ways to build an effective communication network at the worksite so that members are informed about and involved in union activities. We hope that participants will leave this session ready to inspire and motivate their colleagues to get involved in the union.  *This workshop is open to all but,  it’s also the track for participants receiving the organizing grant.

Topics covered include:  

• Our Ability to Achieve Gains 
• Who Is A Leader 
• Establishing A Communication Network
• One-One Conversations To Involve Members in The Union 
• Welcoming New Employees & Asking Them To Join the Union
• Checklist for a Well Organized Worksite 
• Putting It Into Action

Crash Course for New Presidents & Leaders

This course is designed for local presidents &/or leaders elected within the last two years, and those wanting a refresher course.  We will cover the basic knowledge you need as an AFT local president, provide participatory training on useful leadership skills, and allow you to share best practices and challenges leader-to-leader. 

Who should attend? Current local union presidents or new leaders. This course is also open to new executive board members and new executive directors.

Topics covered include:

• How AFT, CFT, and your local union function together, what resources are available to help in your work, and what opportunities exist to participate in union governance bodies and events
• The legal requirements of running unions that every officer should know, including the Duty of Fair Representation, and best practices for addressing issues around membership and status changes
• How to make the most of your right to participate in new employee orientations
• How to plan and run effective meetings
• Best practices in communicating with your members and the public
• How to identify, recruit and develop other union leaders
• Networking with other local presidents to share experience and build support

Note:  It is recommended that you bring a laptop or tablet, your local Constitution and Bylaws, and the most recent collective bargaining agreement with you to the course.

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NEW! Fight Back Against Authoritarianism

Description:

This intensive, action-oriented workshop equips educators, union leaders, and community organizers with the knowledge, tools, and tactics to resist authoritarian threats and defend democratic rights in schools, workplaces, and our communities. Combining theory, practical skills, and strategic planning, participants will learn how to protect vulnerable communities, mobilize collective power, and implement campaign-ready actions that keep our communities  safe and uphold civil liberties.

Who should attend:

This workshop is specifically intended for local presidents, leaders, and union members who are positioned to lead planning and organizing efforts within their respective local and communities.

Key Topics & Learning Objectives:

• Authoritarianism 101 & Resistance: concise theoretical background on authoritarian tactics and how democratic institutions are targeted; frameworks for building durable resistance.
• Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA) and Civil Disobedience: principles, legal considerations, roles inside unions, planning and participating in nonviolent direct action, and debriefing tactics.
• Immigration & Community Defense: know-your-rights for immigrant communities, responding to ICE activity, and resource mobilization.
• LGBTQIA Rights: state and federal rights for students and educators; strategies to defend LGBTQ+ people in schools and work.
• Voting Rights & Civic Participation: protecting ballots, local assessment of vulnerabilities, and voter and community protection planning.
• AI in the Workplace: risks of AI surveillance and management tools; minimizing harm to union members; practical safeguards.
• First Aid Direct Action & Direct Aid: basics of nonviolent direct action, first aid for actions, direct care strategies for impacted community members.
• Doxing Defense & Data Hygiene: cleaning your digital footprint, social-media safety, data hygiene practices
• Social Media Strategies for Educators: communication tactics, narrative control, protecting staff and students online.

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Treasurer Training: Financial stewardship for a strong local union

This comprehensive training will put participants at ease and provide the practical tools to effectively carry out the responsibilities of a local union treasurer. Using a hands-on format, you’ll learn the best practices essential in union administration, financial record-keeping and reports. In light of the pending Janus decision, we will also discuss budget and reporting changes. This course is open to union presidents, treasurers and executive directors.

Who should attend? This course is open to union presidents, treasurers and executive directors.

Topics covered include:

• Learn the best practices essential in union administration, financial record-keeping and reports
• Learn how to discuss budget and reporting changes
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of officers, including the Treasurer
• Learn how to calculate and pay AFT and CFT per capitas
• Define and manage governmental compliance (IRS reporting, Dept. of Labor, etc.)
• Prepare and manage the union’s annual budget
•  Learn COPE requirements and procedures
•  Implement sound financial controls and accounting practices

Make a strategic plan to align your union’s programs and financial resources with an organizing approach that will strengthen the union’s ability to accomplish its goals.

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Winning the Best Contract — Collective Bargaining & Contract Campaigns

Collective bargaining is at the heart of union organizing. When workers act together we have a better chance of achieving gains for our families and our students. This simulation-based course will focus on the basic strategies, best practices, and skills necessary to ensure that your local union is in a good position to negotiate the best contract possible.

Who should attend? New chief negotiators and new bargaining team members, or those with just a few years of experience. Veteran bargaining team members who want to refresh their basic skills and expand member involvement in their union’s effort to win a great contract are also welcome.

Topics covered include:

• Explain the overall role of the union and the purpose of collective bargaining
• Organize members and expand membership in the effort to win a great contract
• Describe the role of worksite leaders in strengthening the union’s effort to win a great contract
• Utilize surveys to generate bargaining proposals and engage your members
• Describe the basic legal rights connected to collective bargaining
• Work effectively as a bargaining team
• Act strategically at the table in different stages of bargaining
• Cost out basic proposals
• Plan a campaign that builds member involvement and community support

Note: A laptop or tablet will be helpful for some work in this course. If you do not have access to one, the course will work in teams and computers will be shared.

Fee Payment

• The registration fee is $1000 for a single occupancy room. The fee covers lodging, meals, tuition, and course materials. Participants or local unions are responsible for transportation costs.
• You or your local will be required to pay the registration fee. Local unions may pay for multiple attendees at once.
• Check payments can be mailed here:
  CFT – Los Angeles County Office
  2550 North Hollywood Way, Suite 400
  Burbank, CA 91505
  Attn: Accounts Payable
• Online payment can be made here.
• Deadline: The deadline to pay registration fees is June 5th.
• Cancellation policy: Refund requests received after June 12th will not be granted. 

Getting There

If you are arriving by car

• Set your driving directions to 2500 E 2nd St, Reno, NV 89595.
• Parking is free.

If you are arriving by plane

• Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) about 3–4 miles away from downtown Reno.

• Truckee Tahoe Airport (TKF) – about 22 miles away.

  Carson Airport – about 24 miles away.

  Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – about 110–115 miles away.

Program

Coming soon

Social media

• Follow us and tag us at @CFTunion on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
• Use the hashtags #cftsummerschool #IamCFT #CFTleaders

Schedule At-A-Glance

Monday, June 22

10 am  Registration opens
12:00 pm  Lunch 
1 pm  Opening Session
2 pm  Classes begin
6 pm  Dinner 

Tuesday, June 23

9 am  Class
12 pm  Lunch 
1 pm  Class
6 pm Dinner

Wednesday, June 24

9 am  Class
12 pm  Lunch 
1 pm  Class
6 pm  Dinner/Social

Thursday, June 25

9 am  Class
12 pm  Lunch 
1 pm  Class
6:00 pm  Dinner

Friday, June 26

9 am  Class
12 pm  Program concludes
12 pm Lunch

Scholarships

2026 Scholarship Application_Union Summer School

• Please complete the scholarship form by May 15th.  Do not mail in a payment. Please wait until the Scholarship awardees have been announced.
• Awardees will be notified by May 22nd. 
• If you have any questions, please email Crystal Drake or phone the CFT Ventura County office at 805-485-5861.
• Scholarships cover lodging, meals, and tuition, but do not include the cost of transportation or incidentals.