49th (UALE) Northeast Summer School for Women+  in Unions and Worker Organizations

July 20–24, 2026 | New York City

Resist · Rebuild · Renew: Sowing Seeds of Solidarity

 

 

About the Summer School:

The UALE Northeast Women’s Summer School is a residential labor education program that brings together women and gender-expansive members of unions and worker organizations to develop leadership skills, deepen political analysis, and strengthen solidarity across movements. 

Hosted in 2026 by the CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies, the Summer School will take place in New York City, a historic center of labor struggle and worker organizing. 

As unions seek to actively support and invest in members to create meaningful, lasting impact in the organization and assume stronger leadership roles, the Women 's+ Summer School provides a mechanism for strengthening individual members, connecting them with a network of women across unions and industries, and contributing to the long-term power, resilience, and future of working people as a whole. 

Who Attends: 

The program is designed for: 

• Rank-and-file union members 

• Emerging leaders 

• Union staff and officers 

• Women+ leaders in worker and community organizations

 

Inclusive Definition: 

We use an inclusive definition of “women” and “Women+” that includes trans women, gender-nonconforming women, and non-binary people who experience gender-based oppression in workplaces and worker organizations. 

 

What Makes the UALE Northeast Women ’s+ Summer School Different? 

This is not a conference where participants move quickly from session to session. 

The Summer School is designed as a shared learning experience, with participants engaging in multi-day leadership courses and workshops that allow time for deeper learning, practice, reflection, and relationship-building with other attendees. Learning happens in the classroom, in conversation with peers, and through shared experiences throughout the week. 

One of the most valuable aspects of the Summer School is the opportunity to learn alongside other Women+ labor activists, build trust, exchange strategies, and form relationships that continue long after the week ends. 

 

Why Unions and Worker Centers Support the Summer School 

Unions have long supported the Women’s Summer School because it: 

• Builds confident, skilled leaders rooted in union values 

• Strengthens member engagement and organizing capacity 

• Creates networks across locals, sectors, and regions 

• Helps leaders understand the broader labor movement and their role within it. Participants return with practical tools, stronger connections, and a clearer sense of how to contribute to their union’s growth and long-term strength. 

 

Program Structure:

Participants will engage in: 

• Leadership Development Courses - Multi-day courses focused on power, democracy, labor history, identity, and movement strategy 

• Skills-Building Workshops - Including organizing, collective bargaining, grievance handling, coalition building, communications, and political education 

• Plenary Sessions - Bringing all participants together to examine urgent labor and social issues shaping the current moment 

• Community & Cultural Programming - Designed to foster connection, solidarity, and reflection, while balancing rest and flexibility 

Instruction is provided by intergenerational teams of labor educators, union leaders, and worker-organization activists, reflecting the diversity and experience of the labor movement. 

 

Language Justice & Accessibility: 

The 2026 NEWSS is committed to language justice and inclusive participation. Planning includes: 

• A full Spanish-language track 

• Interpretation in plenary sessions 

• Multilingual workshops, where possible 

• Practices that promote shared responsibility for inclusive communication 

Participants will be asked to indicate language and access needs during registration. 

 

Residential & Commuter Participation/Lodging:

To ensure broad access and participation, the 2026 Summer School will offer both residential (student dorms) and commuter options.

• Residential participants: Students may stay at The Towers at CCNY, a dormitory at City College, located a 30-minute subway ride from SLU. The address is 401 West 130th Street, New York, NY 10027. The residential rate covers tuition, materials, meals, and lodging.
  • Single Room rate: $1,150
  • Double Room rate: $1,010
• Commuter participants: Will take part in the full daytime program, with optional evening activities.
  • Commuter rate: $575 (includes tuition, materials, and meals)

Group Registration: 

If your local needs an invoice or you want to register a group of people, please contact: UALESummerSchool@slu.cuny.edu

 

Questions & Contact:

For updates and additional information, please contact: UALESummerSchool@slu.cuny.edu

Daniella Young
Maureen La Mar
Aliqae Geraci
Coordinator Team
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies (SLU)
25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036 

 

Cancellation & Refund Policy: 

All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to UALESummerSchool@slu.cuny.edu. Base fee (tuition, materials, and all cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to UALESummerSchool@slu.cuny.edu. The base fee (tuition, materials, and food) is refundable up to Thursday, June 25, minus a $50 fee, and after June 25, minus a $200 fee. Lodging is refundable up to June 25, minus a $50 fee. After that, no refunds will be issued. Registered participants who fail to cancel in writing before Summer School begins on July 20 and do not attend will not receive a refund. Food is refundable up to Thursday, June 25, minus a $50 fee, and after June 25, minus a $200 fee. Lodging is refundable up to June 25, minus a $50 fee. After that, no refunds will be made. Registered participants who fail to cancel in writing before the start of Summer School on July 20 and do not attend will not receive a refund.