Labor History Curriculum
In 2015, after a five-year struggle, LHA members secured passage of a bill mandating that the state Department of Education make a curriculum available in labor history and law, including organized labor, the collective bargaining process, and existing legal protections in the workplace.
Written by Cecelia Bucki
Professor of History, Fairfield University
Lesson plans include summaries of key events, links to videos and other resources.”
7 Reasons why we need to teach labor history
1. It’s time to balance the scales.
2. Trade unions in Connecticut and throughout the nation have contributed to our way of life.
3. Labor unions are part of Connecticut’s heritage. The state has always been strong participant in worker struggles.
4. Most Connecticut families have a labor tradition.
5. Teaching about labor has been largely ignored in our schools.
6. Cost of School Districts will be minimal.
7. Lastly, the story of labor and workers can provide more excitement in the classroom.
Why is labor education important?
Consider the following partial list of protections and benefits that all workers enjoy today due to the efforts of the labor movement:
• child labor laws
• the weekend
• minimum wage
• the 8-hour day
• meal and rest periods
• workplace health and safety laws
• anti-discrimination laws
• family and medical leave
• health care and retirement security (pensions)
• construction standards and prevailing wage laws
• career technical education and apprenticeship opportunities