Labor & Employment Law
Class | Available
November 15, 2025
The class covers the basics of labor and employment laws that every union activist should know. The class reviews the laws, the agencies that administer the laws, and the effectiveness and weaknesses of the laws and their enforcement. The course covers the National Labor Relations Act and the challenges workers face in union organizing, strikes, lockouts, and contract campaigns; employment laws that impact all workers such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and anti-discrimination laws; and the Landrum Griffin Act on union members’ rights.
Important Note: Nothing in this certificate program or any individual sub-course is intended to be or should be interpreted as legal advice in any way. Similarly, this certificate program, individual subcourses, and/or instructor’s curriculum do not create or intend to create any aspect of an attorney-client relationship.
Kay Emmert
Prof. Emmert is a Lecturer in the Labor Education Program, where she teaches labor law, grievance processing, arbitration, collective bargaining, communication and leadership skills to union members, unrepresented workers, and university undergraduates. As Lead Negotiator and bargaining advisor for the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition at UIUC, she successfully negotiated multiple contracts, securing significant gains in wages, job security, and benefits. An expert in contract research, writing, and enforcement, she develops engaging, real-world curricula that empower workers with the knowledge and skills to advocate for fair labor practices and workplace protections.