Elaine Bernard, Executive Director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard University.
Elaine Bernard, executive director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard University, recently discussed some of the exciting changes and challenges facing organized labor in California and the rest of the country at the CTA Urban Issues Conference, held at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach Feb. 27-March 1. Bernard told CTA members in attendance that this country has entered a new era for unionism with a president who understands the value of both labor unions and community organizing. She received loud applause when she told the crowd that teacher unions have fought to maintain education as a "public good" and have prevented our public schools from becoming simply another business. Because of teacher unions, said Bernard, public education is still strong, even with business pushing for vouchers and privatization.