The National Labor College (NLC), which has offered training and education to thousands of union members across the United States since 1969, announced plans this week to close the school.
The NLC decided last year to put its Silver Spring, Md., campus up for sale and move to online-only instruction, a shift outlined in a recent feature story in USW@Work magazine. But when an agreement to sell the campus unexpectedly fell apart, the trustees found that closure was the only alternative.
USW International Vice President Fred Redmond, a member of the NLC board of trustees, released the following statement:
“It is with great regret that the board agreed to develop a plan outlining the orderly shutdown of the college. The financial situation of the college was the deciding factor in this decision. We will meet again in December to discuss a timetable for the shutdown, as well as a plan to allow those registered in the degree program to finish their studies.
“Throughout the history of the college, members of the USW executive board, our leadership team and rank and file activists have all benefited from the college’s unique programs. The board had been exploring new programs and funding strategies, but economic realities unfortunately made closing the NLC our only alternative.
“The leadership (past and present) of the AFL-CIO, affiliate unions, and wonderful staff of the college throughout the years is to be commended for its vision of establishing opportunities for workers committed to higher learning, focused on a curriculum that benefitted the trade union movement and delivered with high principles and standards.
“The National Labor College will be sorely missed.”
For the latest updates on the NLC's plans, visit http://nlccommunity.wordpress.com/