Eric Rolfsen

Fall 2005

Santa Cruz, CA

In the summer of 2005, GIIP Fellow Eric Rolfsen conducted research for GIIP’s Global Labor Education Research Project (GLERP). Starting by assessing local labor unions members’ technology skills, and then offering computer and internet trainings to the members in an effort to assist their labor campaigns and build their capacity to network with other labor organizations both locally and nationally.

 

This project further developed into a partnership between GIIP and the UCSC chapter of the American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees . During the summer, four info-training sessions were held in which twelve AFSCME members were taught basic computer literacy and were introduced to the Internet. Not only did the participants learn valuable skills, these info-sessions served as a pilot program in which valuable information was gathered regarding what the technical and informational needs of the average AFSCME member is.