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#PowerFromThePast - 80th anniversary edition 📸 1946 – Paul Dodd was the founding director of the IRLE, which opened in 1946 as the “UCLA Institute for Industrial Relations.” View the IRLE's historical timeline at irle.ucla.edu/80th/timeline/ #UCLAIRLE #UCLA #LAHistory #LaborMovement

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Announcing the IRLE's 80th anniversary! 📣 To commemorate 80 years of advancing workplace justice, the IRLE presents a historic timeline tracing milestones at the Institute, UCLA, and Los Angeles: irle.ucla.edu/timeline/

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Join the UCLA IRLE and labor movement leaders for a live panel discussion on how labor organizations are defending immigrant rights at a critical moment. RSVP: ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Oct. 16, 2026 10-11:30 am PDT - Labor and immigrant rights panel with David Huerta, President of SEIU California and SEIU-United Service Workers West (USWW), Bernie Burnham, President of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Kurt Petersen, Co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In our first State of the Unions webinar, a worker-organizer with @sbworkersunited.org shared this inspiring message. Join the UCLA IRLE and @uclalabor.bsky.social for PART II revealing why securing a first union contract can take so long. RSVP at irle.ucla.edu/webinar

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Join veteran organizers for a timely discussion on the history and future of immigrant worker justice on October 9. Learn more: irle.ucla.edu/2026/09/11/m... RSVP: ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

KEY FINDING #4– CA is a national hub of strikes and worker protests, even as direct action types shift. Workers launched fewer strikes in 2025 than in previous years, yet engaged in many other forms of protest in response to issues at work and in their communities. Learn more at bit.ly/SOTU-25

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

KEY FINDING #3– After winning a union, many workers wait extended periods for a first contract. Half of bargaining units formed in California in 2024 had not ratified a first contract by the spring of 2026. Learn more at bit.ly/SOTU-25

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

KEY FINDING #2– Federal labor regulation slowed significantly under Trump. Union elections in the private sector dropped by more than 22%, while the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) more than doubled its backlog of unresolved cases. Learn more at bit.ly/SOTU-25

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

UCLA IRLE's "State of the Unions" KEY FINDINGS thread🧵 KEY FINDING #1– California unions grew in 2025, adding more than 100,000 workers and increasing the share of the state’s workforce represented by unions to 16.7%. Learn more at bit.ly/SOTU-25

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Join labor experts and organizers for an illuminating panel discussion on workers’ prolonged fights to secure a first union contract 💪📝 “State of the Unions Part II: The Fight for a First Union Contract” 🕐September 23, 12 - 1:30 pm PST 📍Virtual RSVP at irle.ucla.edu/webinar/

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Introducing “State of the Unions: California Labor in 2025.” The UCLA IRLE’s newest report provides the latest data on union membership, organizing activity, and worker direct action in California. Read at bit.ly/SOTU-25

State of the Unions: California Labor in 2025 report cover

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

COMING SOON – State of the Unions: California Labor in 2025 Join the UCLA IRLE for a discussion with labor experts and organizers on how California workers built power in 2025 despite challenges from the Trump administration. 🕗 9/9/2026 - 12-1:30 pm PST RSVP at irle.ucla.edu/webinar/

State of the Unions 2025 - Part I: California Workers fight federal threats to organizing rights

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

📣 UCLA IRLE’s Spring 2026 quarterly newsletter is out now Read the full newsletter at 🔗 bit.ly/IRLEQuarterly Sign up to receive our next newsletter 📥 bit.ly/IRLEsign_up

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

#PowerFromThePast Organized by the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness in 1977, members gather in defense of welfare rights at the “Hold the Line Caravan.” View more labor history at memorywork.irle.ucla.edu

Organized by the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness in 1977, members gather in defense of welfare rights at the “Hold the Line Caravan.” In this photo, the director, Bob Erlenbusch, delivers a speech calling to protect access to public assistance for those in need against a proposal aiming to cut benefits and restrict eligibility.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Join us for a panel on Jewish labor activism in Los Angeles at the UCLA Labor Center on May 28, 2026! The conversation brings together educators, labor leaders and community partners to discuss the history and future of Jews in the labor movement. RSVP here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

There is still time to apply to the 2026 Strategic Labor Research Conference! 🗓️ Applications close this Friday, May 15. This week, we’re spotlighting three research strategy workshops led by experts. 🔍 🚨 Applications DUE May 15 📝 Apply and learn more: irle.ucla.edu/research/ucl...

Workshop spotlight: Private Equity Research strategies with Aditi Sen

Workshop spotlight: Excel for Labor Research with Lauren Parker

Workshop spotlight: Mapping for research and organizing with Grace Regullano

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

#PowerFromThePast Labor leaders, community members and workers march in Downtown Los Angeles in support of hotel workers at the New Otani in 1997. Learn about the New Otani campaign and view more labor history on the Memory Work website: memorywork.irle.ucla.edu

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Announcing three sessions for the 2026 Strategic Labor Research Conference 📣 From analyzing ICE’s local consequences to uncovering hidden public subsidies, this lineup offers practical skills for researchers. 🚨 Applications close May 15 📝 Apply and learn more: irle.ucla.edu/research/ucl...

Deportation Economics - Participants will walk through the research methods used to document contractor relationships, examine how immigration enforcement activity connects to regional economic and employment outcomes, and explore policy levers, including disclosure requirements and contracting standards.

Power Analysis - Karla Zombro of California Calls will walk you through the power analysis framework and process. Power Analysis is a visual and interactive tool used to understand power relationships in our communities and workplaces so we can identify opportunities
to shift power and win.

Tracking Corporate Subsidies, Explosing Violations, Winning Better Deals - In this workshop, you will learn how to uncover the true costs of corporate subsidies and economic development deals, and how to turn that research into leverage for your
community.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Are you ready for May Day tomorrow? This week's #PowerFromThePast brings you a May Day memory from Los Angeles. Learn more about May Day and how we're honoring the date at the IRLE here: irle.ucla.edu/2025/04/28/m...

May Day marchers fill the streets in Los Angeles holding pro-immigration and labor signs in this colored photo dated between 1990 and 2005

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

There is still time to apply to the 2026 UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference! Join for a day of dynamic workshops led by top experts. See the full lineup at the link below. 🗓️ Applications close May 15 💡 Apply and learn more: irle.ucla.edu/research/ucl...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Join this year's UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference to learn from top experts including Kate Bronfenbrenner (@klbrenner.bsky.social) 📝 🗓️ Applications close May 15 💡 Apply and learn more: irle.ucla.edu/research/ucl...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

#PowerFromThePast Marchers raise a banner during a rally against Prop 187, 1994 Prop 187, an extreme anti-immigrant measure, ignited a wave of organizing and solidarity in Los Angeles in the 90s 📸 PFTP brings you a weekly snapshot of labor history Learn more at memorywork.irle.ucla.edu

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

#PowerFromThePast Dolores Huerta speaks at a labor movement teach in, 1997 📸 Power from the Past brings you a snapshot of labor history each week to inspire organizing in the present and future Today, we celebrates Huerta on the eve of her 96th birthday 🎂 Learn more at memorywork.irle.ucla.edu

Dolores Huerta stands on a stage behind a podium, speaking at a "teach in on a new labor movement" at UCLA in 1997

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

#PowerFromThePast "Mop Man" defends a worker during a street theater performance at a Justice for Janitors demonstration in 1992. 📸 Power from the Past brings you a snapshot of labor history each week to inspire organizing in the present and future. Learn more at memorywork.irle.ucla.edu

A black and white photograph shows a street theater performance outside an office building in 1992. A man in a superhero costume defends a woman janitorial worker from a boss by prodding him with a mop.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

📣 IRLE’s Winter 2026 quarterly newsletter is out now! Read here: conta.cc/4b6BdFk Catch up on the latest news from our units including the Labor Center (@uclalabor.bsky.social), Labor Studies and LOSH (@uclalosh.bsky.social) 🗞️ ☕

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🎞️ Alarming erasure of women in film: 2025 saw fewer women in front of and behind the camera, except among film writers. One would have to look back to 2022 or even 2018 for comparable lows

The alarming erasure of women in film:
2025 saw fewer women in front of and behind the camera, except among film writers. While 2024 boasted nearly equal numbers of male and female lead actors, the overall trajectory in recent years has shown diminishing numbers for women in the theatrical film industry.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

⏪ Top films continue pivotal backslide on BIPOC representation: Despite slight gains in most of the key positions in 2025, the trajectory of the data suggests that BIPOC representation has been on the decline since its peak in 2023.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🎬 Genres make a difference at the box office: White moviegoers represented the majority of the audience for films with genres that ranked the lowest at the box office: biographies, documentaries, and dramas. By comparison...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🎟️ BIPOC audiences continue to show up big in theaters: BIPOC moviegoers bought the majority of opening weekend tickets for more than half of the top 20 films released in theaters in 2025.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🍿 Films with more diverse casts keep winning at the box office: Films with main casts that were 41 to 50 percent BIPOC topped almost every metric of box office success. In contrast, those films with the least diversity (20-percent-or-less-BIPOC casts) performed the worst at the box office.

Films with more diverse casts keep winning at the box office:
Films with main casts that were 41 to 50 percent BIPOC topped almost every metric of success, including median global box office, median domestic box office, average opening weekend rank, widest domestic release, and number of international markets. In contrast, those films with the least diversity (20-percent-or-less-BIPOC casts) performed the worst at the box office.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

🎬 The latest installment of the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report is out now! The newest report looks at the top theatrical releases of 2025, revealing key diversity metrics for audience and awards favorites ⭐ 🍿 Read the report at bit.ly/HDR-2026-PT1 Read key findings posted in the thread below! ⬇️

Hollywood Diversity Report 2026, Part 1: Theatrical

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

CALLING ALL LABOR MOVEMENT RESEARCHERS! We are proud to announce the 2026 UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference📢✊ 📅 August 7-9, 2026 📍 UCLA School of Public Affairs 📝 Applications open April 1, 2026 🔗 For more details and to join our mailing list for updates, visit: bit.ly/slrc-email

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

UCLA IRLE’s Fall Quarterly newsletter is out now! 📢 Catch up on recently published reports, stories, staff mentions in the news and more 🔗 Read the full newsletter at bit.ly/IRLEQuarterly 📰 Sign up to receive our next newsletter directly to your inbox: bit.ly/IRLEsign_up

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

UCLA Labor Studies students are learning about logistics and dock workers on a trip to the Port of Los Angeles today

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

📣 UCLA IRLE’s Summer Quarterly newsletter is out now Read recently published research, stories, staff mentions in the news and more 🗞️ Read the full newsletter here bit.ly/IRLEQuarterly Sign up to receive our next newsletter directly to your inbox at bit.ly/IRLEsign_up

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Key worker victory in 2024: 📦Warehouse workers organized with @teamsters.bsky.social and strengthened heat safety requirements Read more: irle.ucla.edu/2025/08/28/c...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Key worker victory in 2024: 🌱Farmworkers organized with @ufw.bsky.social and sought protection from immigration enforcement for victims of labor violations Learn more: irle.ucla.edu/2025/08/28/c...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Key worker victory in 2024: 🍟Fast food workers secured a $20 minimum wage and made their voices heard with @cafastfoodunion.bsky.social Learn more: irle.ucla.edu/2025/08/28/c...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Learn more about California labor’s gains and challenges in 2024 at bit.ly/SOTU-2024

State of the Unions: California Labor in 2024 cover

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

New private-sector organizing in California is concentrated Three unions filed more than half of all new union (RC) petitions in CA in 2024

Figure 2.4 - RC Petitions Filed by Parent Union, California, 2024 (331 total)
This chart shows the percentages of all RC petitions filed in California in 2024, sorted by international union.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Workers and unions held over 200 strikes or protests in CA in 2024 ✊The labor movement is active in California, bolstered by state policies and targeted campaigns

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

California union density is holding steady despite nationwide decline ➡️ Over the past twenty years, union density has remained stable at around 16% while falling to 11% in the US as a whole

Figure 1.1 - Union Density, California and U.S., 1983-2024
Lines show the share of workers who are represented by a union (coverage) or who are members of unions in California and the U.S. For example, in 2024, 16.3% of California workers were represented by a union and 14.5% of California workers were members of unions.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

What are participants taking away from the UCLA SLRC? 💡 Mary Entoma, Ariana Castro, Bianca Agustin, and Mark Brenner share the workshops they found most insightful and how they will be putting their learnings into practice as researchers, organizers, and movement leaders.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Why did participants apply to the UCLA SLRC? 💬 Claudia Preparata (AFSCME 3299), Andrew Eckels (350 Seattle), and Nora Flanagan (Chicago Teachers Union) share what brought them to UCLA earlier this month and why this gathering matters for the labor movement and allied causes.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Marshall Ganz, 2025 UCLA SLRC Keynote and Harvard Kennedy School Senior Lecturer, reflects on the UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference where researchers from across the U.S. built knowledge and solidarity in the labor movement.

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 UCLA Strategic Labor Research Conference! 🙌 Stay connected and join our mailing list to get updates on Strategic Research Lab training camps, events, and other happenings. 📩 irle.ucla.edu/uc-strategic...

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Wrapping up the conference with the Academic Labor Centers & Strategic Research panel! Moderator Saba Waheed (@uclalabor.bsky.social) is joined by Rachel Erstad ( @uwbridgescenter.bsky.social‬), Sara Myklebust (Georgetown University), and Satomi Rash-Zeigler (@ucsdlaborcenter.bsky.social).

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Kicking off the final day of our conference with our Moving from Research to Campaign workshop! Bianca Agustin (@united4respect.bsky.social) and Sara Myklebust (Georgetown University) lead a conversation on how researchers can turn findings into action. 📊✊

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Participants dove into mapping in the Mapping For Research & Organizing workshop to explore how visuals can make complex labor data clearer and more accessible. Among them was Marshall Ganz. 🗺️

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UCLA IRLE @uclairle.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Joel Montano (@challengeineq.bsky.social) shares best practices for following capital through land, how to connect firms to individuals, and how to map out real estate empires. 🏠📊

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