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Mission of the Center for Labor Studies

The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies supports a network of scholars in cutting-edge research, education, and outreach about work, workers and their organizations.

The Center engages students in labor studies through courses and field work. We promote connections between students, faculty, and labor communities locally and around the world, and inform policy makers about issues confronting workers.

Harry Bridges Chair
in Labor Studies

James Gregory, Harry Bridges Endowed Chair in Labor Studies.

The Harry Bridges Chair is a position held by a full professor in the disciplines of History or Political Science from any of the UW campuses. The Chair rotates among nominated faculty, and is held for a two year, renewable term. During his or her tenure, the Chair is the leader of all the activities undertaken by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, and the particular emphasis of those activities emerges from the Chair's area of expertise.

For more about the current Chair click here.

Contact the Center at

Reverend James Lawson

During Black History Month 2008, February 25-27, Reverend James Lawson visited Tacoma, WA to engage in scholarly work and dialogue with students, faculty and the religious and labor community.

Two of his talks are now available on-line in streaming video.

»Where Do We Go From Here? Forty Years Since Martin Luther King, Jr.

»Dialogue on Philosophy and Practice of Nonviolence

State Governor Chris Gregoire delivers her keynote address

A report on the June 21, 2008 Good, Green Jobs conference

In 1999, labor leaders and environmentalists, united by their common opposition to the policies of the World Trade Organization, came together to form the Blue-Green Alliance. On June 21st, 2008 at the University of Washington, the Blue-Green Alliance brought these two groups together again, this time with a common vision, for the Good, Green Jobs conference.

Co-hosted by the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, the conference posed the question of working people in new "green" industries. From the carpenters and plumbers who renovate houses to meet environmental standards, to the roofers who install solar-panels, to the many other trades and professions: how can these green-industry jobs benefit the working class, and pay good, family-supporting wages?

Political officials attended the conference to lend their support, including Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, State representative Jay Inslee, and King County Executive Ron Sims.

Now, the hard work of answering that question continues on beyond the conference. The Bridges Center spoke with a few members of labor and low-income communities who attended the conference to learn what they see as the challenges ahead on the road to good jobs in the new green industries. »READ MORE

Good, Green Jobs Conference - Now on-line!

Streaming video of the Good, Green Jobs conference can be viewed courtesy of TVW.

»Part 1 Welcome by Professor Gregory; morning address by King County Executive Ron Sims; panel discussion on the topic of "Ahead of the Curve: Washington State's Clean Energy and Green Jobs."

»Part 2 Introduction by WA State Labor Council President Rick Bender; keynote address by Governor Chris Gregoire.

For information on how to order your own copy of the conference on DVD, visit the TVW website, or contact the Bridges Center at pcls@u.washington.edu.