District Council 16 recently hosted an intensive three-day Organizer and Bootcamp in Livermore, designed to identify and train the next wave of union organizers. The invitation to apply sought candidates with a strong work ethic, leadership potential, and an unwavering commitment to strengthening labor standards. From the initial request for resumes to final interviews, the Bootcamp process was extremely demanding.

The Bootcamp kicked off on the evening of March 7 with a six-hour session focused on expectations, public speaking, and the fundamentals of organizing. Participants immediately faced their first challenge— delivering a one-minute introduction speech for evaluation. From there, they dove into Organizing 101, learning the role and responsibilities of an organizer, followed by intensive communication skills training. The evening culminated in role-playing exercises and active listening drills, setting the tone for the rigorous days ahead.

Day two started properly at 7:00 AM with a grueling schedule that ran past 11:00 PM. Participants refined their public speaking with three-minute speeches before diving into critical research tactics, labor laws, and bottom-up campaign strategies. They engaged in hands-on house-calling exercises, role-playing real-world organizing scenarios. The day’s second half focused on marketing the union, cold-calling potential allies, and contractor meeting simulations. The night ended with an intense team-building exercise testing participants’ ability to make strategic group decisions under pressure.

By the third and final day, exhaustion was setting in, but the demands didn’t let up. The morning began with leadership training, followed by deep dives into case studies and action plans. Teams were then tasked with developing and presenting a comprehensive campaign strategy based on real-world scenarios. This exercise required participants to analyze contractor profiles, conduct a SWOT analysis, and perform live role-plays, simulating everything from worker contacts to contractor negotiations. The day wrapped up with a final debrief, reinforcing the importance of taking these lessons back to the membership and continuing to grow as leaders.

While completing the Bootcamp was a major accomplishment, it was just one step in the hiring process. DC16 leadership emphasized patience as they move forward with interviews, expected to take place in late March through April. Candidates were reminded that whether hired or not, the knowledge and discipline gained over the weekend were invaluable tools for advancing their union careers.

DC16’s commitment to developing strong, capable organizers was evident throughout the Bootcamp. It was not just a training event—it was a proving ground. Those who endured the grueling three-day challenge left stronger, sharper, and ready to contribute to the union’s ongoing fight for workers’ rights.

The role of an Organizer is vital in strengthening labor standards, advocating for workers’ rights, expanding Union Market Share, and fighting for fairness in the workplace within the IUPAT trades. They are essential to our Union and to the Labor Movement. Thank you to our Director of Organizing, Lance Ryken, for hosting and producing an amazing Bootcamp, we look forward to what the next wave of Organizers will accomplish.