The Labor Guild

The Labor Guild is an incredible resource in Massachusetts for the Labor Movement. This ecumencial organization is sponsored by the Archodiocese of Boston. The organization's members include more than 1,600 labor relations activists including union members, officers, corporate staff, arbitrators, mediators, academics, attorneys, and regulatory personnel who have come together to support healthy employee relations.  The Labor Guild operates the following programs:

• The School of Labor Relations - New England's oldest continuing labor education center.
• The Gavin Labor-Management Center - This center holds six rooms - complete with resources such as the internet - for negotiations, arbitration hearings, and organizational meetings.
• Labor-Management elections - The Labor Guild provides  administration of contract ratification, bargaining unit representation elections, and oversees elections of union officers and delegates.
• The Labor Guild also publishes and distributes a comprehensive guide to workplace rights titled Your Rights on the Job - A Practical Guide to Employment Laws in Massachusetts.

Click here to learn about the Labor Guild's history. The Labor Guild's first formation came about in the early 1940s when members of the Machinists and of the IBEW formed an association known as the 409 Club. The group officially became The Labor Guild in 1946, but at first only served Catholics. During the 1960s, the program expanded to include anyone committed to achieving good labor relations.  In 1970, Father Ed Boyle joined the program working with Fr. Mort Gavin, and under their leadership the program expanded to include union elections and specialized seminars. Fr. Ed Boyle passed away in 2007, and Sister Mary Priniski worked with Paul Hannon overseeing the program in the interim. The Labor Guild has now begun a new chapter with Fr. Pat Sullivan who joined in the Spring of 2009.