In the face of increased efforts on the part of conservatives nationwide to weaken union influence, labor leaders are turning to more grassroots efforts to educate and organize workers. One of these efforts is the so-called Troublemakers School in Pasadena, described as "part instruction, part pep rally", in which workers learn about union organizing and labor laws, and hear war stories from speakers who have fought employers for better pay, benefits, and working conditions. Hoping to build on the momentum from recent protests in Wisconsin and elsewhere, leaders are trying to reach unionized and non-union workers alike to raise awareness and involvement in labor issues. The Troublemaker School is among six such programs across the country.
See "Learning how to be a union activist", Alana Samuels, Los Angeles Times, July 5, 2011