The deadline to apply for the 2024 Harvard Trade Union Program (HTUP) scholarship is Friday, Sept. 15. It’s an opportunity that HTUP alumni like San Francisco, CA Local 798 Secretary Adam Wood (2022) and (2019) say rising IAFF leaders don’t want to miss.
The program packs a semester’s worth of material into an intensive six-week residential session for union leaders. Participants receive high-level leadership training, gain more insight into issues facing the labor movement, and exchange ideas.
“There is useful information for everybody, whether you are a new or seasoned leader within the labor movement,” said Wood. “For me, it was a great way to get ideas from different unions on everything from internal organizing to community outreach.”
McQuilkin agreed. “It was an amazing few weeks on the Harvard University campus. Through the HTUP, I was able to learn key skills essential to running a successful union from the Harvard faculty and labor leaders.”
The program’s organizers take pride in creating a curriculum designed to provide students with the knowledge they need to combat the challenges of the labor movement. The core curriculum includes labor history, negotiations and labor relations, strategic choices for labor union leaders, and legal issues.
“I found the real-world case studies to be quite valuable because I could see which strategies worked, and which didn’t. It was great for improving strategic thinking and planning skills,” said Wood, a 28-year veteran fire fighter.
“If you want to be a strong labor leader, it’s all in the HTUP,”” said McQuilkin, a 17-year veteran fire fighter. “I took away knowledge that strengthened my leadership skills, strategic thinking, and collective bargaining skills.”
The 2024 HTUP is scheduled for Jan. 8-Feb. 9 on the Harvard University campus. The IAFF awards full scholarships to members who demonstrate active participation within their local as an officer, committee member, or other leadership position.
To apply, submit the application form, along with:
- A brief statement of 250 words or more on how you have demonstrated active participation in your local.
- A short essay, of at least 500 words, responding to one of two questions: (1) What is your personal interest in attending the Harvard University Trade Union Program and how will it benefit you professionally? (2) What do you consider to be the major problem(s) facing the professional fire fighter within the labor movement in the United States today?
Applications are due Friday, Sept. 15 to [email protected] or by mail to:
Harvard University Trade Union Program Scholarship
International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
