Upcoming courses and events

October 19, 2024

Venue TBA – Toronto

Having problems at work and are not sure what to do? Have you heard about unions and want to know how to get started? Do you lack the confidence to talk to your coworkers about forming a union? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the How to Unionize Your Workplace course is for you!

Over two days participants will learn what it takes to go from zero organization at work to a functioning committee of coworkers that can take on the boss and win! Together we will learn and practice the ideas, methods, and skills necessary to build power at work. The course will also feature a general discussion of unions: strengths and weaknesses, potential and limits, and why organizing at work should still matter for those who want a better world.

When: October 19-20 (mid-morning until late afternoon)
Breakfast and lunch to be provided.
Where: Toronto, ON (Downtown – venue TBA)
How much: free/PWYC
Who: Anyone curious about how to organize at work!

Registration deadline: Friday October 4.

Please note that we are currently asking potential participants to register their interest. Space for this pilot version of the course will be limited and selections may be made to ensure a diversity of backgrounds and experience.

Accessibility
The venue will be shared with participants in advance of the course date. The venue will be close to downtown Toronto will have level access and/or an elevator to get to the training space. Please note that this is an in person training and we cannot guarantee all participants will be masked.

Any questions regarding accessibility, participation, or programming can be directed to info@leopanitchschool.ca.

September 25, 2024

Eyesore Cinema, Toronto ON.

The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education and the Socialist Project presents Burn! as the next film in our ongoing FilmSocial  series.

Set in the mid 1800s, Marlon Brando plays British  mercenary Sir William Walker. He is sent by Britain to the fictional  Caribbean island of Queimada. Queimada is a colony of Portugal and Britain is looking to break their control over sugar production on the island. Walker’s mission is to instigate a slave revolt against the Portuguese government under the leadership of dock worker, José Dolores. The uprising is successful, but the rebels reject the new government when it allies itself with the Antilles Royal Sugar Company and Walker must return to put down the rebellion.

Burn! is a 1969 historical drama film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo (The Battle of Algiers). It is the second film in our special series exploring the topic of imperialism. Burn! is set in the time of great historical transformation. When the world was transitioning from colonies, directly controlled by imperial countries, to independent nation-states open to free-trade. The people are promised freedom with their new state, but it quickly becomes clear capitalism cannot live up to its ideals.

The film will be followed by a short presentation and general discussion on the politics and implications of the film’s subject today.

September 9, 2024

Venue TBA – Toronto

The Leo Panitch School is very pleased to announce that we’ll be supporting a brand new course titled Fighting to Win: Social Struggles, Containment, and Effective Resistance. It’s been developed by John Clarke, former Ontario Coalition Against Poverty organizer and Packer Visitor in Social Justice at York University. The course is intended for burgeoning community and union activists and will run over 12 weeks beginning September 9, 2024.

We are very proud to have the chance to play a supporting role and promote what will surely be an incredible opportunity to learn from one of Ontario’s most effective and prolific activists!

Please check out John’s excellent blog post for more background on the course.

Anyone interested in participating is invited to register their interest via the button below!