I think HTUP toughened me as a young woman in a male-dominated field. It challenged me to persevere under sometimes harrowing circumstances. It helped identify my strengths and pointed a path to further growth. I especially loved the international participants in my class.
The HTUP program is the best educational opportunity any trade unionist can have. It brought to me the opportunity to expand my appreciation, not only for the universal trade union experience but also for my desire to understand and defend the role of labor unions in the USA. My experience with the joint MBA candidates at the “B” school was my favorite portion of the HTUP experience. It prepared me well for the rest of my labor career.
Upon returning from HTUP, I accepted a position as an Asst. Director Research & Negotiations at DC37. Since then, I have negotiated various contracts and worked closely with employers and members as we all struggled through the pandemic.
I retired at the start of 2021 after 33 years working for my union and 37 years as a member. At the time of my Harvard class (2002), I was Deputy General Secretary of the Queensland Teachers Union with responsibility for bargaining, research, member services and a few other things.
Until 2009 Head of Research Promotion Department Hans Böckler Foundation Düsseldorf 2009-2019 Deputy Director Eurofound Dublin
HTUP allowed me to meet others who are passionate about labor, from various crafts, and from different geographic locations. As a result of this experience, I realized I wanted to expand my opportunities to represent workers. As such, HTUP was the impetus for me to pursue a J.D.
I was appointed Assistant to the Director of USW District 3 shortly after graduating, and was elected District Director in November 2021, and took officer earlier this year. USW District 3 has 44,000 members in the four western provinces and three territories in Canada.
Sabrina Yow-chyi Liu has been a campaigner and researcher in the United Steelworkers (USW) Strategic Campaigns Department since 2014. She works with members to build power during contract negotiations and in labor disputes.
A couple of the most important things that HTUP gave me were: Context and understanding of what else is happening in the wider world of labor. This came from both the instructors and my fellow students. Great lifelong friendships with others who share the same values.
I went on to serve as the first female Exec Dir of the WA Federation of State Employees, leading in crisis through the coronavirus pandemic and achieving historic gains for public workers in WA.
