Faculty of Arts

Labour Studies Program

Gain a broad interdisciplinary learning experience with real-life applications. Examine many aspects of work and society, including how job markets work, how workplaces are changing, laws and regulations, unions, human rights and more.

Our faculty and staff
Diverse group of people with different jobs standing together.

News and events

  • A woman standing in a grassy area with two rows of large white flagpoles on either side of her.

  • Labour studies graduate rises above barriers

    The drive to learn and lead helps student overcome accessibility challenges

    After working for almost a decade as a labour relations specialist, Jennifer Breddam [BA(Adv)/2025] returned to university in the fall of 2020 as a result of challenging circumstances – she had experienced a catastrophic spinal injury that removed her from the workforce. COVID-19 remote studies allowed her to attend classes from the comfort of her home while she was recovering. This spring she will graduate with a major in labour studies and a minor in Indigenous Studies, a triumph she will celebrate at the June 4 convocation.

    Read the full article on UM Today

  • Red Flags: A Reckoning with Communism for the Future of the Left

    By David Camfield, Professor of Labour Studies and Sociology 

    Congratulations to Dr. David Camfield on the publication of Red Flags. Red Flags (Fernwood Publishing) is an anti-capitalist, anti-authoritarian introduction to the history of the USSR, China, and Cuba that asks: Were they actually on the road to communism? Red Flags traces the path from the 1917 Russian Revolution to the construction of the world’s first "actually existing socialism" society: the USSR. It also looks at the post-revolution societies created along the same lines in China and Cuba. Using the intellectual tools of historical materialism, Red Flags argues that they were not in fact moving towards communism because the social relations remained fixed in class exploitation. The workers were never liberated. This book offers an analysis of the contradictions and uneasy truths the left needs to confront if it is to build a genuinely liberatory alternative to capitalism.

  • A man holding a book in front of his stomach, smiling at the camera.

  • The Conversation Canada:
    Canada Post strike highlights labour struggle over gig economy and precarious work

    Dr. Adam King

    The union is seeking wage increases, secure pensions and safe working conditions, but the strike is about much more than just the pay and benefits of postal workers.

    Rather, the issue animating this dispute is the growth of gig work and other forms of precarious labour across the private delivery sector, and consequently, the sustainability of Canada Post in the face of this low-cost competition.

    The strike raises important questions about how Canada should respond to the growth of the gig economy, at Canada Post and across the broader economy.

    Read the article

  • Postal worker leaning in to a Canada Post van to grab mail.

    Credit: The Canadian Press

Programs of study

Image of man in suit selecting an icon in front of him.

Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies

Courses address the field of work from an interdisciplinary perspective including economics, management, history, political studies, sociology, psychology, Indigenous studies and women’s and gender studies. Students may pursue a 3-year general program or a 4-year advanced program. A co-op education program is a component of the Advanced degree option.
Silhouette of man running with a briefcase in his hand.

Diploma in Labour Relations and Workplace Studies

This program is of interest to private and public sector employees, labour union members and officials, employers and industrial relations practitioners who would benefit from a broad, basic, university-based education in labour relations and workplace studies. It provides students with the understanding and skills to conduct better labour and industrial relations. Courses are offered in a format available to working people.

Student resources and opportunities

As a Labour Studies undergraduate student, you can take advantage of opportunities and supports from academic focus areas to student groups.

LABR 4510 and 4520 - Labour studies field placement courses

Take advantage of the Labour Studies field placement courses to gain valuable work experience and networking opportunities in unions, professional associations, community-based organizations, government departments and agencies, private sector companies and more.

Students take LABR 4510 and LABR 4520 concurrently. LABR 4510 is the seminar portion in which each student will relate theory and practice. LABR 4520 is the placement portion where the student will work in the field.

Undergraduate research awards (URA)

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to work with our leading faculty researchers and gain valuable experience. 

Hannah Guenther-Wexler didn’t let a lack of in-person research activities dampen her enthusiasm as she searched newspapers, periodicals and archival collections for pieces of Manitoba history.

The third-year political studies student in the Faculty of Arts was a 2021 Undergraduate Research Award (URA) recipient and worked under the supervision of Dr. Julia Smith, an assistant professor in labour studies. Together, their research shed light on the importance of strike action in advancing gender equality in the workplace.

Learn more an apply for a UM URA

Writing tutor

The Labour Studies program funds a writing tutor to work directly with labour studies students. Tutor sessions will begin again in Fall 2022. Check back here for information on how to book an appointment.

Student resource room

All Labour Studies students and other students enrolled in Labour Studies courses are invited to use the Labour Studies resource room at 115 Isbister.

The resource room has a small library and is a quiet space for studying and reading. If the door is locked, please check with Rina Orlov, Program Assistant during office hours.

The books and other materials in the Labour Studies resource room are for use in the room only. Please do not remove them from 115 Isbister.

Further studies (graduate and professional programs)

Graduates of Labour Studies are welcomed into law schools across Canada and Industrial Relations and Labour Studies programs including:

  • McMaster University (Hamilton)
  • University of Toronto
  • Queen's University (Kingston)

Labour Studies Students Association (LABSSA)

LABSSA presents talks to explore research, graduate studies and careers. They also offer fun events to help students connect.

Events and membership are open to any student interested in fairness and equality in workplaces, not just students doing an advanced major, major or minor in Labour Studies.

Follow LABSSA on Instagram

Explore your career options in Labour Studies

Graduates of the advanced major program have careers as:

  • health and safety educators and officers
  • human resources staff
  • immigrant services agency staff
  • union representatives, researchers and organizers 
  • employment standards officers
  • lawyers
  • worker advocates 
  • various positions in government

Others work as lawyers, in social agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or businesses.

Meet some of our Labour Studies alumni

Get the information you need for academic planning and connect with experiences to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes that employers are seeking.

View the Labour Studies Career Compass

Financial aid and awards

Learn about scholarships, bursaries and awards given to students who best meet the requirements.

Charles Biesick Memorial Scholarship

In memory of Charles Biesick, longtime editor of the Manitoba Commonwealth, his friends and associates have established an award fund at UM. Established in 1985.

Each year, one scholarship will be offered to an undergraduate student who:

  1. is enrolled full-time (minimum 60 per cent course load) in the second year of study or higher in a general major, advanced major or minor program in Labour Studies;
  2. has achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0; and
  3. has successfully completed at least six credit hours in the Labour Studies Program with a grade of C+ or higher.

John Urkevich Memorial Bursary in Labour Studies

The bursary provides financial support to undergraduate students in the Labour Studies program who have demonstrated a commitment to local union and/or labour issues. The bursary is for a part-time or full-time student in the second year of study or higher with a declared major or minor in Labour Studies in the Faculty of Arts who has achieved a minimum degree GPA of 2.5 and has demonstrated financial need.

Manitoba Unions Indigenous Student Bursary in Labour Studies

The Manitoba Unions Indigenous Bursary in Labour Studies has been established to support Indigenous students who are pursing post-secondary education in the Labour Studies department at UM, with the goal of creating more pathways for Indigenous students to pursue opportunities in the labour movement. 

A bursary valued at $5000 will be offered to an undergraduate student who:

  1. has self-declared as a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit person from Canada
  2. is enrolled part-time or full-time in either the General Major program or the Advanced major program in Labour Studies in the Faculty of Arts
  3. has completed a minimum of 9 credit hours of Labour Studies courses
  4. has achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 2.5, and
  5. has demonstrated financial need on the standard UM general bursary application form

Application deadline - October 1

People's Co-op Award

The Wind-Up Committee of the People's Co-operative Limited established a fund at the Winnipeg Foundation to support an annual award to encourage and reward interest and excellence in progressive labour studies, including co-operatives. The fund was established as a legacy to the Co-operatives immigrant founders, who saw education as an important aim of the Co-op (1928-1992). The first award was given in 2001.

The award is for a student in either a general major or advanced major in Labour Studies who has successfully completed at least 9 credit hours in courses leading toward the degree and has demonstrated proficiency in and commitment to progressive labour studies. Preference in selection shall be given to students whose work includes a study of the role/contribution of co-operatives and/or application of co-operative principles.

Tom Paci Labour Studies Bursary

In memory of Thomas Patrick Paci [B.A.(Hons.)/1982, M.A./1988], friends and family established an endowment fund at UM in 2024. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support to students studying labour studies who have demonstrated a commitment to local union and/or labour issues. Each year, beginning in 2025-2026, the available annual income from the fund will be used to offer two bursaries to undergraduate students who:

  1. are enrolled part-time or full-time in the second year of study or higher with a declared major or minor in labour studies in the Faculty of Arts,
  2. have achieved a minimum degree grade point average of 2.5,
  3. in the opinion of the selection committee, have demonstrated a commitment to local union and/or labour issues, and
  4. have demonstrated financial need on the standard UM general bursary application form.

Candidates will be required to provide a letter (maximum 500 words) outlining their commitment to local union and/or labour issues. Letters are to be submitted by email to the Coordinator of the Labour Studies Program.

Application deadline - October 1

William Robert Kernaghan Memorial Scholarship in Labour Studies

This award is for a full-time student in the Faculty of Arts with excellent academic standing who is enrolled in the major or advanced major of the Labour Studies program and has completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of Labour Studies courses.

William Robert Kernaghan Memorial Bursary in Labour Studies

The bursary, established in 2014 by William Robert Kernaghan [BA/02], supports undergraduate students in the Labour Studies program. The bursary is for a full-time student in the Faculty of Arts with good academic standing who has completed a minimum of 9 credit hours in the Labour Studies program and has demonstrated financial need.

Labour Studies resources

Access library information, media and industry associations.

UM labour studies liaison librarian

Labour/Le Travail, the journal of Canadian labour studies

Canadian Association for Work and Labour Studies

Our alumni

Labour Studies alum, Abdulrazaki Abu.

Abdulrazaki Abu
Diploma 2015, BA (Advanced) 2018

Consultant, Labour Relations
City of Ottawa

"The LS program was my gateway to unlimited opportunities in the Canadian labour market and the networks I built remain steadfast. My fourth year internship at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission continues to aid my career."
Photo of Labour Studies Alum Bea Bruske speaking at a podium in front of a blue background.

Bea Bruske
BA 1991

President
Canadian Labour Congress

“The degree gave me the opportunity to understand the broader context of the labour movement as a whole, the history of labour and that we are part of a larger movement. I learned practical things like how labour councils worked and what federations of labour are. It’s well rounded knowledge that I use today.”
Watch an interview with Bruske
Headshot of Labour Studies alum Hafiz Jatto in front of a white background.

Hafiz Jatto
BA 2022

Migrant Worker Project Coordinator
Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations

"The combination of historical analysis classes on Canada's labour movement, and practical worker advocacy instruction-for example, on the Worker's Compensation Board (WCB) claims review process or emerging strategies for affirming workers' rights in Canada-provided a balanced and analytical approach to the study of work and worker organizing. Through this multidisciplinary liberal arts education, I have gained an understanding of the socio-economic and socio-political contexts that shape work today and developed the skills necessary to work collaboratively with peers across the country committed to improving conditions and life outcomes for racialized and low-income workers in Canada."
Labour Studies alum, Amy McGowan.

Amy McGowan
BA 2011

Intake & Office Coordinator
Community Unemployed Help Centre

"Labour Studies can open the doors to many career paths."
Labour Studies alum, Fareedah Sulaiman.

Fareedah Sulaiman-Olokodana
BA (Advanced) 2022, Co-op option

Advocate
Community Unemployed Help Centre

"Through my courses, my internship, volunteer work and co-op, I saw myself evolve as a student and a professional. I feel truly blessed that I was able to learn in an environment where you are challenged to view the world differently and think critically without the pressure of being expected to know things the way society expects you too."
Learn more about Sulaiman-Olokodana
Headshot of Labour Studies alumni Gwen Suprovich sitting at desk chair.

Gwen Suprovich
BA (Advanced) 2014

Union representative
Unifor Local 191

"This degree set me up for success in my career. It offers a balance between practical and philosophical approaches. I learned skills directly related to what I do in my day-to-day job like how to interpret legislation and how to negotiate. Plus, bigger picture issues like how globalization has impacted the workforce and how women have drastically shifted the working world."
Hear Gwen's academic and career story
Labour Studies alum, Abdulrazaki Abu.
Photo of Labour Studies Alum Bea Bruske speaking at a podium in front of a blue background.
Headshot of Labour Studies alum Hafiz Jatto in front of a white background.
Labour Studies alum, Amy McGowan.
Labour Studies alum, Fareedah Sulaiman.
Headshot of Labour Studies alumni Gwen Suprovich sitting at desk chair.
C P H R Manitoba logo

CPHR Accreditation

After graduating with a BA in Labour Studies, students who want to work in the field of Human Resources can begin the professional certification process for the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation.

Graduates who choose to pursue the CPHR designation may be eligible for a waiver from the National Knowledge Exam (NKE). Applications must be made within five years of graduation.

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Contact us

Labour Studies Program
115 to 119 Isbister Building
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

labour_studies@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8356
204-474-7869
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Friday 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.