The University of Manitoba campuses and research spaces are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Dene and Inuit, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, R3T 2N2
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.
Canada does a poor job of gathering labour relations information. In a period of rising inequality and renewed workplace conflict, stakeholders need better data.
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.
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.
As a Labour Studies undergraduate student, you can take advantage of opportunities and supports from academic focus areas to student groups.
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 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.
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.
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.
Graduates of Labour Studies are welcomed into law schools across Canada and Industrial Relations and Labour Studies programs including:
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.
Graduates of the advanced major program have careers as:
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.
Learn about scholarships, bursaries and awards given to students who best meet the requirements.
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:
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.
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:
Application deadline - October 1
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.
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:
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
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.
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.
Access library information, media and industry associations.
UM labour studies liaison librarian
Labour/Le Travail, the journal of Canadian labour studies
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.
David Camfield
116 Isbister Building
204-474-6160
David.Camfield@umanitoba.ca
Labour Studies Program
115 to 119 Isbister Building
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
