The American Labor Studies Center is celebrating the first-ever Labor History Month with a Labor Film & Music Festival at NYSUT during May.

In a proclamation issued last month, Gov. Paterson designated May as Labor History Month, urging New Yorkers to "reflect on the history and activities of the labor movement in this state and the immeasurable contributions" of its early pioneers.

Since 1981, the state Board of Regents has called on educators to recognize and include the contributions of the American labor movement in school curriculum.

To that end, the labor study center is showing classic labor history films and providing lesson plans and curriculum guides from 7–9 p.m. every Wednesday in May at NYSUT headquarters in Latham. The free events began May 6 with a showing of The Inheritance, featuring music by Pete Seeger, and a panel discussion, including Irwin Yellowitz, a member of the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY and president of the New York State Labor History Association.

May 13 — The movie 10,000 Men Named George portrays the efforts of A. Philip Randolph to form The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. A panel discussion, including Paul Cole, executive director of the Labor Studies Center, will follow.

May 20 — A documentary on Mary Harris "Mother" Jones recalls how she traveled the country to mobilize workers. A live presentation by Peggy Orner will bring "Mother" Jones to life.

May 27 — A celebration of music will be held as part of a program about teaching and organizing with labor songs.

Information on labor history and labor studies curriculum is available at the ALSC's Web site, www.labor-studies.org, in cooperation with NYSUT's national affiliates, the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association.