The Speaker's Commission on Labor Education was established on November 19, 2001 by then Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg. The Commission was created to address issues of labor education in California's public school system. According to Speaker Hertzberg in his letter creating the commission, "students in California's public schools study the strategies and tactics of the business world, yet all too often they fail to learn the vital role that organized labor has played in the state's and nation's history."

The mission statement of the Speaker's Commission on Labor Education provides its rationale:

"The mission of the Speaker's Commission on Labor Education is to promote
and preserve awareness of labor's history and contributions  in California's
education system.  The Commission seeks to increase students' understanding
of our economic system by providing concepts and lessons on the importance of collective bargaining for conflict  resolution between workers and management."

Commission accomplishments include legislation establishing the first week of April as Labor History Week, creation of the California Labor History Map, labor history exhibits displayed throughout the state, and sponsorship of a pamphlet entitled, Work, Money and Power: Unions in the 21st Century.

Today the Commission continues that vision under the leadership of Speaker of the California Assembly Fabian Núñez and Commission Co-Chairs Kent Wong and Fred Glass.