Instructor–Working Class History
MRLF Political Director
David Gilbert-Pederson is an organizer, facilitator and the Political Director of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation. David was born in the Philippines and raised on the Southside of Minneapolis, where he attended South High School. He started working in politics at the early age of 12. His first campaign was the Wellstone Campaign and he was hooked. Since then, he's worked on everything from Park Board, City Council & Mayoral Races in Minneapolis and Chicago to the Obama Campaign.
David first got involved in labor organizing when he fought for a fair contract for U of M clerical workers, and he believes that we can't change the world without the power of workers. David has worked on contract campaigns for educators, nurses, janitors, and security officers. David left Minnesota for a year and a half to work in Wisconsin during the height of the Budget Repair Bill Protests, Capitol Occupation, and Walker Recall. He’s also worked with the Chicago Teachers Union during their 2012 Strike and fighting against privatization.
David was the chair of Rep. Ilhan Omar's campaign for the Minnesota House, and is currently the Chair of her Congressional Campaign. When he isn't organizing, he collects campaign swag (he owns over 1000 political and labor buttons), goes to hip hop shows, and plots with his friends. David is excited to join New Brookwood to co-teach Working Class History with Peter Rachleff.