In "The Courage to Collaborate," school turnaround expert Ken Futernick makes the case that collaboration between school management and teacher unions is a necessary condition for educational improvement. The author cites evidence showing that collaboration often leads to increased trust, stronger professional relationships, better…

Communities across the country are grappling with different approaches to improving their schools. Introducing or expanding charter schools is one of the approaches that states and school districts have considered or implemented. Charter schools serve more than 5 percent of public school students nationwide and make up close to 7 percent of all…

This book contains 16 units with 1 to 6 lessons per unit. A wide range of subject areas regarding workers and organized labor are addressed with lessons for both primary and secondary education levels. Though the focus is predominantly on grades 1-6, the curriculum can be modified to apply to various grade levels. Unit titles include: (1) "Child…

The resource guide provides teachers with background materials and references for teaching labor history. Sections include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Curricula and Guides"; (3) "Exemplary Labor in the Schools Programs"; (4) "Teacher Training Programs"; (5) "Guest Speakers and Adopt-A-School Programs"; (6) "Student Readings"; (7) "Teacher Readings";…

This kit is designed to help labor union members or others interested in workplace issues to make successful visits to elementary and secondary school classrooms. The slide program lasts approximately 45 minutes and does not require an expert in teaching or labor history background. Suggestions on whom to approach within the school in order to…

Recent trends that affect the U.S. system of industrial relations are examined. The most important of these is internationalization. The U.S. industrial relations system is compared with that of Europe and Japan, and suggestions for improving our competitiveness in international markets are made. (Author/RM)

This booklet is part of a series of units designed to help students take and defend a position on public issues. The booklet is premised on the idea that the study of how various labor-related conflicts were resolved in the past can throw light on the problem of how they ought to be resolved here and now. That is why this particular unit looks at…

One of a series of units designed to help secondary students understand business issues, this packet focuses on the role of organized labor in the business world. Teacher and student materials are provided in two separate sections. The teacher's guide contains five detailed lesson plans, suggestions for follow-up activities, definitions of…

This pamphlet provides information necessary to analyze existing grievance procedures and sets forth principles to guide the formulation of a more effective grievance process. The introduction defines the grievance procedure in a contractual contest, describes its benefits to management, union members, and private citizens; and briefly reviews key…

Presents a 22-item annotated bibliography on labor history, comprised mostly of book-length studies covering the subjects of colonial history, slavery and race, 19th century industrialism, gender, 20th century/ new labor history, and theoretical perspectives. The works include new perspectives along with established classics. (MJP)

This comprehensive guide to the procedures and techniques of collective bargaining contains information on all phases of negotiations: the process, the players, preparation, face-to-face bargaining, impasse resolution procedures, and contract administration. It is predicated on the view that school board members and administrators should master…

This curriculum/lesson plan outline for the labor section of an economics program consists of three units. The objective stated for this labor section is to understand the role of labor and wages in the economy. Unit 1 on labor as one of the four factors of production covers the role of labor, wages and their determination, the effects of outside…

Provides an introduction and overview to the publication "Labor's Heritage." Modeled after "American Heritage," this publication serves as an excellent resource for students and teachers. Includes three activities on child labor that use photographs and other materials from the George Meany Memorial Archives. (MJP)

Intended as a resource for secondary teachers, this book analyzes the role of unions in the American economy and examines the main forces influencing unions in the United States. This second edition includes important domestic and external events that have affected U.S. economic policy and unions since the first edition was published in 1976.…

This book was designed to help school administrators, board members, and teachers improve effectiveness and cooperation at the bargaining table. It charts the history of collective bargaining and discusses changes now taking place in education that will likely affect negotiations. Following the overview of collective-bargaining history in chapter…