This article examines the postdoctoral unionization movement at the University of California (UC) using case study methodology. More specifically, we examine postdoctoral union organizers involved in the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW) Local 5810, focusing on their efforts to unionize postdoctoral employees at the UC. The study is…

When California legislators passed the California Charter School Act of 1992, it allowed parents the choice of sending their children to public charter schools, places where teachers would have more autonomy and where schools faced exemptions from state education codes and from collective bargaining contracts. Hope Charter School (a pseudonym;…

In times of limited resources, the likelihood of difficult negotiations between labor and management may increase even in the best of school districts. The negotiation process can range from traditional to positional to competitive to a more collaborative and cooperative interest-based approach. The most productive approach is a matter of debate…

Using data from two integrated steel-making sites, variation in the process and outcomes of workplace restructuring was studied. Four union capabilities were critical to success in negotiating with management over workplace restructuring: ability to access information, educate members, communicate with management, and access decision making at…

The attitudes among social workers toward labor unions are a topic of significance. Historically, social workers have had an ambivalent relationship with unions. This article analyzes the extent to which unions matter to social workers and whether unions represent the interests of professional social workers. The relationship between social work…

The study revealed the degree of influence of the local teacher membership, state affiliate union, and teacher negotiator on decisions concerning working conditions and agreements. Data strongly suggested that the local teacher membership, the state affiliate union, and the teacher negotiator had influenced decision making concerning working…

A study was conducted of employee reactions to work teams, reduced job classification, and skill-based pay established by an agreement between Chrysler and the United Auto Workers. Attitudes were more negative in plants threatened by closure, but individuals in those plants engaged in more team behaviors. Responses varied by demography and…

Analyzes the provisions of recent negotiation agreements focusing on effects of technological developments in banking and insurance; general provisions; procedural provisions; and substantive provisions relating to job security, early retirement, working hours, retraining, downgrading, severance pay, and safety and health. (Author/SK)

Between 1981 and 1984, during the budgetary crisis of the European Community, significant negotiations were held between the Ten in connection with the reform of the European Social Fund. At the same time, there was a major political change in France: the left--led by Francois Mitterrand--came to power. In the social field, Francois Mitterrand had…

In January 1982, the University of Massachusetts faculty union demanded the termination of nondues-paying faculty members. Dissenters argue that dues (for equivalent sum) conflicts with tenure rights/academic freedom; union leaders see it as a threat to union security. Issues and tensions related to bargaining at the university are discussed. (JN)

Outlines a study of the use of "control gains" in collective bargaining contracts of teacher unions in Ohio. Control gains are contract items that give unions control over some aspect of the work environment in lieu of financial gains. They can be offered in contract negotiations when school boards have limited funds. (MD)

This article records and assesses developments in relations between employers and academic staff in British polytechnic institutes and colleges. It focuses on the conditions of service and contracts of employment for lecturers. It also analyzes to what extent these issues are symptomatic of a shift in the employee relations strategy of schools…

This paper examines and assesses the behavioral content of industrial relations research in a variety of social science disciplines. The authors compare economic research on the wage and productivity consequences of unionism with psychological research on worker attitudes toward unions, sociological research on the negotiation process and conflict…