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…

The publication is advice designed to help employers in all schools with staffing and employment issues, and to inform their decision making. It advises on matters contained within the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 for maintained schools and for independent schools, which include academies and free schools, the Education (Independent…

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…

The Supreme Court in "Ellis vs. Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks" has provided a systematic process for determining what constitutes union expenses properly charged to objecting nonmembers. (MLF)

In "Ellis vs. Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks," the Supreme Court clarified the line between permissible and nonpermissible expenses and what procedures must be available to prevent compulsory subsidization of ideological activity by objecting employees. This article also describes the Court's decisions subsequent to…

Wiktor Kulerski, Deputy Minister of Poland's Ministry of Education, and Andrzej Janowski, a Vice-Minister of Education, members of the Solidarity union's teachers branch, discuss their involvement with the union that forced democratic reforms in Poland's Communist government and ensuing changes in the Polish social studies curriculum. (FMW)

Addresses the question of what to do when an organization has an agency shop. Introduces two articles that present, respectively, the views of management and of unions on the subject of agency shop. (MD)

Summarizes problems facing public-sector labor organizations in charging and collecting fair share fees for services rendered to nonmembers. (MD)

According to this author, "unchecked capitalism is destroying the nation's public schools, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is the final nail in their coffin." He argues that, marching under the banner of "accountability," right-wing, pro-business forces are willfully undermining the democratic right of all children to a free,…

Reviews public-sector employers' problems with agency shop agreements from a management perspective. Emphasizes preventative approaches. In negotiating agency fee obligations, employers must anticipate constitutional and labor relations issues. (MD)

This publication is designed to help teachers, nurses and paraprofessionals meet the challenges of dealing with children who have serious medical problems. It contains information on training, health and safety, and legal rights and responsibilities. Specifically, this third edition sets out to accomplish three goals: (1) to educate American…

This monograph by four authors examines the structure and role of teacher unions in the three Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, and analyzes the rapidly changing shape of teacher unionism at the federal level. After an introduction by Andrew Spaull, Robert White, in chapter 2, examines developments within the…

This publication is a status report on faculty contracts and bargaining agents in higher education in the United States for 1991. An introduction summarizes activity across the nation including agents elected, independent agents, decertification, strikes, legislation, first contracts signed, and demographic analysis. A table of faculty contracts…

In this introduction to three articles on collective bargaining the author outlines concerns and questions about the proposition of public referendum as a means of resolving negotiation impasses. (MD)

Recent criticism of education is causing pressure for major educational reform. Change involves significant labor relations implications for both management and unions. Collective bargaining can help if its process and use are understood. (MD)