The Australian labor market in 1992 was characterized by (1) high unemployment; (2) variability across states; (3) long-term unemployment; (4) government focus on infrastructure projects; (5) emphasis on training; and (6) enterprise bargaining in industrial relations. (SK)

A pooled, cross-sectional, time-series analysis of state manufacturing growth rates for 1970-85 indicates that manufacturing growth was influenced by workforce quality, population density, and elements of states' political economies, including state fiscal capacity, organizational capacity of labor, social wage policies, and state…

Defines school-based management as a form of school district organization based on internal growth and development, rather than outside expertise. Roving leadership, an exciting alternative to top-down management, is issue-oriented and shifts responsibility according to key individuals' specific talents, skills, and abilities. Benefits are…

The ratification of a new contract in a school district includes clarifying any contractual language that can be subject to multiple interpretations. In addition, all of the school district's administrators should be trained in proper contract management. (MLF)

Management drive in both higher education and industry is to offer participation to employees but use such participation to increase management control through identifying weak links in a deliberately stressed work situation. Attacks on faculty unions or senates are all part of management's offensive against any control by labor, and also on…

This paper evaluates the Shannon versus Bepko case in which a university employee filed suit in federal court against four individuals in their official capacities as employees of Indiana University-Purdue. Defendants claimed the eleventh amendment barred actions against them in their official capacities. (DB)

Albert Shanker made a significant mark on American political life and altered the politics of education and teacher unionism, though his politics often caused controversy and conflict. Through his long career as a teacher union leader, he helped revolutionize the nation's labor movement and its educational system, utilizing strategies from…

Considers the geographical issues involved in industrial disputes as a means for teaching economic geography. Highlights the 1998 dispute between General Motors (GM) and the United Auto Workers (UAW). Explains how to use the GM/UAW dispute to teach economic geography. Discusses Internet resources. (CMK)

Reviews trends in union organization at private colleges following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision 20 years ago denying bargaining rights to faculty at Yeshiva University (New York). Focuses on a recent decision by a labor official granting bargaining rights to faculty at Manhattan College (New York) and efforts by faculty organizers at Seton…

Interviews and observations in a British clothing factory that introduced a new computer numerical control system and teamwork/empowerment showed that "teamwork" actually meant little worker control over daily work; deployment of workers often disrupted group cohesiveness. Worker responses included increased absence and turnover.…

Since passage of Ohio's Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act of 1984, Ohio public employees have voted to join unions in more than 70% of elections, and 90,584 Ohio public employees gained union representation from 1984 to 1992. Before the establishment of Ohio's multitiered collective bargaining process, which involves intervention by a…

For more than a year the 2.3 million member National Education Association (NEA) and the 900,000 member American Federation of Teachers (AFT) engaged in merger negotiations. The plan was to bring American teachers together in one union for collective bargaining, political action, and education policy. This report gives a detailed picture of the…

This booklet, one in the Education Policy Institute series about teacher union issues, examines issues related to membership in the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Both unions aggressively strive to enroll more members or require teachers to pay agency fees. If teachers want to change union policy,…

The "at-will" rule in American law is defined as the right of a private sector employer to dismiss an employee without a contract for virtually any reason. The rule has thrived since the nineteenth century and is still a major factor in the employer-employee relationship. However, recent court decisions have fashioned common law…

Training problems can be eased by classifying the work force into sectors and making plans to suit each group. Sectors treated in the article include: managers and supervisors, industrial relations specialists, employee representatives, and apprentices and young employees. (MW)