Asked elementary and middle school principals in Oregon to identify barriers to dealing effectively with inadequately performing teachers. Findings show that principals believe teacher unions to be the biggest barrier, with the union representative more often to blame than the union contract. Principals also identify the time required to engage in…

A rural Colorado school district moved from confrontation to collaboration through interest-based bargaining. Trained negotiators on each side present important issues, but no solutions. Group members work together to uncover facts, develop solutions and alternatives, and analyze each proposed solution's benefits and consequences. Finally, the…

As enrollment growth at Oregon Graduate Institute drew more people to the campus, the need for a central gathering place became clear. An old science building was rehabilitated with a first-floor kitchen, dining areas, plus 2 50- to 60-student classrooms. Renamed the Wilson Clark Center for Lifelong Learning, students and faculty now have a…

Describes faculty's efforts to unionize at Sage Colleges in Troy, New York, including legal hurdles (the Supreme Court's decision in National Labor Relations Board v. Yeshiva University), reasons cited by faculty for the union effort, and administrative reaction. (EV)

Provides reflections on the Association of College Unions International's goal regarding community-building. Discusses ideas of community, the role that college unions play as community builders, and some challenges the profession faces if it is to realize the association's goal. (EV)

Describes the difficult working conditions faced by immigrants to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, looking at child labor situations and highlighting the development of strikes and the early efforts of labor unions. Two sidebars present a poem on the subject and suggested class discussions, writing assignments, and projects.…

To provide a better sense of how academic unions handle a strike situation, examines six unions who, between 1996 and 2000, went through strikes. Discusses the key issues and outcomes of the strikes. (EV)

Examines John Dewey's work, as well as research from alumni, employers, and the literature, to support the claim that college students who participate in college union and extracurricular activities develop better career and community leadership skills. (EV)

Using the Oglesby Union at Florida State University in Tallahassee as an example, explores what students today expect from activity centers (for example, in terms of technology) and how facilities should change to accommodate students' activities. (EV)

Using a sample of workers displaced by plant closings, a study attempted to reduce error bias in estimates of unions' effect on earnings. When estimations use the entire sample, longitudinal estimates are similar to those of cross-sectional regressions. When skill groups are estimated separately, unions have a positive effect for workers with low…

The labor movement matured in industries that required rote work. Now the workplace demands a higher level of education. To revitalize the labor movement, unions should reconsider the role of education and training. (SK)

Trade unions in Botswana have been weakened by legislation. Many union members are not aware of adult education opportunities. Adult educators from basic to continuing and higher education levels can help empower organizations of civil society, including unions. (SK)

Explores three examples of benchmarking by college student unions. Focuses on how a union can collect information from other unions for use as benchmarking standards for the purposes of selling a concept or justifying program increases, or for comparing a union's financial performance to other unions. (EV)

Describes the training at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, the foremost nuclear energy and environmental laboratory in the United States. Suggests that the key to assurance is getting workers, most of whom are unionized, involved in their own safety training. (JOW)

A case study of Canada's telecommunications industry found the union engaged in education and research that helped build the potential for workplace democracy. However, scarce resources for these activities and management concerns about worker empowerment constrained progressive change. (SK)