Supported by the Carnegie Foundation and other allies, teacher unions are now demanding that teachers take over the nation's schools and run them without management interference. Teachers need "enablement" more than empowerment, as seen in the case of Rochester, New York. (MLH)

When labor, management, and literacy educators collaborate to develop a learner-centered literacy program, literacy educators must be willing to learn about the work and lives of industrial workers. The Academy at Eastern Michigan University is an alternative to traditional adult basic education that engages adults in collaborative learning.…

Discusses a survey of firms undergoing various stages of modernization and assesses the attitudes of those who will be directly involved with productivity-enhancing changes in the work environment. States that management and labor must work toward improved work environment if the United States is to regain its share of the world market for…

Ohio's experiences in the areas of "voluntary" certification, mandatory scope of bargaining, remedies for refusals to bargain, grandfathering, mixed-motive discharges, and clear-and-present-danger strikes have been troublesome. However, the state's experience with agency shop agreements and deferral to arbitration has been sound. (MLF)

Responds to David Cameron's "More than an Academic Question" and to the review by Barbara Anderson disagreeing with Cameron's suggestion that democratization and decentralization were a mistake, and arguing for collective bargaining. The paper counters Cameron's support of the continuation of mandatory retirement with reference to the…

Examines how union policies regarding training have developed to confront the problems of workers with low skill levels. Looks at the findings of a comparative study of policies in France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy. (JOW)

Examines teachers' union activity in large school districts in the 11 states without collective-bargaining legislation, using a supply-and-demand model of municipal labor markets and least-squares regression analysis. Average teacher salary in districts with collective-bargaining agreements was 9.5% higher than average salary in districts without…

A survey shows that California's charter-schools movement is being shaped by the special features of the state's charter law--exclusive local oversight and ambiguous legal status. Each school must negotiate how it handles its local school board, teachers' unions, and lack of start-up funding and technical assistance. Most charter schools seek…

Summarizes school-choice developments in several states and outlines various choice categories (intradistrict, interdistrict, and controlled). Discusses privatization efforts, the effects of choice, and the role of parental involvement, competition and productivity, regulations, bureaucracies, educational finance, unions, and implications for…

Data from employers of 324 pregnant women show that firm size and unionization are powerful determinants of formal benefits. However, informal family concessions, dependent on supervisor cooperation, are less likely to occur. Self-employment was not especially conducive to schedule flexibility, leave, or child care access. (SK)

The biggest obstacle to democratic access to literature is cultural fear. Adult education may be an effective means of dispersing fear and ensuring common ownership of a cultural heritage. (SK)

Five comparative data traps repeatedly come up during school negotiation sessions: (1) average salary comparisons; (2) vague salary comparisons; (3) low master's guide; (4) considering salary only; and (5) comparing benefits. Provides examples and outlines a defense against these data traps. (MLF)

Hiring private contractors to manage school support services, such as food, maintenance, and busing, is a growing trend. Companies such as Marriott Corp., ServiceMaster, ARA Services, and Laidlaw Transit report that school business is steadily increasing. Unions staunchly oppose privatization. This article balances advantages and disadvantages,…

Provides a history of cooperation between the progressive farm movement and organized labor. Discusses the prospects for continued cooperation, the impacts of corporate-controlled farm policy, and priorities of the progressive farm movement. (LZ)

Results of a survey of 500 Western Australia residents (76 percent response) showed general acceptance of employee participation in organizational decision making, especially regarding health, safety, and physical conditions. Less agreement existed regarding decisions about fellow workers. Opinions varied by sex, union membership, and employment…