Australian higher education institutions must recognize the areas in which responsibility for decision making rests with collegiality and where it rests with faculty unions. Both have valid roles within the university community, but they should not overlap. Salary decisions should also be decentralized to preserve institutional autonomy and…

Student activities programing, viewed as essential to the college experience, is defended by outlining some of the values and growth opportunities it provides for students. Several specific programing strategies useful as catalysts in values development are described, including values clarification exercises, multicultural programing, and…

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…

The legal risks taken by an institution in sponsoring outdoor activities are discussed, drawing on decisions in court litigation. Topics addressed include negligence, degree of risk, spectator safety, athlete safety, release forms, and immunity. The role of adequate precautionary measures is emphasized. (MSE)

Lehman College (New York) and Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center's labor union cooperate in training health care workers to function as members of interdisciplinary health care teams. Undergraduate training is made available in social work, nursing, and health services administration. Retention rates, academic achievement, and student…

Reviews the grievance-arbitration process and examines the judiciary's approach to handling appeals of arbitrators' awards. Analyzes 213 court decisions made during a 10-year period involving appeals of arbitrators' awards. Draws some conclusions and further examines the relationship of the grievance-arbitration appeals process to public education…

School boards in contract negotiations with teachers' unions can expect demands for fewer hours in the classroom, higher salaries, and better health care to dominate the talks. In addition, teachers will demand more training and support in dealing with students with disabilities, especially medically fragile children. (MLF)

This position statement outlines the major challenges facing labor education (human rights, employment, structural transition, poverty, marginalization, globalization) and areas for International Labour Organisation action (standards, technical cooperation, sectoral activities, research, publications, and communications). (SK)

Explains key issues and forces that shape organization and management strategies of educational decentralization, using examples from Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Nicaragua, and Spain. Core decentralization issues include national and regional goals, planning, political stress, resource distribution, infrastructure development, and job…

Notes that the introduction of competence-based training (CBT) into Australia was a tripartite initiative of government, industry, and unions. Relates this policy initiative to wider international trends; outlines some main features of CBT as it has been implemented in Australia; and considers advantages and limitations. (10 references) (Adjunct…

Before beginning a teacher-dismissal process, principals must check the district's political climate and tenure rules, and assess teacher performance using appropriate evaluation instruments. To facilitate dismissals, principals should communicate with legislators, unions, and professional organizations; work with districts to improve teacher…

Tenure has lost public legitimacy. Of 30 states reforming civil-service systems or proposing reforms, Georgia has gone the farthest. Since 1996, new state government hires have been "at will" employees. Erosion of private-sector union strength may aid antitenure political leaders' efforts. A sidebar outlines states' actions. (10…

The strongest players in the plight of America's public schools are the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. The power of these unions rests on a bargaining monopoly and the collection of service fees from non-member teachers in most states with collective bargaining laws. Despite their rhetoric, both groups…

Reports on initiatives of the American Association of University Professors to reach out to graduate students and part-time professors and the association's increasing involvement in unionization battles. Notes plans to form partnerships with various groups, including the American Conference of Academic Deans and teaching assistant unions. The…