Formal worker participation schemes, such as the quality circles and related employee involvement schemes that have been introduced in 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, are likely to have a lasting impact on the way many organizations work. In a majority of empirical studies, direct participation is associated with at least a short-run…

This study of available evidence on cooperative union-management efforts to solve employment problems indicates that roughly one-half of the larger unionized manufacturing facilities have embarked on cooperative efforts. Thus, larger firms have already made the decision to cooperate or not, and targeting government money to them to encourage…

This special report examines the labor movement's growing interest in benefits that help two-income families and single parents. The report also: (1) examines benefits that unions have won for their members and employers' reactions to labor's increasing advocacy on behalf of working parents; (2) profiles the results of union activism for work and…

A class project undertaken in an English-as-a-Second-Language class is described and presented. Students participating in the project were union employees in a Manhattan electronics factory, and most were native Spanish speakers. The project's objective was to produce an illustrated book and tapes to document work and union experience in the…

Texts for three units of a workplace English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy program are included. The first unit addresses language skills for social and personal identification, including lessons on introductions, social language, family, filling out forms, schedules and timelines, and expressing feelings. The second unit focuses on aspects…

A project was developed to identify issues affecting the relationships between minority communities and vocational schools in Massachusetts. Meetings with members of the project's advisory committee and three 1-day conferences involving more than 300 persons and organizations were organized. Five major categories of issues were identified: access,…

This paper discusses the current operations and future activities of the Minnesota Interlibrary Telecommunications Exchange (MINITEX) and the Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET), two state networks established in the 1960s with the common goal of cooperation to provide library resources to their citizens, but with independent…

This bibliography was developed as a resource for those seeking information about the dilemma of balancing obligations to work and family and alternative approaches that provide support to parents in the workplace. It contains references to recent Canadian and American publications, including books, journal articles, and periodicals, and also to…

The need for training in basic skills in the workplace in Britain has been produced by demographic changes, new technology, changes introduced in firms, the European Single Market due in 1992, and the required competitive bidding for some contracts. Workbase, a nonprofit organization, offers training and support for training organizations, Local…

A guide to mutual gains bargaining (MGB) is presented for faculty union leaders and college administrators, as well as school systems. MGB is based on applied behavioral sciences concepts and the use of bargaining teams and emphasizes problem-solving and improving communications and campus relationships. Two different uses of the mutual gains…

A compilation of 10 articles presents perspectives on the issue of female political participation. "The Patriarchy Takes a Ribbing" (Benoite Groult) looks at women as the primary agents for economic and political change. "Women and Political Power in Europe" (Mariette Sineau) considers variations in female responsibility and status in…

The formal and noninstitutional education of women in South Australia during 1875-1915 is discussed. Attention is directed to educational developments that took place in both the classroom and the wider society, including the establishment of women's trade unions, an innovative female cooperative clothing factory, heightened political awareness…

The impact of market forces on negotiated salary guides for the hiring and retention of faculty was investigated through a survey of the collective bargaining agreements of four-year institutions. While the vast majority of the 117 contracts surveyed were silent on this issue, 16 agreements contained provisions. Fifteen provided for specific…

This essay discusses collective bargaining at a small college in Illinois. After a historical review of the conditions in the 1960s that gave rise to collective bargaining units in higher education, recent alternatives and adjustments to the bargaining process are presented, as typified in the recent experience of Carl Sandburg College in…

This contractual agreement outlines the terms of employment in effect from 1988 to 1989. The 12 articles in the agreement set forth provisions related to: (1) parties to the agreement; (2) recognition of the association as exclusive representative; (3) definition of terms; (4) professional dues or fees and payroll deductions; (5) personal and…