mir 810: unions and collective bargaining course introduction and overview

MIR 810: Unions and MIR 810: Unions and Collective BargainingCollective Bargaining

Course introduction and overview

About meAbout mePhD in Industrial Relation from

Cornell UniversityEducation in labour relations

based on ten years working “in the field”

Teamsters UnionTeamsters UnionTeamsters for a Democratic Union

◦Union reform movementRank-and-file dockhandWorked briefly in the Carpenters’

Union and the Service Employees’ International Union

Worked mostly as a full-time staff representative – Organizing, contract administration, bargaining.◦Waste management & Port truckers

Labour education

5 Minutes of fame5 Minutes of fameWhat do you get if you “Google”

me?1999 WTO Ministerial Meetings in

Seattle.◦Director of organizing at Teamsters

Local 174

Invitation to King County JailInvitation to King County JailUnremarkable arrest - 4 days in

jail

One of approximately 600 protestors held

Hickey v. City of SeattleHickey v. City of Seattle

Cornell UniversityCornell UniversitySchool of Industrial and Labor

Relations◦Research

On-going collaboration◦Research◦Inter-university

exchangesDissertation

◦“Mail” industry

Queen’s UniversityQueen’s UniversityTeaching interestsTeaching philosophyResearch interestsCurrent research projects

◦Transformation of developmental services, impacts on labour relations and human resource management

◦Industrial restructuring in Ontario

ProfessorHickey.comProfessorHickey.com

About youAbout youNameRecent event, issue, problem or

topic that is of particular interest to you?

Course overviewCourse overviewCourse description & objectivesRequirements, assignments,

examination & grading◦Contemporary topics and course readings◦Ad hoc “volunteers”

Labourstart.org or other media sources◦Mid-term paper (40%)◦Contract administration / dispute

resolution (20%)◦Final exam take home December 9 – 10

(40%)Challenge yourself (you get out what

you put in)

Safe SpaceSafe SpaceLabour relations generally entails

controversial topics, especially concerning disputes

Learn best when we discuss issues we care deeply about

Requires safe space to ensure full participation and inclusion

Safe space “policy”

Course materialsCourse materialsGunderson & Taras. Canadian Labour

and Employment Relations. 6th edition◦Foundation but lectures will go beyond

textRequired readings available via

course websiteAdditional resources

◦Books on reserve◦Textbooks available from me◦Key on-line resources

www.professorhickey.com

Class scheduleClass scheduleI. FoundationsII. Union organizing

I. Worker motivationsII. Union strategies

III. Management of industrial relationsI. Managerial perspectives and

strategiesII. Guest Speaker, Steven Finlay.

Executive director of Community Living Oshawa and co-chair of HR Strategy Committee in the sector

Class scheduleClass schedule

IV. Collective bargaining legislation & union structure

IV. Health Services Act (Bill 29)V. Union structures

V. Globalization and workplace change

IV. Impacts of globalizationV. High performance work systemsVI. Workplace changeVII.Guest speaker, Ken Delaney (USW)

Class scheduleClass scheduleVI. Unions and politics

VI. Political action strategiesVII.Guest speaker, Buzz Hargrove (class

time change)VII. Collective bargaining process and

outcomeVI. Structure and processVII.The collective agreement

VIII.Contract administration and dispute resolution

VI. Dispute resolution systemsVII.Exercise

Class scheduleClass scheduleIX. Union renewal strategies

IX. Union revitalizationX. Guest speaker, Alex Dagg (Workers United)

X. Public sectorXI. Union impacts on workplaces and

societyXII. International perspectives

Final exam (take home) handed out December 9, due by 4 PM on December 10. (3 hours)