This introduction to the theme issue first discusses the expanding legal rights of educational employees, and then examines whether this development hinders educational missions by making it too difficult to discipline or dismiss unsatisfactory employees. Finally, the five articles in this issue are reviewed in relation to this question. (SLD)

The responsive model of evaluation has been seen as an alternative to formal evaluation models. This model was used for the evaluation of a Certificate in Industrial Relations program in a Quebec French university. This study focused on two main objectives: first, the local utility of the program being assessed, along with the major problems…

Discusses the development of teachers' unions as adversaries of school boards in the 1960s. Today there are signs that unions are moving from an industrial model of labor relations to a more professional union model, one in which union leaders and school leaders can become allies in the effort to improve schools. (SLD)

Recent studies suggest unionization constrains administrators, impedes reform, and makes achieving accountability difficult. Interviews with 11 principals and analysis of the collective bargaining agreement between the New York City Board of Education and the United Federation of Teachers indicates rigid work rules prevent the flexibility and…

Unions of professionals are comparable to neither traditional professional associations nor traditional unions. To reject unionization because it is allegedly "unprofessional" is supported neither by the theoretical base, the historical record, nor the current reality. (Author)

At George Washington University, the position of faculty outreach librarian was created to educate faculty and university administrators on the role of information technology in research and teaching, and to enhance their support for new electronic resources. Discussion includes how that position evolved, the projects initiated, and outcomes that…

Demographic and economic trends that will influence higher education and the implications for collective bargaining and forced faculty unionism are considered. Section II presents enrollment and cost data for the period 1965-1985, which determine the demand for instructional staff at colleges and universities; data are also provided on the supply…

Responsibilities and relationships of professional and paraprofessional library staff are changing as a consequence of societal, educational, and technological forces. These changes are having lasting impact on organizational structure, particularly in the face of increasing service expectations and higher costs. This article contains suggestions…

Limited research has been conducted on the direct and indirect impact of union-management cooperation (UMC) programs on worker autonomy, work group effectiveness, and worker satisfaction. For this study, a research questionnaire designed to explore these relationships was mailed to four Ohio unions and was returned by 339 members. Workers at…

Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Central Americans, and South Americans, all so-called "Hispanics," or "Latinos," have brought their working hands and all of their skills and talents to the United States. They have come from many places to become the United States' fastest growing minority group. By the…

Since 1987, 12 California school districts and their teachers' unions have experimented with a new form of labor accord called an Educational Policy Trust Agreement. The project helps teachers, as represented by their unions, and school management to reach agreements on issues that are not included within the scope of traditional collective…

Attitudes and reactions are reported regarding the South African film, "Indaba Ye Grievance," (produced by the Human Sciences Research Council) which was designed to show unsophisticated workers the advantages of a grievance procedure and the problem of acceptability. Chapter 1, "Background to the Film 'Indaba Ye Grievance'"…

Discusses steps employers can take to prevent female clerical workers from wanting to join labor unions. These steps include reviewing the company's employment practices to ensure compliance on sex fairness issues; reviewing pay practices; reviewing the company's position regarding sexual harassment; reviewing benefits and personnel policies; and…

Examines the implications for educational labor relations in the recommendations from "A Nation at Risk." Reviews Michigan's and Wisconsin's employment relations acts and the National Labor Relations Act. (MD)

The role of increased teacher unionization during the current period of reform in Australian education is examined critically. It is argued that conventional industrial-style unionization is not supportive of educational values and that a more inclusive model of educational accountability is needed. (Author/MSE)