A trustee of a Canadian public library discusses issues that must be addressed by the library board when the library staff forms a union. Suggestions are provided to aid in dealing with a union. (CHC)

The Australian labor market in 1992 was characterized by (1) high unemployment; (2) variability across states; (3) long-term unemployment; (4) government focus on infrastructure projects; (5) emphasis on training; and (6) enterprise bargaining in industrial relations. (SK)

Interviews and observations in a British clothing factory that introduced a new computer numerical control system and teamwork/empowerment showed that "teamwork" actually meant little worker control over daily work; deployment of workers often disrupted group cohesiveness. Worker responses included increased absence and turnover.…

Reduction in the size of classes from Kindergarten to Grade 3 was a major Liberal Party campaign promise in Ontario's 2003 provincial election. It was intended to demonstrate a new government's commitment to improving public education. By the 2008-09 school year, the provincial government's goals had been achieved: over 90% of all primary classes…

The Department for Education and Skills refers consistently to the Social Partnership Agreement (SPA) with unions representing teachers and support staff in education. Those inside the partnership will have their own perspectives on its operation. This article does not seek to describe, therefore, the day to day relationships of unions, Government…

As one in a series of test item collections developed by the Assessment and Evaluation Unit of the Directorate of Studies, items of value from past tests are made available to teachers for the construction of unit tests, term examinations or as a basis for class discussion. Each collection was reviewed for content validity and reliability. The…

The responsibility for education in Australia rests with the states. Teachers in the state of New South Wales, as in other Australian states, are employed by the Public Service Board, which determines working conditions. Teachers are administered, however, under the Department of Education. Labor disputes in Australia are settled not by formal…

Just as Australian universities are losing their traditions and behaving more like an industry, the Australian Federation of State University Staff Associations has changed from an organization of like-minded professionals and is increasingly following the model of industrial trade unions. (MSE)

Focuses on motives leading women in the new German Laender to participate in further education and on gender-related barriers to further education. Shows that women accept the need for further education, hoping to improve their job situation but knowing that their efforts will have a limited effect on employment chances. (DSK)

Opinions about industrial relations (IR) in Japan are extremely diversified. The main concern regarding IR appears to be whether Japan can maintain the vitality and flexibility to cope with the changes in the industrial structure and technology in a stagnant world economy. The lack of opposition and dispute between labor and management may be the…

The author discusses three training approaches in teaching industrial relations--"systematic" training, problem solving, and learning for uncertainty. (BP)

The development of industrial democracy in Norway is traced by the speaker in introducing an international conference on manpower training and development. As a context for the chain of events to be examined, basic information about Norway is presented: population data, the country's democratic tradition, the history of industrial development, the…

Terminology in the training and human resources development field as used in various countries is defined and discussed, from "autonomous work groups" to "two-tier work structure." The author notes that the preferred term to indicate some kind of increased worker influence on organizational conduct seems to be "quality of…

This report focuses on measures that can be taken by school boards to give recognition to their staff and improve the quality of their employees' working life. The report is based on the findings of a survey done by the Canadian Education Association, to which 103 out of 224 school boards responded. The first section describes ways of recognizing…

This document summarizes discussions at an invitational workshop on labor development in Nigeria. The discussion centered on the need to promote an individual work ethic and to improve the quality of life of the average worker. The following broad topics were discussed: (1) the negative effect of colonialism on individual productivity and the lack…