Differences in the approach to and nature of collective bargaining practices in industrialized countries are examined, along with recent trends and developments. While inflation and other problems may change the character of negotiation agreements, the institution of collective bargaining has demonstrated adaptability. (MF)

Analyzed two programs in a public agency: Investors in Management (a British government initiative) and employee-led development. Found that both programs exposed tensions between individual growth and traditional values constraining growth. Concluded that effective organizational learning in the public sector must be collective and aware of…

The author sees cause for concern in the number of complaints to the International Labour Organisation alleging violations of teachers' union rights. She examines the right of public employees to organize and strike and government interference, concluding that greater protection for teachers' unions may be needed. (SK)

Team briefing, a technique used to communicate information to employees on issues of concern, is examined in three different establishments. Problems in the way it is practiced are identified, with the suggestion that its appropriateness and effectiveness may depend on the type of company or service in question. (SK)

Provides a case study of a Japanese-owned British manufacturing plant. Its purpose was to establish reasons for the introduction of employee participation in the company's manufacturing plant. (JOW)

The author analyzes the collaboration between unions and universities to provide courses in "Industrial Studies" in Great Britain from the mid-1970s to the present. He states that the main problem between these two entities was one of clashing educational philosophies. (CH)

Despite the benefits of employee participation in decision making, it is not widespread. Making it work requires commitment, job security, training, access to information, communication channels, goal setting, flat organizational structures, and financial reinforcement. (SK)

The rapid technological changes and competitive pressure of Western economies are breathing new life into efforts to establish partnerships between workers and management. A lower union membership rate, less government regulation, and outmoded legislation may hinder such arrangements to a greater extent in the United States than in Europe. (Author)

A report on efforts in five countries (Sweden, Great Britain, France, Italy, and West Germany) to restructure and reorganize jobs and on the participation of trade unions in job improvement experiments is presented. (Author/AG)

The symposium studied such current questions as the impact of the changing composition of the labor force on traditional working-class politics and the effects of anti-inflationary economic policies on the stability of party-union alliances. (MW)

The study focuses on the 16 industrial unions joined together in the German Trade Union Confederation and their relations at the national level to the two major parties of the Federal Republic. Historical background and current socioeconomic issues and problems are topics discussed. (MW)

One specific area of industrial relations training is considered--that of meeting the implications of change as a result of the current theme of joint involvement in proposed industrial relations legislation. This will demand new approaches for industry in England. (Author/BP)

Based on interviews and participant-observation, a matrix of nine categories is proposed that classifies teachers in unions according to the intensity of their identification with the union ("us") and the union leadership's opponents ("them"). A complex image of teacher activism emerges, providing material for further research.…

Discusses the implications of the demographic and geographic situation of libraries in Canada for library unionization. Insight is also provided into issues directly related to library management and library unions, including five factors which cause distrust and dissatisfaction. (CHC)