Organized labor in this country has existed continuously for over a century. Unions have confronted a wide range of barriers to their existence: the law; the economy; technology; American culture. During our own lives they have met with less success in organizing new employees. Some pundits have declared the labor movement as bordering on extinction. However, even if they are a smaller percentage of the American workforce, where unions do exist they create a need for a unique set of understandings and skills.

This course is a comprehensive study of the nature of unions and the law governing labor and management relations. This course will not create specific skills applicable to the labor relations environment. It is primarily an attempt to provide a knowledge base and insight that is necessary to create those skills in related courses: Collective Bargaining; Grievance Administration; Labor Arbitration.

I. Introduction of Program and Participants.

II. What is Organized Labor?

• short lecture
• class discussion

III. The Legal Environment Governing Labor Relations.

• lecture
• class discussion

IV. Why do Employees Join Unions?

• short lecture
• class discussion

V. Rules Governing Elections.

• short lecture
• small group discussion
• class discussion

VI. Common Collective Bargaining Strategies.

• lecture
• small group discussion
• class discussion

VII. Dispute Resolution.

• lecture
• small group discussion
• class discussion

XIII. Summary and Evaluation.