Syllabus - Term 3, 2005

BA 303 - Labor/Management Relations

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Syllabus

Schedule

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INSTRUCTOR:  Donald D. Conant

Phone: work: (360) 754-4877, home: (360) 556-7359

E-mail:   Provided in Class

Web site:  http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/dconant

OFFICE HOURS:  By appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS:  Click on book title for additional information.

	Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining: Cases, Practice, and Law, 7/E Michael R. Carrell, Northern Kentucky University Christina Heavrin, J.D., Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Mahan, P.S.C. ISBN: 0-13-140052-5 Publisher: Prentice Hall Copyright: 2004 Format: Cloth; 672 pp Published: 06/04/2003

COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

As stated in the Saint Martin's University catalog, this course provides "a conceptual framework for the study of labor-management relations in the private and public sectors."

In this course I will introduce you to labor and management relations, focusing on the development, structure and processes constituting the collective bargaining process in the United States.  You will spend time in class evaluating case studies and discussing the pros and cons of historical and hypothetical labor and management relations situations. Individual projects include an oral presentation of a current industrial relations topic and written case study evaluations.

OBJECTIVES:  

At course completion, students should have:

Developed an understanding of the history, development and modern role of the collective bargaining process and labor unions in the United States.

Developed an understanding of the issues regarding organized labor and industry effectiveness and profitability.

Learned the key elements of the collective bargaining process and the priorities of labor and management regarding these elements.

Gained an understanding of the terms and concepts related to labor and management relations that will allow the student to pursue further study and to apply their knowledge in practical settings.

TEACHING STRATEGY: 

The class sessions will be a combination of lectures, interactive exercises, internet exercises, project work, video, and case discussion. Course content will  come primarily from the assigned textbook.  Internet content will be incorporated where appropriate.

Students are responsible for reviewing the class schedule and completing assigned readings, homework problems and other assignments.

A primary focus of the class will be the completion of the assigned case studies and participation in classroom case study analysis.  I will choose case studies that emphasize key areas of labor and management relations.  I will ask you to solve these problems either individually in writing, or as a group in the classroom setting.  Additionally, you will be required to view and comment upon a theatrical depiction of a historical labor and management relations situation.

BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1:
Overview, Challenges and Opportunities

Week 2:
Bargaining Units and Labor Practices

Week 3:
Negotiating Agreements, Wage and Salary Issues

Week 4:
Wage and Salary Issues, Mid-Term Examination

Week 5:
Benefits, Job Security and Seniority

Week 6:
Collective Bargaining, Grievance and Discipline

Weeks 7:
Arbitration and Equal Employment Issues

Week 8:
Oral Presentations and Final Examination

GRADING:

Grade category and points:

Grade Scale:

REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance/Participation:  I highly recommend you come to each class session.  Three absences are allowed without penalty. Four absences will result in the loss of one letter grade. Five absences will incur a failing grade. If issues arise that necessitate excused absences discuss those with me prior to missing the class sessions.

Exams:  (50 points)  A mid-term exam (20 points) and a final exam (30 points) will be given. These exams will test your ability to formulate and solve problems based on material presented in class.

Cases: (30 points) You will be required to prepare two cases in writing (15 points each). These will be provided by the instructor. In each case you will be presented with a problem in labor and management relations. It will be your task to evaluate the facts of the case and provide a solution in accordance with the information contained in your text and gained from the lectures and class discussions. Each case will consist of not more than three, double spaced typed pages.

Oral Presentation: (10 points) You will be required to make one presentation to the class on a current industrial relations topic of your choosing. The topic should be taken from current publications, newspapers, news or business magazines, business or labor journals. It is highly recommended that you consult the online business or labor abstracts in the library. Consult with the reference librarian if you need additional help. You will be graded on your ability to communicate you subject to the class. Presentations are limited to 15 minutes.

Film Review: (10 points) You will be required to prepare a brief review and more detailed synopsis of one of the following three films (your choice). "The Molly Maquires,"  "Matewan," or "Norma Rae." Each of these theatrical presentations depicts labor and management relations in a different historical period in the United States. "The Molly Maquires" covers the latter part of the 19th Century, "Matewan" the early 20th, and "Norma Rae" the latter part of the 20th Century. The first two films take place in the coalfields, the latter in the textile industry of the South. Your review and synopsis will consist of no more than four (4) double spaced pages, discussing the historical context of the film, the nature of the labor and management dispute depicted, the issues as portrayed in the film, and the tactics used by both management and labor. One or more of these films are available at most medium to large video rental stores.

"The Molly Maquires" Paramount Pictures, A Tamm Production, with Richard Harris, Sean Connery, Samantha Eggar, Produced by Martin Ritt and Walter Bernstein, 123 minutes, 1969.
"Matewan" Cinecom Entertainment Group, John Sayles Production, with Chris Cooper, james Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, Will Oldham, 100 minutes, 1987.
"Norma Rae" Martin Ritt/Ross and Ross and Asseyev Production, with Sally Field, Ron Leibman, Beau Bridges, Pat Hingle, Barbara Baxley, 117 minutes, 1979.

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: The Learning Center offers individual learning consultations, study group assistance, handouts and books on study skills, and free peer tutoring in the following subject areas:  math, chemistry, physics, economics, accounting, Spanish, French, and Japanese.  The tutoring schedules are posted outside the door in Old Main, room 212. To learn more about resources available through the Learning Center you are encouraged to drop by room 208 or visit their website:  www.stmartin.edu/academic/learning_center/index.htm.

SPecial needs:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical and/or safety concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Contact Information:

Phone:
work: 360.754.4877
home: 360.556.7359