Advance, Cornell ILR School's publication for alumni and friends.
Issue link: https://advance.epubxp.com/i/362921
You've been at ILR for more than 20 years. What brought you here? I grew up in Michigan, and my father and grandfather worked for Ford Motor Co. Everyone I knew worked in the auto industry. During the early 1980s, there were a lot of plant closings. I took a position at the University of Michigan to create retraining programs that would help laid-off industrial workers. That experience made me want to know more about what caused the decline in manufacturing, and led me to pursue graduate work at ILR. How have you seen labor-management relations change over time? The agreements that unions and employers reach still have the power to infuence the American workplace. But, with the decline in the density of unions and chang- es in the employer mix, many more forces are now playing a part in how employ- ment relations are structured. It makes the role of a place like the ILR School, as a provider of information, research and best practices, even more important. Bargaining for Better Schools is a key focus. What is it about? We're exploring labor relations in New York state's public schools by analyzing all the teacher contracts. This includes how teachers are hired, evaluated and paid. We want to make sure everyone has access to data to inform the dialogue and decision making about what works, and doesn't work, in employment relations in schools. Why is this project a good ft with the Scheinman Institute? This is right at the heart of the Scheinman Institute's mission. We can look at ques- tions relating to due process, and how districts and teachers' unions are resolving disagreements on some of the education reform issues. We are currently looking at the appeals processes every district puts in place in response to the new annual performance reviews for teachers and principals. What do you think keeps your work at ILR so interesting and energizing? I have the ability at ILR to look broadly at trends in labor-management practices, but also to fnd out how individual workplaces are dealing with them frsthand. This is an environment where you can focus on what's going on academically, as well as in practice. And, there's this endless supply of exceptional students to work with. If ILR students are any indication, the future of work is in good hands. For others interested in labor-management careers – any words of wisdom? The one thing that will never go away in the workplace is confict. Knowing how to help parties resolve differences is a skill that will always be in demand. Director, Labor-Management Programs, Scheinman Institute on Confict Resolution 7