University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management Spring Semester 2007
Canadian Trade Unions (Mgt 3390A) Course Outline
Faculty member Ian B. McKenna
Phone (329)-2167; e-mail mckenna@uleth.ca ; office E530 U HALL
Objectives of the course
The course objectives are to examine critically the history, nature, purposes, functions,
and activities of trade unions in Canada from various theoretical and ideological
perspectives. We consider the historical, economic, social and political environment in
which Canadian trade unions operate. This will be done through readings, class
discussion, presentations by trade union representatives and visiting the websites of
Canadian trade unions.
Classroom, time and office hours
Classes are on Tuesday and Thursday 3:05 - 4:20 p.m. in D631. Note there are no
classes on February 20 and 22. Please note that these dates fall in READING WEEK.
Last class is on Thursday April 12.
Please note that the final examination period is April 19 through 27. Final Exams
are scheduled by the Registrar. If you have travel plans during the exam period,
please do not register in this course as no alternative arrangements can be made.
Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 through 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 - 5 p.m. in
E530. Appointments can be arranged outside regular office hours.
Text and other readings
Textbook (to be purchased by students) John Godard, "Industrial Relations, the
Economy and Society" (3rd edition, Captus Press, York University, 2005). Further
material will be placed on Library Reserve. Students are also encouraged to search for
sources of information including those cited in the bibliography of the textbook and on
the websites of trade unions and other labour organizations.
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Evaluation
Scale
A+ 95-100%; A 90-94; A- 85-89; B+ 80-84; B 75-79; B- 70-74;
C+ 67-69; C 63-66; C- 60-62; D+ 55-59; D 50-54; F <50%
Methods
1. Mid term examination based on text readings. Worth 20% of your grade. The
format of tests will be multiple choice and short answer questions. Duration of exam – 70
minutes. You will be graded according to your demonstrated knowledge of concepts and
information covered in selected chapters of the textbook and other material referred to in
class and available on Library Reserve. Date of midterm exam Thursday March 1.
2. Class participation. Throughout the semester, students will be asked questions in class
on issues and concepts addressed in the textbook and readings on library reserve.
Students will be assessed on the range of knowledge they display and the clarity of their
communication. Feedback and an assessment of the student’s contribution will be
provided by e-mail prior to the following class. You will also be required to ASK
QUESTIONS IN CLASS relating to course content. Class participation is worth 10%
of your course grade. CLASS PARTICIPATION REQUIRES STUDENTS’
PRESENCE IN CLASS. A STUDENT WITH MORE THAN TWO UNEXCUSED
ABSENCES WILL RECEIVE ZERO FOR CLASS PARTICIPATION.
3. In-class group presentation Each group of three students (formed by me) will make a
presentation to class on one trade union active in Canada. Presentations should be of
around 15 minutes and must involve each student in research, preparation and
presentation. Further details will be circulated prior to commencement of such
presentations. This counts for 15% of your course grade. Class presentations will
commence in February.
4. Group term paper. Students in groups of three will present a paper of between 3500
and 4000words. To assist me in forming groups, I invite students to inform me by e-mail
of their top two preferred unions and topics. I shall endeavour to form groups of students
with similar interests. The group paper must focus on both a contemporary issue of
concern to a Canadian union or labour organization and include discussion of how the
particular union or labour organization deals with the issue internationally, nationally,
provincially or locally.
If I cannot accommodate the first or second choices of each student, I shall allocate
preferred topics by lot and discuss an alternative topic and union with the students
concerned. Students allocated to groups that cannot be assigned their first or second
choice may choose a topic and union not on my list but the selection must be agreed by
all group members and approved by me. Other information will be circulated early in the
semester. This is worth 25% of the course grade. The paper must be submitted on or
before Thursday March 29.
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5. Final exam on all matters covered during the semester. This is scheduled by the
registrar during the examination period. The exam period is April 19 through 27.
Note that no alternative arrangements will be made for the final examination. This
represents 30% of the course grade
Course outline
List of topics. The order may vary according to the availability of
visiting speakers.
1. Introduction to critical thinking (Library reserve)
2. Introduction to trade unions. Perspectives of labour-management relations. Basic
concepts, issues and debates. (Text ch.1)
3. The broader debate and the theses of Marx, Durkheim and Weber. (ch.2)
4. Understanding labour management relations - conflict and co-operation (ch.3)
5. Historical perspective of industrial relations and unions in Canada (ch.4)
6. Understanding management – approaches/practices of management (chs.5-6)
7. Unions as institutions and organizations (Text chs.7-8)
8. The role of the State (Text chs.9-10)
9. Collective bargaining, labour law and strikes-lockouts. (Text chs. 12-15)
10 Contemporary issues of concern to unions and workers. (Visiting speakers,
websites of trade unions and other labour organizations, and other readings to be
placed on Library Reserve). Issues include: working conditions, job security,
health and safety at work, wages and benefits, privatization of public services,
maintaining professional standards, organizing the unorganized, young workers
and unions, women and unions, sweatshops and related international matters,
political lobbying of unions.
11. Future challenges and alternatives to unions. (Text ch.16). Workers’
co-operatives as an alternative form of workplace governance. (Library Reserve)
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