Industrial Relations Center
Carlson School of Management
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Union Organizing and Labor Relations
HRIR 3071 (2 credits)
Fall 2005 (A term)
8:00-9:40, Tuesday and Thursday
CSOM 2-224
6 September – 24 October 2005
Thomas J. Norman
3-300 Carlson School of Management
(612) 626-8304
tnorman2@csom.umn.edu
Office Hours: 10:00-11:45 Tuesday
and by appointment
Although the courses are taken separately, this course is the first half of a logical two course
sequence on labor relations and collective bargaining. Many students take the two courses
(HRIR 3071 and 3072) consecutively; hence we use the same text: John W. Budd, Labor
Relations, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2005.
This course provides an introduction to labor unions and their history, role and formation. The class
integrates academic research and practical applications. While some attention will be given to a
general consideration of employer/ employee relationships, the primary focus of the class will be
upon the unionized sector. This class focuses on union organizing and labor relations, while HRIR
3072 focuses on collective bargaining, the resolution of impasses, and the mediation and arbitration
of contractual disputes. While U.S. private sector labor relations issues will dominate, public sector
and international comparisons will be made when relevant.
Course Goals:
 State three objectives of the employment relationship.
 Explain why employees, employers, and society may or may not desire unions.
 Describe methods of creating workplace rules (governance).
 Recall major events in U.S. labor history.
 Explain the procedural and legal standards for forming new unions in the U.S.
 Understand how the business environment affects employment outcomes.
 Reflect on how globalization is affecting the employer-employee relationship.
Required Textbooks: (available at the University Bookstore)
John W. Budd (2000) Labor Relations: Striking a Balance, Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin,
2005.
Readings: All readings are required. The textbook is available on reserve in the IRC Reference
Room (280 HHH).
Page 1 of 3
Electronic Information Sources: The AFL-CIO, Industrial Workers of the World, NLRB, and
numerous unions and professional associations have informative sites. Many U.S. laws and court
decisions are available at www.law.cornell.edu. ClassNet will be used in this course.
Grading and Assignments
Exam #1 (chapters 1-3)
Assignment #1 Labor Law Discussion Box 5.25 (1-2 pp.)
Assignment #2 HR Strategy Box 7.18 Choose 2 scenarios
Exam #2 (Chapters 4-7)
Group Poster Board Presentation
Participation and Class Discussion
Due Date
22 September
29 September
11 October
13 October
20 October
each class
Weighting
0-15%
15%
15%
15-30%
30%
10%
Exams:
The first week of class you will decide on whether you would like two shorter exams or one
comprehensive, longer exam. The exam(s) will be primarily True/False or multiple choice questions,
but will likely include a few short answer or essay questions.
Assignments: The two assignments above should answer the questions raised in the Discussion/HR
Strategies Boxes found at the end of Chapters 5 and 7. Please use at least 1” margins a 12 point font
and double space. Do not exceed 4 pages. Please bring a hard copy to class.
Poster Board Session on “The Future of Unions in a Global Economy”
As a group of 5-6 students you will use the library and other resources to research a specific topic
related to the above theme, such as the impact of outsourcing on union strength. Your group will
collect and present material on a specific topic on a union/management issue. The presentation must
use a display board to describe and analyze the topic. The presentation should include descriptive
material AND lessons for policy or practice. The poster boards will be displayed on Thursday, 20
October 2005. Your group will be responsible for answering questions from other students about
your poster during the class.
Your group’s topic must be approved by me no later than 27 September via e-mail.
A working bibliography (with at least 6 sources of material) of your topic must be submitted via
email to be no later than 4 October.
Participation and Class Discussion: Participation in class discussions is an important component of
the learning process in this course. Attendance at all class meetings earns a participation grade of
“B.” measured as 85 of 100 possible points. This grade will be reduced by 5 points for each
unexcused absence after the first and can be increased by relevant contributions to class discussions.
Page 2 of 3
Course Schedule
I. Introduction to Labor Relations and Globalization (week 1)
6 & 8 September
Budd, Chapter 1 and Chapter 12 (pp. 397-418)
II. Labor Unions Good or Bad? (week 2)
13 & 15 September
Budd, Chapter 2.
III. Labor Relations Outcomes: Individuals and the Environment (week 3)
20 & 22 September
Budd, Chapter 3.
Exam #1 on 22 September
IV. Historical Development of U.S. Industrial Relations and Labor Law (week 4)
27 & 29 September
Budd, Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 (pp. 139-159).
Assignment #1 Due on 29 September
V. Labor Law and Labor and Management: Strategies, Structures and Rights (week 5)
4 & 6 October
Budd, Chapter 5 (pp. 160-178) and Chapter 6.
Get Topic Approval from me by 4 October
VI. Union Organizing and Globalization Continued (week 6)
11 & 13 October
Chapter 7 and Chapter 12 (pp. 418-430)
Assignment #2 Due on 11 October
Exam #2 on 13 October
VII. The Future of Unions (week 7)
18 & 20 October
Group Presentations of Poster Boards 20 October
Page 3 of 3
Department of Human Resources and Industrial Relations
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
STATEMENT ON COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1.
The instructor will determine the conditions, if any, under which an "Incomplete" will be assigned
instead of a grade. The instructor may set dates and conditions for makeup work, if it is to be
allowed.
2.
A student may not negotiate the submission of extra work in an attempt to raise his or her grade
unless the instructor has made such opportunities available to all students.
3.
Academic misconduct is a very serious issue with potential consequences ranging from failure in
the course in question to dismissal from the University. Academic misconduct is defined broadly
as any act that violates the rights of another student in academic work or that involves
misrepresentation of your own work. This includes (but is not limited to) cheating on assignments
or examinations; plagiarizing, which means representing as your own work any part of work done
by another; submitting the same paper, or substantially similar papers, to meet the requirements
of more than one course without the approval and consent of all instructors concerned; depriving
another student of necessary course materials; or interfering with another student's work.
Instructors may define additional standards beyond these.
4.
Students with disabilities that affect their ability to participate fully in class or to meet all course
requirement should bring this to the attention of the instructor during the first week of class so that
appropriate accommodations can be made. Similarly, students for whom English is not their
native language may request accommodation (such as additional time for examinations).
5.
Student complaints or concerns about some aspect of a course sometimes arise. If possible, it is
hoped that these can be resolved through an informal meeting between student and instructor.
However, if a student feels this is not feasible, or if such discussion does not remedy the problem,
the student may consult with the Director of Graduate Studies in 3-300 Carlson School of
Management (if a graduate student) or the Director of the Industrial Relations Center, also in 3300 Carlson School of Management (if an undergraduate student).
6.
University policy prohibits sexual harassment. Copies of the University policy on sexual
harassment are available at 419 Morrill Hall. Complaints about sexual harassment should be
reported to the University Office of Equal Opportunity at 419 Morrill Hall.
7.
Materials for this course are available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the
Director of Graduate Studies, 3-300 Carlson School of Management, (612) 624-2500.
s:\teaching\course statement.doc
June 16, 1998