Report on the development of a programme of study for joint models of co-operation

Collins, Sharon (2001) Report on the development of a programme of study for joint models of co-operation. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Labourers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) approached The Western Centre for Continuing Studies (WCCS) of The University of Western Ontario (UWO) in March 2000 to develop and deliver an educational programme to promote the development of new models for joint relationships between labour and management. -- The rapidly changing marketplace, fuelled by the emergence of a global economy, has had a dramatic impact on the current industrial landscape. It appears that the economic forces of change in Ontario, coupled with recently introduced government legislation, are influencing some sectors of labour and management to re-assess the nature of their relationship, and to find ways of operating more co-operatively together. LIUNA is a union that has embraced this challenge, and is taking a leadership role in developing and implementing new models for joint relationships (O'Sullivan. 2001). -- WCCS worked with LIUNA over the past year to develop an educational programme that will facilitate the development of new models of joint co-operation. The programme will bring together teams of labour and management in a joint learning process to facilitate interest-based planning, decision-making and problem-solving. The programme was developed in consultation with an advisory committee, made up of representatives of both labour and management. -- The programme has been designed and developed to provide participants with the know ledge and skills to relate the historical advances made by the labour movement to the emerging need to change again: to develop and apply the skill set required to engage in joint interest-based relationships: and to consider labour and management interests in a global context. The programme is unique and innovative, in that it will focus on joint training between labour and management. -- This paper outlines and describes the process of working with LIUNA to develop a programme to meet the needs they had articulated. The project commenced in March 2000 and it is anticipated that the first offering of the programme will take place in October, 2001. Personal learning objectives -- The development of new and innovative programmes to meet emerging needs identified within the workplace is an important component of the mandate for all university continuing education departments. Generally these new programmes are related to or drawn from areas of expertise within the larger institution, and are designed to share the benefits of the academic knowledge and body of research within the institution with the wider community. -- The request by LIUNA to work with them to develop and deliver a program for the development of joint models of co-operation provided an unusual and unique opportunity to research into a new area. While The University of Western Ontario is highly respected as an international leader in the field of management and business education and research, the field of labour relations is not studied or researched in any depth at Western. The opportunity to work with a large international union provided a challenge to explore another aspect of management education, and to identify and call on resources not readily available at Western. In addition, labour relations is an area not previously addressed within the portfolio of The Western Centre for Continuing Studies: the development of a successful program in this area could lead to the emergence of new opportunities and markets for WCCS. -- Personal learning objectives for this project included: -- • To improve personal knowledge and understanding of the field of labour relations -- • To research into the field of labour relations, and identify new approaches to promote co-operation, rather than confrontation -- • To work closely with a union to improve understanding of the mandate, mission, vision and values of organised labour -- • To explore the potential for developing a new area of expertise and research for The University of Western Ontario -- • To improve personal skills and expertise in the area of programme development.

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