The basic course work in this area includes analyses of developed countries and explanations for the wide variations in their industrial relations systems, as well as union structure and growth, industrial conflict, and industrial democracy. Additional courses focus on such topics as the organization and strategies used by multinational firms and the problems faced by developing societies in the third world. Unions and Collective Bargaining . Industrial relations flourished during the immense growth of trade unionism in the U.S. from 1935 to 1945. In this area students examine all aspects of unions and collective bargaining in the U.S., including the organization and operation of labor unions, collective bargaining law, negotiations, public sector bargaining, contents of collective bargaining agreements, grievance arbitration, employee participation in the union firm, and union-management cooperation programs.
Course work is both pragmatic and policy oriented.
That is, courses provide the practical skills necessary for a career as a staff representative for a labor organization or a manager in a firm with union employees, and they also examine the contribution collective bargaining can make toward economic competitiveness, employee representation, fair treatment of minorities and women, workplace health and safety, and other goals. The faculty of Wisconsin's School for Workers are an important resource for students who wish to work with a labor organization or to teach in a labor education program. Students gain an overview of this important aspect of industrial relations in the basic courses. Advanced courses are offered on such topics as negotiation, arbitration, labor law, the economic impact of unions, labor history, and collective bargaining in the public sector. Human Resource Management .