University of Manitoba Department of Business Administration HRIR 3450 Labour and Employment Relations (A01) Winter 2018. Course Outline Instructor: Alok Dua Room 376 Drake Bldg. Telephone 474-8104 Res. 261-4512 Email: duaa19769@yahoo.com Office hours: 4 5 PM M, W + by appointment Objectives This is a first course in industrial relations for advanced undergraduate students. Its purpose is fourfold: (1) to familiarize students with various issues and debates about the nature and study of labour-management relations; (2) to develop in students a basic understanding of the relationships between workers, their unions, and management; (3) to provide students with a working knowledge of the history, structure, and functioning of labour unions, labour law, and collective bargaining in Canada; and (4) to introduce students to contemporary developments in industrial relations and various issues pertaining to them. Methodology The course will be based on a combination of lectures and discussions of theoretical material from the text, case studies and simulation exercises. The case method allows us to bring the real world into the classroom, to examine real life situations and to discuss the issues that are involved. Cases can be thought of as playing the same role in management courses as laboratories do in the sciences and engineering, or clinical experience in medicine. They give us the opportunity to test our theories and insights on real problems (but without the cost penalties involved in actual decision making situations!). Evaluation (a) A group presentation will have to be made by all students (7.5 marks) Presentation can be on any of the following topics 1 Ergonomics and its impact on Labour Relation (maximum 1 group) 2 Arbitration cases 3 Cases on prevention of union formation (maximum 1 group) 4 Manitoba Human Rights Code (maximum 1 group) 5 Manitoba Labour Relation Act (maximum 2 groups) 1
6 Case study of activities of Labour Council (maximum 2 groups) 7 Resolving workplace conflict and problem solving (max 1 group) 8 Labour relation issues [union and employer perception] (max 1 group) 9 Companies that oppose labour Unions (Walmart, McDonalds, etc.) 10 Small cases from the book (not taken up in the class; 2 groups) 11 Any other related topic of your choice (you will have to get clearance from me) (max 2 groups) Each group will present the chosen topic for about 10 minutes (b) Mid-term exam: There will be two mid-term exams, accounting for 10% each of the final mark. At the time of writing, it is planned to hold a theory-type multiple-choice exam in a normal class period. It will be a multiple choice, mini test. Students will write the same exam two times 1) Individually, (75% weight-age) 2) Group, closed book (25% or more; weight-age) (c) Negotiation Simulation: Negotiation simulation is worth 10% of the total marks. Detailed instructions will be provided (d) Final Exam: (Comprehensive) The final exam might have multiple choice, short/long answer questions and some case situations. (47.5%) (f) Participation. (15 % of total marks) Participation is very important. I expect you to be prepared for each and every class and to participate by making a "substantive contribution" in a fair number of classes during the term. In general, a substantive contribution helps push the understanding of the class forward. Examples include, but are not limited to, being involved in a discussion of assigned material, arguing your point of view during a case discussion, asking a relevant question, suggesting an alternate viewpoint, or redirecting our attention to something else in need of discussion. Thus, you do not have to be a top participant in each class, nor do you have to have the "right answer" when you do participate. Please do not hesitate to speak simply because you think your ideas might be challenged; this is the place for such challenges. The participation grade is intended to be a stimulant to discussion, not a deterrent. Although I expect you to attend every class, attendance is not the same as participation. On very rare and exceptional occasions, you may be unprepared for a class and do not wish to be called upon. If so, you should let your instructor know before class (preferably by voicemail or e-mail), but please attend. You do not have to explain why you are unprepared; I will simply expect more from you on other days. I judge participation for each session on a scale of 0 to 4, where 4 indicates a substantive contribution for the day and 0 indicates no contribution. An average contribution, such as building on points made by others, is worth 1. 2
At the end of the course, overall participation will be determined by assigning grades to the best and worst participators and scaling others accordingly. Note: This makes it possible for everyone to do well in participation. Please do not change your seats and keep your name card displayed at all times. Grades: Rough guideline 50 less than 60 D 60 less than 65 C 65 less than 70 C+ 70 less than 75 B 75 less than 80 B+ 80 less than 90 A 90 or above A+ 3
Tentative Course Schedule Win 2018 Text, Larry Suffield : Labour relations 4th ed. ISBN: 9780133593679 Pearson Date Topic Jan 4 Introduction Jan 9 Chapter1- Introduction to Labour Relations Jan 11 Chapter 2- The Environment Jan 16 Chapter3- Unions, Objectives, Processes, Structure and History Jan 18 Chapter 4- Employers Jan 23 MID TERM 1 on CH 1,2,3 and CH 4 of the book Jan 25 Chapter 5 Governments and other parties Jan 30 Chapter 6 Collective Bargaining Rights Feb 1, 6 Chapter 7 The Collective Agreement Feb 9 Chapter 8- Negotiation of the Collective Agreement Feb 13 Chapter 9- Administration of the Collective Agreement Feb 15 Mid Term 2 Ch 5, 6, and 7 only Feb 27 Negotiation simulation: Diamond Casino (App C of the book) Instructions provided Must have read the case prior to entering the class Mar 1 Negotiation simulation: Diamond Casino contd. Initial set of demands (2 copies) of demands to be handed at the beginning of the class Mar 6,8, 13 Negotiation time available Mar 15 Report on the negotiation results due at the beginning of the class, report must be signed by all the members of both the teams. Chapter 10: Contract dispute resolution strike and lockouts Mar 20 Chapter 11: Public sector labour relations Mar 22 Chapter 12-Effect of Unionisation Mar 27, 29 Apr Presentation 3 Apr 5 Small cases. Wrap up Note: Please bring book to every class we will mostly discuss small cases in the book during chapter discussion time. We might discuss practical questions arising out of the topics of the chapters during the class time Final Exam Comprehensive; Grading: Mid-term 1 10% Mid Term 2 10% Class Participation 15% Negotiation simulation 10% Group presentation 7.5% Final Exam 47.5% Academic Integrity Total 100% It is critical to the reputation of the Faculty of Management and of our degrees, that everyone associated with our faculty behave with the highest academic integrity. As the faculty that helps create business and government leaders, we have a special obligation to ensure that our ethical standards are beyond reproach. Any dishonesty in our academic transactions violates this trust. Page 23 of the University of Manitoba General Calendar addresses the issue of academic dishonesty under the heading "Plagiarism and Cheating." Specifically, acts of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to: - using the exact words of a published or unpublished author without quotation marks and without referencing the source of these words - duplicating a table, graph or diagram, in whole or in part, without referencing the source 4
- paraphrasing the conceptual framework, research design, interpretation, or any other ideas of another person, whether written or verbal (e.g., personal communications, ideas from a verbal presentation) without referencing the source - copying the answers of another student in any test, examination, or take-home assignment - providing answers to another student in any test, examination, or take-home assignment - taking any unauthorized materials into an examination or term test (crib notes) - impersonating another student or allowing another person to impersonate oneself for the purpose of submitting academic work or writing any test or examination - stealing or mutilating library materials - accessing test prior to the time and date of the sitting - changing name or answer(s) on a test after that test has been graded and returned - submitting the same paper or portions thereof for more than one assignment, without discussions with the instructors involved Group Projects and Group Work Many courses in the Faculty of Management require group projects. Students should be aware that group projects are subject to the same rules regarding academic dishonesty. Because of the unique nature of group projects, all group members should exercise special care to ensure that the group project does not violate the policy on Academic Integrity. Should a violation occur, group members are jointly accountable unless the violation can be attributed to a specific individual(s). Some courses, while not requiring group projects, encourage students to work together in groups (or at least do not prohibit it) before submitting individual assignments. Students are encouraged to discuss this issue as it relates to academic integrity with their instructor to avoid violating this policy. In the Faculty of Management, all suspected cases of academic dishonesty are passed to the Dean' s office in order to ensure consistency of treatment. /hg AACSB Assurance of Learning Goals and Objectives. The Asper School of Business is proudly accredited by AACSB. Accreditation requires a process of continuous improvement of the School and our students. Part of student improvement is ensuring that students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers. To do so, the Asper School has set the learning goals and objectives listed below for the Undergraduate Program. The checked goal(s) and objective(s) will be addressed in this course and done so by means of the items listed next to the checkmark. Goals and Objective in the Undergraduate Program 1 Quantitative Reasoning A. Determine which quantitative analysis technique is appropriate for solving a specific problem. B. Use the appropriate quantitative method in a technically correct way to solve a business problem. C. Analyze quantitative output and arrive at a conclusion. 2 Written Communication A. Use correct English grammar and mechanics in their written Goals and Objectives Addressed in this Course work. B. Communicate in a coherent and logical manner C. Present ideas in a clear and organized fashion. Course Item(s) Relevant to these Goals and Objectives Negotiation exercise/ final exam Presentations/ Negotiation exercise Presentations/ case analysis 5
3 Ethical Thinking A. Identify ethical issues in a problem or case situation B. Identify the stakeholders in the situation. C. Analyze the consequences of alternatives from an ethical standpoint. D. Discuss the ethical implications of the decision. 4 Core Business Knowledge Most classes Ch 3,4,5 discussion All cases All cases 6