Rebuilding the Labor Movement: Historical and Current Perspectives
29th Annual Southwest Labor Studies Association Conference
May 8-10, 2003
International House
University of California, Berkeley
Co-Sponsored by Labor Center for Education and Research, UCB
Conference Call For Presentation Proposals
At its height in the mid-1950s, organized labor represented one-third of all US workers. Today the percentage of union workers in the labor force stands at 13.9%. Labor's numbers are on the rise, but the overall percentage of union workers has stood still. Real wages have fallen over the last 30 years, and many jobs created in the current economic environment provide low pay, no benefits, and little hope for advancement.
How can labor rebuild itself, and how can it tackle the problems and challenges presented in the early 21st century. How has it rebuilt itself in the past? What were its strategies? What circumstances promoted or deterred its growth? How relevant are they now?
We invite proposals for papers and other presentations that address the historical and current issues on the task of labor's reconstruction, both regionally and nationally. We welcome all proposals, especially those that address one or more of the following issues:
Where Has Work Gone?: The Challenge of a Post-Industrial Labor Movement
International Perspectives on Immigration, Work, and Unions Work and Unions after 9-11
Organizing the "Unorganizable": New Sectors of Organized Workers
Strikes: Do They Still Work?
The National Labor Relations Board: A Countervailing Force?
Technology and the New Unionism: Hi-Tech Work, the Internet and Labor
On-Campus Organizing: Students, Workers and Unions
The Labor Movement and Environmental Activism
Both individual papers and full panel proposals are welcome. Proposals for panels should include a one-page summary, a list of presenters and their topics, and brief bios or vitas. Workshops will include ample time for audience response and participation. We encourage informal and lively presentations, and discourage the reading of papers. Think also of proposals which may incorporate song, dramatic readings, and other examples of creatively presenting labor issues.
Deadline for proposals is January 15, 2003. Submitters will be contacted by February 15, 2003.
Send proposals to:
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