Paul Gerhart, Ph.D. – Professor of Labor and Human Resources at Case Western Reserve University

Friday February 15, 2008
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Crawford Hall – Room 9
Inamori Center
Case Western Reserve University

Forty years ago, bargaining between the United Autoworkers and the “Big Three” U.S. auto companies was an economic summit, a meeting of superpowers. Last Fall, it may have seemed more like negotiations between endangered species. Yet in 2007 as in 1967, these negotiations had major implications for the U.S. economy. Instead of how benefits would be extended, and living standards raised, however, the issues now are how severely protections for workers will be eroded, and whether the employers will survive at all.

Professor Gerhart has researched relationships between labor and management in Northeast Ohio for over 20 years. In addition to doing studies ranging from plant closings to the partnership between Kaiser-Permanente and its unions, he also is an experienced arbitrator in labor-management disputes, and serves on the Board of the Research and Education Foundation of the National Academy of Arbitrators. Join us to discuss trends in labor-management relations and what they mean for our economy.

The Friday Lunch is a brown-bag event open to all.  Cookies and some beverages are provided.

The remainder of this e-mail reports what we know about the schedule for the rest of the semester. We will be sending out announcements each week. If you would prefer not to receive the announcements, please inform Dr. Andrew Lucker, Associate Director of the Center for Policy Studies, by e-mail (andrew.lucker@case.edu).

About Our Guest

The last 20 years of Paul Gerhart’s research has focused primarily on relationships between labor and management in Northeast Ohio. He’s examined the “labor climate,” including negotiations when plant closings are threatened. Most recently, Paul has been part of a multi-university team studying the labor-management partnership between Kaiser Permanente and its unions, America’s largest and oldest partnership that promotes employee/union involvement and organizational effectiveness. Paul’s current work also includes a study of factors that lead to higher performance in Employee Stock Ownership Programs.

Part Time Election Positions Available

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections is looking for some part time help for the March 4th Ohio primary. There are two positions available, ballot drop off assistant and ballot drop off captain. For more information click here. (pdf)

Friday Lunch Parking News

On February 22 no parking will be available in the Visitor Information Center Lot (located between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel) because there is a full Case Western Reserve University Board of Trustees meeting.

Friday Lunch and Other Public Affairs Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

February 22: Chris Cullis, Professor of Biology at Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “Lost Crops of Africa – Involving Undergraduates in their Rediscovery.”

February 29: Robin Dubin, Associate Professor of Economics at Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “The Real Estate Meltdown.”

March 7: Peter J. Whitehouse MD PhD. Professor of Neurology and Cognitive Science. “The Myth of Alzheimers.”

March 21: J. Adin “Jay” Mann, Professor of Chemical Engineering: “Peak Oil.”

April 4: Jerry Floersch PhD, LISW, Associate Professor in MSASS, “The Psychosocial and Sociocultural Dimensions of Prescribing Psychiatric Medication to Adolescents.”

April 18: Megan Whalen Turner fiction writer for young adults and author of, Instead Of Three Wishes, The Thief, The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia; Anne Ursu is the author of the novels Spilling Clarence and The Disapparation of James, Joe White Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Chair, Department if Political Science, Case Western Reserve University, will discuss, “Moral Dilemmas in Politics and Fiction.”

The Friday Lunch discussions are held on the lower (ground) level of
Crawford Hall.  Visitors with mobility issues may find it easiest to take advantage of special arrangements we have made.  On most Fridays, a few parking spaces in the V.I.P. lot in between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel are held for participants in the lunch discussion.

Visitors then can avoid walking up the hill to the first floor of Crawford by entering the building on the ground level, through the garage area under the building.  The further door on the left in that garage will be left unlocked during the period before the Friday lunch.  On occasion, parking will be unavailable because of other university events.

For more information about these and other Center for Policy Studies programs, please see http://policy.case.edu.