2011 National Policy Forum Program

The economic crisis has shown how financial sector activities can spill over into the real economy, undermining employment and the sustainability of enterprises. The Restoring Financial Stability Act of 2010 was designed to curb the kind of speculative activity that led to the crisis. This panel will discuss the increased role of finance in the real economy and its&srquote effect on firms, jobs, and labor relations. How have the rules of the game changed? What is the role of new financial intermediaries, such as Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds; and what is the impact of new financial regulation? Q and A to follow.

The panel will explore novel policy approaches and needed regulations to secure retirement income. They will discuss multiemployer DB plans, some of which enjoyed limited protections under the PPA, and DC plans. They will also examine the pitfalls and potential of a universally favorite plan design innovation which combines features from defined contribution (DC) plans and defined benefit (DB) pensions. This design could gather bipartisan support soon. It is well known the tax code&srquotes credits and deductions for retirement accounts have a spotty record in increasing personal savings for use at retirement. The panel will critically examine how accounting and actuarial rule changes have influenced many retirement savings decisions, particularly by employers to offer specific types of plans. Accounting and actuarial rule making bodies are weighing their next steps. What lies in store for retirement savings? Q and A to follow.

In the wake of the financial crisis and recession, state and local pensions are in the headlines. Although most pensions are positioned to recover over the long haul, meeting retirement obligations will be harder for some states and cities than others. How are states and cities balancing the need for reform and the need to protect employee and retiree rights? This workshop will discuss public pension trends across the country and explore how key stakeholders &ndash unions, legislatures, and municipal managers &ndash are engaging discussions about what is necessary to restore the health of public pensions. Q and A to follow.

The green economy remains an emerging and rapidly developing phenomenon. Spurred on by concerns about the environment and foreign energy dependence, and fostered by innovation, favorable public policy, and new methods of financing, the green economy offers the promise of job growth and economic gain. However, many aspects of the green economy&mdashincluding defining and measuring green jobs&mdashremain elusive. In this session we will review recent developments in the green economy, including the efforts of industry, labor, and the government to promote green economic development, the impact of corporate sustainability on jobs, and look at the state of green economy research. Q and A to follow.

This panel of top federal labor relations agency officials will discuss the current challenges to collective bargaining and how their agencies are responding. The panelists will look at the shifting ground for many employers and labor unions, how the economic downturn has affected their agencies' missions, and possible changes in the regulatory environment. A lively discussion can be expected on all aspects of the labor management relationship in the federal, private and transportation sectors. Q and A to follow.

Formidable political obstacles have blocked immigration reform in recent years, yet the plight of the nation&srquotes estimated 12 million undocumented people continues to command attention in the policy community, and remains a key concern for both employers and unions. In this session, prominent advocates of comprehensive immigration reform reflect on the lessons of previous efforts to pass such legislation, and on future prospects. Panelists will analyze the recent history of proposals for partial reform&mdashlike the DREAM Act and AgJobs&mdashand explore the conditions under which progress on these proposals as well as the broader reform agenda might eventually be possible. Q and A to follow

The country is approximately 18 months into the passing of the historical health care bill. There have been many amendments that have been implemented for all stakeholders and consumers of health care. This panel comprises of important stakeholders and they will speak to how the bill&srquotes requirements are shaping a change for the USA health care delivery system. The panelist will also present on the effects and opportunities of the bill&srquotes amendments that are effective for 2012 and beyond. Q and A to follow.

It is well known that corporations lobby elected officials on a wide range of labor policy issues. Less well known is the role of corporate human resource (HR) executives in conducting such lobbying activity. This session will focus on HR executives&srquote efforts to influence public policy regarding labor relations, wages and hours, independent contractor vs. employee status, health care, workplace safety, pensions/401K plans, and outsourcing of work. Further, because scholarly interest in HR concentrates on the internal role of HR executives in shaping and implementing corporations&srquote work force management practices, this session will provide a useful “corrective” by highlighting the external role of HR executives in lobbying on labor policy. Q and A to follow.

During the economic crisis of 2008-9, sales and employment in the auto industry fell 40% almost overnight. Employee compensation also fell significantly. Now, firm profits have returned to pre-crisis levels, and there is a buzz around innovations such as electrification, new materials, and new electronic applications. What do these changes mean for workers? Does the US industry have the institutional capability to train workers to allow potential innovations to be implemented, or will institutional gaps make it difficult for the US industry to regain competitiveness? This panel will report on a large-scale study of these issues sponsored by the US Department of Labor. Q and A to follow.

This panel features national labor and employment policy initiatives designed to provide strategic capability in the global knowledge economy. Australia&srquotes Fair Work Act, Korea&srquotes Smart Work Act, recent election campaigns in Brazil, enterprise unions in Israel, trans-European works councils, and other such initiatives, illustrate what is and is not possible as nations use labor and employment policy to best position themselves for success. Interwoven with these polices are the strategies of multinational corporations and international unions, which will also be considered. Implications for US labor and employment policy will be highlighted. Q and A to follow