Labor and Employment Relations Association
Labor Studies and Union Research
The Labor Studies and Union Research Interest Section of the LERA is a group of LERA members from various disciplinary backgrounds whose interest and focus is the study of labor unions, collective bargaining, and related issues. Our intent is to provide a forum for dialogue, networking, learning, and encouragement for academic, practitioner and student members to participate in our professional community.
Next Meeting: TBA, June 6-9, 2013, St. Louis, MO
There is currently an open call for session ideas and paper proposals on the homecare workforce. Proposals are due to bbruno@illinois.edu by October 1, 2012.
Last Meeting: Thursday, January 5, 2012, Chicago, IL
LABOR STUDIES AND UNION RESEARCH INTEREST SECTION BYLAWS
The Labor Studies and Union Research Section is a constituent organization of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA). The Section shall provide a forum for the exchange of ideas about labor studies and union research and for the professional education of practitioners and researchers in these areas.
The goal of the Section is to advance and disseminate knowledge about labor studies and union research, and to identify and share best practices in these areas. Activities of the Section may include:
a. Submission of proposals for sessions for the annual meeting program of the LERA
b. Organization of section meetings, workshops and/or training sessions at LERA Annual Meetings, Chapter and other meetings
c. Encouragement of professional interaction and collaboration among union and labor relations practioners and labor studies/union researchers.
d. Contribution of articles and ideas to the LERA Newsletter, Perspectives on Work, research volumes, Listservs, the LERA websites and other LERA publications.
e. Appointment of a representative to the Perspectives Editorial Advisory Board (term 3 years) and of two representatives from the section to serve as readers for the annual LERA Refereed Papers Competition.
f. Focus on bringing together opportunities for alliances between LERA and related academic and professional organizations.
g. Operation of an Internet discussion list or maintaining a webpage on the LERA website.
h. Any other related activities.
Membership is open to all members of the national LERA who are interested in advancing knowledge in the fields of labor studies and union research. An annual Section meeting will be held at each LERA annual meeting.
Section policy, consistent with the bylaws, will be determined by a simple majority of Section members present at each annual Section meeting. A quorum of ten (10) members shall be sufficient to conduct business. The Section will consider agenda items or action suggested by any section or LERA member received via postal or e-mail 90 days in advance of the meeting. Minutes of each meeting may be prepared if deemed necessary by those present. A secretary may be designated for this purpose.
In the period between annual Section meetings, the Section shall be governed by two Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs shall be elected for a 3-year term, and the Co-Chairs or their designee shall preside at the annual Section meeting. Candidates for Co-Chair shall be nominated from the floor at the annual Section meeting and the Co-Chairs shall be elected by a simple majority of those present. Nominations may also be submitted to the Co-Chairs in writing or by e-mail from any Section member not less than two weeks in advance of the meeting.
These bylaws will take effect at the 2006 annual meeting of the Section and may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at any annual Section meeting. Any proposed amendments must be submitted to the Co-Chairs in writing so that they may be posted on the LERA website at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.
Consistent with the LERA Constitution and tax laws that govern 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations, this Section may act as a forum for constructive dialogue on policy matters, but it will not act in a lobbying capacity unless there is a consensus among Section members and written advance approval from the LERA Executive Board.
