Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - LBST 309 D100

Labour and Collective Bargaining (3)

Class Number: 1111

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 18, 2018
    Wed, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Tom Walker
    jtwalker@sfu.ca
    Office: AQ 6219
    Office Hours: Tuesdays 14:30-15:30

  • Prerequisites:

    Strongly Recommended: LBST 101 and at least one other Labour Studies course.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to collective bargaining: it will cover the legal requirements of the Labour Code, the bargaining process and the organizational structure and components of collective agreements, including the grievance-arbitration process.

COURSE DETAILS:

Labour and Collective Bargaining covers the basics of labour relations as it applies to union organization, collective bargaining, contract administration and dispute resolution. We will examine the historical, legal, social and economic frameworks of the unionized workplace, including aspects such as the labour code, certification of bargaining units, the Rand formula, contract costing, the negotiation process, strikes, mediation/conciliation/arbitration, equity bargaining, public sector unions, grievance procedures and union busting/avoidance.

This course features a collective bargaining simulation exercise, which takes place during the eleventh and twelfth weeks of the course. A significant portion of the readings and class
discussion preliminary to the bargaining simulation is intended to provide background and a foundation for that exercise.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students taking this course will develop an understanding of: 

  • the adversary system of labour relations and its legal context;
  • why workers, employers and the broader society are in favor of or oppose unions;
  • historical evolution of union rights to organize, to bargain collectively and to strike;
  • the organizational structure of bargaining units;
  • the economic and nonmarket elements of collective agreements;
  • the principles and outcomes of organizing, bargaining and dispute resolution processes;
  • grievance/arbitration processes that enforce the agreement and
  • the role of the courts, government, and labour relations boards.

Grading

  • Seminar participation (includes quizzes) 10%
  • Collective bargaining simulation 15%
  • Midterm exam 20%
  • Research essay or annotated bibliography (due in stages) 35%
  • Final exam 20%

NOTES:

All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.  The Morgan Centre for Labour Studies follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and misconducted procedures (S10.01-S10.04).  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of these policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

All students are expected to read SFU’s policies concerning academic honesty and student conduct [S 10.01 and S10.04]. The policies can be read at this website: www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.

REQUIREMENTS:

There will be a midterm and a final exam in this course. Term papers will consist of an annotated bibliography completed in three stages – proposal, draft outline and final paper – on a topic that explores an aspect of collective bargaining of special interest to the student. A handout supplement to the course syllabus will outline detailed requirements for each stage.

Final term papers will total approximately 3500 words (ten pages) and critically engage an appropriate range of scholarly publications. Seminar participation and participation in the collective bargaining simulation in weeks ten and eleven are integral to the course.

All assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade to be assigned.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

A courseware package containing assigned readings for LBST 309 will be available through the SFU bookstore. Links to download online copies of the required readings from the SFU library will also be posted on Canvas. 

The Guide to B.C. Labour Relations Code is available online.

RECOMMENDED READING:

An extensive list of supplementary reading will be provided in the course syllabus.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS