Do you have ideas and energy that can help Pennsylvania find a future that works for all of us? Then the Keystone Research Center invites you to consider: Is There a Better Way? The Future of Work, Education, and Community in Pennsylvania September 6-8, 1996 Holiday Inn/Lancaster Host Hotel Lancaster, PA The wages of a majority of American workers have stagnated or declined. Many with good jobs no longer feel secure. Cut-throat competition has spread low-wage strategies that deliver neither good jobs nor high productivity growth. Americans have begun to fear the future rather than welcome it. Does it have to be this way? Or is there a better way? The conference will ask that question. It will challenge you to start answering it. Because if you don't, who will? Featured Speakers YOU and other attendees are the most critical featured speakers. Norman Hill is the President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Washington, D.C. Larry Mishel is Research Director for the nation's top progressive think tank, the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.. Karen Nussbaum holds the new position of Director of the Working Women's Department at the AFL-CIO. Joel Rogers, a professor at the University of Madison, Wisconsin, has been a moving force behind the creation of a group of progressive research, policy and activist organizations in Wisconsin. Harley Shaiken, a UC-Berkeley professor, was a leading intellectual opponent of the North American Free Trade Agreement. He is an authority on technology, work organization, and the global economy. Andy Stern became President of the Service Employees International Union in March. About The Conference The aims of the Conference are: * To have fun * To put forward and debate ideas that reinforce the faith of participants that recent economic and labor market trends are not irreversible but political problems amenable to political solutions. * To seed on-going study groups among networks of activists and researchers on critical issues. * To strengthen the foundation for future research and coalition building among Pennsylvania progressives. * To launch or strengthen some campaigns on specific issues within Pennsylvania. Who Should Attend * Community organizers and leaders * Members of women's and minority organizations * Union activists, leaders, and organizers * The religious community * Progressive researchers and academics * And others concerned with social justice Keystone Research Center The Keystone Research Center is a research and policy institute in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania established in 1995 through the collaborative efforts of Pennsylvania academics, labor leaders, and other prominent groups and citizens. The Center aims to encourage scholarship that broadens the public debate about strategies to achieve a more prosperous and equitable Pennsylvania economy. KRC's research will document the economic and social situation as it stands and put forward innovative approaches to improving the economy, labor market, and quality of life in Pennsylvania. Activities In addition to the program, the Host has a 27 hole golf course, four indoor and six outdoor tennis courts, miniature golf, basketball, volleyball, bicycle rentals, a 1.9 mile jogging trail and an indoor and outdoor pool. "Kid's World" provides a children's activity program for a nominal fee. TENTATIVE AGENDA The agenda may look crowded. But look closely. There are lots of chances for people to talk among themselves and get to know each other. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. - Registration 10:30 - 12:00 - Idea Exchange - Researchers and activists present their thoughts. (See explanation below) 12:00 - 1:45 p.m. - Lunch and Speaker: "The State of Working America," Larry Mishel; "The State of Working Pennsylvania," Stephen Herzenberg, Keystone Research Center 2:00 - 3:45 p.m. - Plenary Session: "Rebuilding a Progressive Coalition", Welcome, Bill George, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO; Panel: Andy Stern, Joel Rogers, Norman Hill 4:00.-5:30 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops 1 * A New Unionism for the New Economy * A High Road Employment, Training and Economic Development Policy * Minimum and Living Wage Campaigns * Workers' Compensation * Trucking: Good Jobs or Bad Jobs? 6:00-7:30 p.m. - Dinner 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Plenary Session - "Global Economy, Service Economy", Panel: Karen Nussbaum; Harley Shaiken 9:00 p.m. - Music to Make the World a Better Place: Joe Uehlein, Master of Ceremonies SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. - Concurrent Workshops 2 * Working from the Margins: Voices of Mothers in Poverty * School-to-Career Programs * Beyond Unloving Care in Nursing Homes * Central Labor Councils: A Vehicle for Labor Market Transformation? * Health Care Restructuring, the Quality of Care and the Quality of Jobs * The Construction Industry: 19th or 21st Century Competition 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Coffee Talk: Digest What You've Heard 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch 1:15- 2:45 p.m. - Plenary Session: Welcome - Carolyn Dumaresq, Executive Director, PSEA (Panel to be announced) 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Concurrent Workshops 3 * Can Parents, Teachers and their Unions Unite Behind Education Reform? * Minorities and the Labor Market in Pennsylvania * Beyond Low Pay in Office Work * Toward a Worthy Wage and Better Quality in Child Care Work * Community-based Career Ladders 4:30-6:30 p.m. - Disorganized Sports or Free Time 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Barbecue Dinner 8:30 p.m.- Irish Coffee Talk (BYOW/Cash Bar) & Wash Down What You've Heard SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 9:00-10:30 p.m. - Idea Exchange Revisited. Forging Small Networks for the Future 11:00- 12:30 p.m. - Plenary Session: Taking Inventory of Ideas from Workshops and the Idea Exchange. Idea Exchange: Do you have an idea or paper you want to share? Set up a desk or easel display at the Idea Exchange. Participants will walk the floor, stopping to read, pick up materials, and chat. The deadline for submission of applications is August 9, 1996. To get an application form, call KRC at 717/255-7181. ACCOMMODATIONS A block of rooms has been reserved until August 6 at the Lancaster Host Hotel, Lancaster, PA. When making your room reservation, identify yourself with the "Is There a Better Way?" conference in order to receive the $89.00 per room rate. Reservations are made by calling the Hotel at (800)233-0121 or (717)299-5500. Reservations received after August 6 will be accepted on a space available basis. Registration Is There a Better Way? September 6-8, 1996 Name __________________________________________________ Business/Organization _____________________________________ Address ________________________________________________ State/Zip Code ___________________________________________ Telephone Number ________________________________________ The $200.00 fee covers: materials, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 breakfast and breaks. Deadline for regular registration is August 23, 1996. Please reserve _____ space(s) at $200.00. Make checks or money order payable to Keystone Research Center and mail to: KRC, 412 North Third Street, Harrisburg, Pa 17101. For questions, phone (717)255-7181, fax (717)255-7132, e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] A limited number of scholarships are available for those who really need them. Refunds: Please notify in writing by August 31 to qualify for a refund. Refunds will not be granted for no showsí or late cancellations. Persons requiring an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations to participate, call Keystone Research Center (717/255-7181).
