[PEN-L:7413] discrimination text
Apologies for the advertisement... _Unlevel Playing Fields: Understanding Wage Inequality and Discrimination_, a textbook by Randy Albelda, Bob Drago, and Steve Shulman, is now available from McGraw-Hill. ISBN: ISBN: 0-07-000968-6 (234 pp., softcover), suggested price $28 (net to bookstores $22). Instructor's manual available in December. This book is a short, non-technical introduction to neoclassical economics, political economy, and discrimination. It can be used to anchor courses on discrimination or diversity across schools and disciplines, can serve in economic issues or principles courses (when used with supplementary materials), or it can be used as a supplement to courses in women's studies, african-american studies, or sociology. It mainly sticks with male/female and black/white issues in the U.S. The book works well in class because it is well- written and, at least by economist standards, fun :-) For further info, check: http://www.uwm.edu/~drago/unlevel.html If you would like to receive an examination copy, please drop me an email at the address below. Cheers, Bob Bob Drago [EMAIL PROTECTED] (414)229-6494[ph] (414)229-3860[fx] Econ. Labor Relations http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/MILR MILR Univ. Wisconsin-Milwaukee PO 413 Milwaukee WI 53201 USA
Saturn
Many thanks to those of you who responded on conditions at Saturn. Although it is possible that more information will come in, at this time there is nothing beyond some newspaper articles and a nice piece in Labor Notes. That article suggests a possible explanation for the dearth of info on Saturn: "After reports of problems at Saturn surfaced in national newspapers, workers said the entire plant was closed for a product security meeting. Workers say they were shown videos detailing what happens to workers who leak plant secrets... The videos featured workers who were jailed for giving out company secrets."(April 1994) The work of the Labor Notes staff is admirable in getting this material out, and whoever braved the company's wrath to bring this information to light is to be commended. Gee, I guess the Pinkerton's aren't restricted to airports anymore... Cheers, Bob Drago [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Saturn query
Dear Pen-lers, Regarding my request yesterday for info on the Saturn plant, unless you specify otherwise, I will assume it is okay to forward whatever you send to others on Pen-l who are interested in Saturn (I will not forward messages from today, since broadcasting was not mentioned). If people wish some messages not to be forwarded, that wish will be respected. I recieved numerous messages today mentioning Labor Notes' recent article on racism at Saturn (thanks), but nothing about quality, accidents, supervision, or the UAW per se showed up. I am still hoping someone out there will know what is going on. The secrecy surrounding the place is scary! There is every reason to hope information on this place will get out, so I hope those of you responding will allow further broadcasting. But once stories are third or fourth hand, I certainly understand why people would not want the stories relayed as 'unfiltered truth'. Cheers, Bob //--------------------\\ Bob Drago, Econ. Dept.[EMAIL PROTECTED] UW-Milwaukee (414)229-6494 (voice) Milwaukee WI 53201-0413 (414)229-3860 (FAX) \\--------------------//
Saturn
Does anyone know about conditions at GM's Saturn plant? I had a most disturbing conversation today with a business type who went off like a rocket (no pun intended) when I mentioned Saturn. He believes they have serious problems with quality/rework and accidents in the plant, mainly due to stress associated with harsh supervision and a UAW local that refuses to back up workers on much of anything. To add to this, at a conference here last week, a Saturn union rep claimed they had 100 grievances last year with 90 of these for unfair dismissal. While the union has a 'duty' to represent the workers, they 'hate to go against the teams.' In the context of the presentation, this sounded democratic, but in light of today's conversation, it seems quite ominous. Any information, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated. Please send e-mail to the address below. Cheers, Bob Drago PS. Many thanks to those who responded to my query about NUMMI (the other unionized and 'transformed' workplace). The answer to the question of whether NUMMI has gains-sharing is that a system was introduced recently, over the objections of the UAW local. An article by a worker in the plant also claimed that Toyota threatened to pull out last year if they did not receive further concessions from workers, which were promptly provided. I cannot vouch for the validity of these claims, but will gladly forward the messages to anyone who is interested. //--------------------\\ Bob Drago, Econ. Dept.[EMAIL PROTECTED] UW-Milwaukee (414)229-6494 (voice) Milwaukee WI 53201-0413 (414)229-3860 (FAX) \\--------------------//
Nummi
My grad seminar in worker participation was covering Levine and Tyson's paper in Blinder's "Paying for Productivity," and we realized that their key example of a successful workplace with participation is the GM-Toyota Nummi plant. There's a little sleight of hand, however; when they get to the 'Interaction of Firm and Environment' section, they rename the plant Munni, and claim it has gains-sharing (a key ingrediant for successful participation according to LT). Does anyone on the pen-l network know whether Nummi has any form of gains-sharing? Does anyone know the basis of pay there (I thought it was a pay-for-knowledge system). Help either over pen-l or to [EMAIL PROTECTED] would be most appreciated. Cheers, Bob Drago
Nummi
My grad seminar in worker participation was covering Levine and Tyson's paper in Blinder's "Paying for Productivity," and we realized that their key example of a successful workplace with participation is the GM-Toyota Nummi plant. There's a little sleight of hand, however; when they get to the 'Interaction of Firm and Environment' section, they rename the plant Munni, and claim it has gains-sharing (a key ingrediant for successful participation according to LT). Does anyone on the pen-l network know whether Nummi has any form of gains-sharing? Does anyone know the basis of pay there (I thought it was a pay-for-knowledge system). Help either over pen-l or to [EMAIL PROTECTED] would be most appreciated. Cheers, Bob Drago
