Event: A North American Labor Relations Conference

Association of Labor Relations Agencies

Presents

A North American Labor Relations Conference

Seeking  Solutions  in  Difficult  Times

Monday, July 21, 2008

Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center
Burlington, Vermont

Sponsored By:
New England Consortium of State Labor Relations Agencies

Hosted By:
Vermont Labor Relations Board

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.    REGISTRATION

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.    WELCOME

Presiding:  Elizabeth MacPherson, Chairperson, Canada Industrial Relations Board, and President, Association of Labor Relations Agencies

Welcome:  James Douglas, Governor of Vermont

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.    KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Innovative Approaches to Improving Union Density

Speaker: Buzz Hargrove, President, Canadian Auto Workers

Discussion Leader: Martin Malin, Professor and Director, Institute for Law and the Workplace,
                               Chicago-Kent College of Law

Our keynote speaker will focus on the recent agreement the Canadian Auto Workers reached
with Magna, the largest auto parts manufacturer in Canada, regarding the unionization of
Magna’s Canadian Facilities as an innovative approach to improving union density.  Following
the keynote address, Professor Malin will lead a discussion among conference participants on
lessons to be learned from the CAW-Magna agreement for other labor-management relationships
in the United States and Canada.

10:15 a.m.    Break

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.    COMING TO TERMS WITH UNDERFUNDED EMPLOYEE & RETIREE BENEFITS

Speakers:

•    Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene, Principal Authors of Pew Center On The States report Promises With a Price – Public Sector Retirement Benefits

•    James Dunn, Esq., Mickenberg, Dunn, Kochman, Lachs & Smith, PLC

•    Jonathan Leopold, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Burlington    

New GASB accounting rules, changing demographics and constrained revenues have pushed to the forefront the issue of whether a crisis is brewing in government with respect to underfunded employee and retiree benefits. The principal co-authors of a groundbreaking report will discuss the long-term costs of these benefits, whether states are prepared to pay the significant bill coming due, and why it matters. The other panelists will present a case study of ongoing struggles of a municipal employer and its unions addressing an underfunded pension plan.      

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.   LUNCHEON ADDRESS- Decline and Disenchantment: Reflections on the                                                                         
                                                                          Aging of the National Labor Relations Board

Speaker: Wilma Liebman, Member, National Labor Relations Board

The senior member of the National Labor Relations Board presents her views on the relevance of the National Labor Relations Act in the contemporary workplace and the performance of the National Labor Relations Board in administering the Act.

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.        CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

I – State of the States: State Government Budget Shortfalls and Labor
                Relations Implications

        Speakers:

•    Elizabeth McNichol, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Co-Author of Center report on State Budget Shortfalls

•    Marc Pfeiffer, Deputy Director, Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs                                 

•    Peter Thor, Director of Policy and Planning, AFSCME Council 4 (invited)

The panelists will address state government budget shortfalls in Northeastern states, exacerbated by a declining economy, and the existing and potential labor relations impacts of the deteriorating budgets.

II – Kentucky River, British Columbia Health and the Right to Organize and Bargain                                                                                             

    Speakers:

•    Jennifer Henry, President, United Professions of Vermont

•    Peter Robb, Esq., Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC

•    Deborah McPherson, President, British Columbia Nurses’ Union

This workshop will discuss and contrast the legal frameworks in the United States and Canada concerning the extension of collective bargaining rights to employees. The National Labor Relations Board’s Kentucky River decisions will be contrasted with the British Columbia Health decision of the Canada Supreme Court, which results in a more expansive view of the rights of employees to belong to unions than is reflected in the Kentucky River decisions.

III – Dealing with the Interplay of FMLA, ADA and Workers Compensation Statutes in a
         Union Setting                                                

Speakers:

•    Susan Gilfillan, Esq., McNeil, Leddy & Sheahan (Vermont)

•    Jules Smith, Esq., Blitman & King (New York)

The complex interplay among family and medical leave, disabilities and worker compensation laws present an ongoing challenge for unions and employers. The panelists will seek to dispel the confusion and guide participants through the maze of resolving situations implicating these statutes.

3:00 p.m.    Break

3:15 – 4:45 p.m.    Union Activities in the Electronic Workplace

Moderator:  Martin Malin, Professor and Director, Institute for Law and the Workplace, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Panelists:
•    Peter Conrad, Esq., Proskauer Rose LLP

•    Barbara Camens, Esq., Barr & Camens

•    Gills Touchette, Ad.E., Senior Partner, Ogilvy Renault

The National Labor Relations Board’s controversial Register Guard decision will be used as the springboard for this interactive session addressing whether employees may use work e-mail systems for organizing and other union communications.

If you wish to make a hotel reservation, reservations must be received no later than June 20th, 2008.  To obtain the conference rate of $97.00/night plus 10% tax, mention the Association of Labor Relations Agencies.   

Online: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/ALRA

Phone: 1-800-325-3535

You may register online at: http://www.regonline.com/Advocates

OR:

Complete the Registration information below and return with a check made out to ALRA Conference 2008.

     Registration for the conference must be made by July 7th, 2008. 

Please type or print all information below clearly.  A separate registration form is required for each attendee.   This form may be copied for additional registrations.

Mail to:
ALRA Conference 2008
C/O Melinda Moz-Knight
Vermont Labor Relations Board
133 State Street
Montpelier, VT  05633-6101

Please contact Melinda Moz-Knight by phone at (802) 828-2700 or e-mail melinda.moz-knight@state.vt.us for further information.

Continuing Legal Education Credits are pending in New Hampshire, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island