Labor Leaders George Schulz and John Henning Will Be Recognized at
Gala Dinner Nov. 3
For 50 years, Berkeley's Institute of Industrial Relations has played a major role in labor and employment research--research that has lead to a number of key national policy decisions.
On Nov. 3, the institute will celebrate its anniversary with a gala dinner during which George Shultz, former U.S secretary of labor and secretary of state; and John Henning, outgoing executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation AFL-CIO, will be honored.
The two labor leaders will be recognized for their lifetime achievements in management and labor. Shultz currently is a fellow at the Hoover Institution and a director of the Bechtel Group, Inc. Co-chairs of the 50th Anniversary Committee are Lloyd Ulman, professor emeritus of economics, and Clark Kerr, former chancellor and UC president emeritus. Professor Raymond Miles of the Haas School of Business will be the program emcee.
Founded in 1945, the institute focuses on labor and employment research. Research by its faculty also supports graduate students in many departments and assists professionals in law, labor and business through the institute's publications. Among its publications is the widely respected academic journal, Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society.
Economics Professor Clair Brown is the current director. Faculty come together from several academic departments to support the research. "This multi-disciplinary environment has always been the source of intellectual stimulation for faculty and students, and the source of a continued excellent reputation worldwide," said Brown.
The institute also sponsors several community service programs. These include the Center for Labor Research and Education, the Labor Project for Working Families and the National Center for the Workplace.
Even before the institute was founded, Berkeley was a leader in labor education. During the 1930s, faculty were active in San Francisco labor relations.
In 1944, Gov. Earl Warren asked UC President Gordon Sproul to expand the programs in labor and industrial relations to foster "open and honest labor-management relationships." The following year, Kerr created the Institute of Industrial Relations.
Funded by corporations, private foundations and government, its faculty conduct research used by graduate students from many departments, including business, economics, agricultural resources, education, political science, sociology, public policy and psychology.
The institute's research also benefits the labor, business and legal communities through its publications. The "Labor Center Reporter" reports on labor issues, and "California Public Employee Relations" is read by California's public sector legal and arbitration community. In addition, the institute maintains a library and a World Wide Web site.
Tickets to the Nov. 3 dinner are available for a donation of $125. The event will be held at Alumni House. A reception and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with talks by Shultz and Henning beginning at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and information, call 642-8545.