John Lund

Electronic performance monitoring: A review of research issues.

The research literature on electronic performance monitoring (EPM) has attributed different outcomes to monitoring, including improved worker performance, reduced job satisfaction and increased job stress. A variety of research methods (case study, cross-sectional and laboratory designs) has been utilized to study these effects of EPM. In this paper, these methods are reviewed, and the results of several studies are summarized. The existing literature often does not clearly specify what is meant by monitoring. Future research on outcomes associated with monitoring should describe carefully the type of monitoring technology and system used - who does the monitoring, when it is done, and what aspect of performance is monitored. It is further suggested that future EPM research should describe in greater detail the work environment, the job tasks, and the organizational climate of monitored and non-monitored workers to determine whether these groups are comparable with respect to these factors, and that observed outcomes are not misattributed to EPM.

‘Under the Clock’: Trade Union Responses to Cmputerised Control in US and Australian Grocery Warehousing

In contrast to optimistic interpretations of contemporary work reorganisation, the example of computerised work monitoring in US and Australian grocery warehousing highlights a far more negative picture of work intensification, job stress and low trust relations. Despite significant variation in trade union response, the article argues such examples reinforce the need for strong and independent trade union regulation to limit the worst excesses of workplace rationalisation.

Integrating the Supply Chain: Industrial Relations Implications in US Grocery Distribution

Recent technological innovations have emphasised increasing integration between enterprises across the supply chain. This article reviews these developments within US grocery distribution and highlights the potential for supply chain integration to increase union bargaining power, as well as employer strategies aimed at reducing the threat of industrial vulnerability resulting from cross-enterprise interdependence.

Building Union Power Through the Supply Chain Mapping Opportunities and Jurisdic tional Boundaries in Grocery Distribution

The trend towards increasing integration within the grocery sup ply chain is identified and its implications for trade union organiz ing explored. While offering greater efficiencies and reduced costs for employers, supply chain integration may also offer unions a new lever for organizing. The article outlines a methodology for mapping union coverage and highlights potential impediments to union organizing such as contracting out and jurisdictional dis putes. Unions need to adopt a strategic approach to organizing and the early resolution of jurisdictional conflicts in order to take full advantage of current changes within the grocery supply chain.

Determining fatigue allowances for grocery order selectors

This paper compares and contrasts four fatigue allowance worksheets commonly used to establish fatigue (relaxation) allowances for production standards; the factors, weights, degree of documentation and other operational characteristics of these worksheets are also examined. We briefly review the fatigue literature including objective physical measures of fatigue. Results of an experiment in which 11 industrial engineers independently applied the four worksheets to a standardized job analysis and video tape of a grocery order selector are reported. We conclude that inter-rater reliability and cross-validation are very low for the four worksheets and suggest validation studies using objective physiological measures of fatigue would be appropriate.

Finding Their Voice The Struggle of the Illinois Court Reporters to Win Union Recognition

After a brief review of organizing models and the current legal environment for public employee organizing, the recent successful campaign of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to organizing Illinois state court reporters is chronicled here into five distinct but interrelated stages. Throughout this five-year campaign, which culminated in a successful representation election in Cook County and the unions first collective bargaining agreement, the union relied differentially on traditional organizing campaign tactics, as well as comprehensive and legislative-political campaigns. Although Illinois had a comprehensive public sector law, this case demonstrates public employee organizing campaigns will continue to be hard fought.

Indoor Air Quality Investigation: Experience with a Questionnaire Survey Instrument

Abstract Industrial hygienists are increasingly being called upon to evaluate indoor air quality concerns. NIOSH has developed an initial assessment protocol that includes a worker survey questionnaire, a building characterization, and a walk-through survey. This initial assessment may be followed by environmental monitoring. The results of administering the NIOSH worker survey questionnaire at a midwestern community-college building are reported. The instrument was administered to 104 nonsupervisory workers and 74 were returned. Data are reported on environmental concerns and health symptoms by building area. Air dryness and lack of air circulation appear to be the top problems. Headaches were reported by nearly 30 percent of respondents, followed by throat irritation (16.2 percent), dry skin, and dry eyes. Building characterization, walk-through surveys, and environmental monitoring were not conducted here. Uses of these data are illustrated, including cross-tabulation of environmental concerns and eval...

Enabling 'Managed Activism': The Adoption of Call Centres in Australian, British and US Trade Unions

This article examines how trade unions in different country settings have utilised call centre technologies. Rather than viewing union call centres as simply a means of service delivery, our research suggests they can also enable a more strategic approach to workplace organising. We explore the implications of union call centres for debates on servicing and organising models of trade unionism.

Through the Looking Glass Does the Labor Department's New Form LM-2 Really Deliver Greater Transparency?

This article examines whether the new labor organization annual financial report (Form LM-2) has significantly improved transparency of union finances over the old form by providing useful and easily understood information to union members, government, and the public. The new form, filed by unions with

Mapping and Charting Construction Organizing Targets and Opportunities: Lessons from Wisconsin

250,000 or more in annual receipts, was first published by the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Labor-Management Standards in December 2002. After reviewing the changes made in the new LM-2 form, the authors then use data drawn from a stratified random sample of union filings under the new LM-2 form to determine what additional gain in transparency has actually occurred.