Workers are well aware that their job security is tied to their company's competitiveness in the global marketplace, and to their own productivity within the company. Union leaders are working to maintain the employability of their members, and to appeal to the new kinds of workers that the "new economy" is creating.

In response to these challenges, a growing number of unions – often in partnership with their employers – are creating, expanding, or modernizing training programs for workers. The goals: To help workers learn new skills, improve the quality of their products and services, increase their own employability, and enhance the competitiveness of the companies and other institutions where they work.

The Albert Shanker Institute commissioned an opinion survey of four key professional groups in the U.S. ("Finding Their Voices: Professionals and Workplace Representation.") The survey, conducted by the respected Peter D. Hart Research firm, found that while only 23% of professionals have some form of representation in the workplace, fully 55% would approve the establishment of an employee organization. They have clear preferences, however, about the kind of organization they want. It must be one that resists what is perceived to be the "deprofessionalization" of many once-respected occupations. It must seek a true "partnership" with employers. And, perhaps most interesting for this seminar, it must provide support for professional growth and training. In fact, while 58% of those surveyed desired representation that would improve their salaries, and even higher proportion, 63%, sought improved training.

While different countries have different economic conditions, political situations, and labor-management relationships, unions in every advanced economy have a great deal in common. They can learn from one another's efforts. In the global marketplace policies and programs undertaken by one country will have great relevance for workers in other countries.

The Albert Shanker Institute and the New Economy Information Service are co-sponsoring this seminar on workforce development to provide union activists from North America and Western Europe a comparative perspective on:

• what unions can do to assist workers to improve their skills;

• how unions can gain members and build the loyalty of current members through skills development;

• how unions can improve their standing with employers and the general public through effective programs of training and education.

  
  
  

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