Workers' Rights Conference October 11-12, 2002 East Lansing, Michigan
School of Labor & Industrial Relations at		The AFL-CIO and the School of Labor and Industrial Relations at Michigan State University will co-host a conference on workers' rights at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on October 11-13, 2002. This is a solicitation for papers for that conference.
• Purpose of the conference  • Submissions and Related Information  • Publication  • Due Date and Response Date  • Conference Schedule and Papers  • Basic Logistical Issues  • Questions		PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE The primary goal of the conference is to stimulate and disseminate research on workers' rights, generally, and with respect to unionization, collective bargaining, and freedom of association, as well as the consequences for workers and society of failing to protect these rights. Other related goals include strengthening the links between labor and academics and encouraging academic research and scholarly interaction on matters related to worker' rights. Examples of topics addressing workers' rights with respect to unionization, collective bargaining, and freedom of association can be found in the AFL-CIO Voice@Work Research Agenda which can be obtained by e-mailing Sheldon Friedman at sfriedma@aflcio.org. Proposals for research that address such issues as child labor, forced labor, the right to be free from job-related discrimination, the right to a safe and healthy workplace and employment relationship, privacy at the workplace, social protection at the workplace, and other related issues are also welcome. We are encouraging proposals that address the substance and the impact of protecting, or failing to protect, such rights. Impact studies are encouraged at a range of levels (e.g., national, industry, firm/organization, workplace, individual) and from a variety of disciplinary frameworks, including, but not limited to industrial relations, economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, law, history, and labor studies. . While the major focus of the conference will be on union organizing and workers' rights in the United States, proposals that have a comparative/international perspective are welcome.
		SUBMISSIONS AND RELATED INFORMATION We will accept for consideration for presentation both completed papers and one page descriptions of research in progress. Preference for selection for presentation will be given to completed papers. Submission of Completed Papers If you wish to submit a completed paper for consideration for presentation at the conference, please submit a file as an attachment to an e-mail message to Richard Block, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, South Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, block@msu.edu. Submission of Abstracts If you wish to present a paper based on research in progress, please provide a one-page (single-spaced) description of the proposed paper. The description must include the tentative title, the hypothesis or research question, an overview of the data and/or methodology, and the stage of progress of the research. The submission must be as an attachment to an e-mail message to Richard Block, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, South Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, block@msu.edu. Submissions accepted for presentation based on descriptions of research in progress must be based on research completed before the conference. In order to assure the presentation of completed research at the conference, acceptance for presentation based on a description of research in progress will be contingent on the submission of completed papers to the conference organizers one month prior to the conference. Criteria for Acceptance Acceptance for presentation will be based primarily on the quality of the research as determined by the conference organizers. The extent to which the paper or abstract is consistent with other submissions so as to create a unified theme for a session will also be considered. Number of Papers to Be Accepted It is anticipated that ten 10 papers will be accepted for presentation from this solicitation. There will also be approximately 10 papers invited from among researchers known by the organizing committee to be writing on workers' rights.
		PUBLICATION We are exploring possibilities for publication, and these will be announced if and when they are confirmed.
		DUE DATE AND RESPONSE DATE All responses to this solicitation must be submitted no later than October 1, 2001. All persons who submit a paper proposal or abstract will receive a response by November 1, 2001.
		BASIC LOGISTICAL ISSUES The conference co-sponsors will provide meals and a reception. Attendees are asked to pay for their transportation and lodging. Please note that the conference will include a Saturday night stay so attendees may avail themselves of low airfares. Lansing/East Lansing is located in southern lower Michigan (See Map), approximately 90 miles northwest of Detroit, 230 miles northeast of Chicago (via highway around Lake Michigan), and 300 miles/500 kilometers west of Toronto. It is accessible by air via connections from Chicago (United),Cincinnati (Delta), Cleveland (Continental), Detroit (Northwest), Minneapolis (Northwest), and Pittsburgh (US Air), by rail (Amtrak) from Chicago and Toronto, and by bus.
		QUESTIONS If you have any questions, please contact Richard Block at 517-353-3896 (Voice), 517-355-7656 (FAX), or at block@msu.edu.