<p>The Gateway Chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) will host a half-day program on Feb. 24, "Economic Shockwaves: Impact on Employers and Unions."&nbsp; Presenters will address how the fundamental changes in the structure and performance of our economy is affecting labor-management relations and the impact of the bailouts, stock market collapse and housing foreclosures upon labor negotiations.<br /><br />Dr. John Navin, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, will present an economic overview describing events that led to our current situation and what he believes is needed for recovery.&nbsp; Nationally recognized speakers will compose the panel addressing the economics of bargaining and critical issues and trends: <strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Tom Schneider, CEO/ founder, Restructuring Associates, Inc. in Washington, DC.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; Dr. Schneider was the design and implementation consultant for the first unionized high performance work system in North America, the first joint union-management strategic visioning process, and the largest labor-management partnership in history.<br />&nbsp;<strong><br />Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld, University of Illinois, School of Labor and Employment Relations and president-elect of LERA. </strong>He is the author of five books and over eighty articles, book chapters and policy monographs that address new work systems, labor-management relations, negotiations, conflict resolution, organizational learning and change, and public policy. <br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Steve Sleigh, principal, Yucaipa Companies and former director, Strategic Resources, Machinists Union.</strong> Dr. Sleigh is a past president of the Industrial Relations Research Association. Previously, he was the Research Director for the Teamsters Union and Deputy Director of the Center for Labor-Management Policy Studies at the City University of New York. He is the author of two books and numerous articles and policy reports.<br /><br />The conference, which is open to the public, will be held at Genesis Banquet Center, 2651 Telegraph Rd. in South County.&nbsp; Admission is free for co-sponsor members and $50 for nonmembers.&nbsp; The registration deadline for the conference is Feb. 18th.&nbsp; Registration for the conference is available by phone, fax, email or mail.&nbsp; The conference brochure and registration form may be downloaded from the LERA website:&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.lera-gateway.org">www.lera-gateway.org</a>.&nbsp; For registration information, call 618.259.7011 or email <a href="mailto:athomason@district9.org">athomason@district9.org</a>.</p>