Panel: Brown University Redux - Effects of Unionization on Graduate Student Employees: Faculty-Student Relations, Academic Freedom, and Pay

In cases involving unionization of graduate student research and teaching assistants at private U.S. universities, the National Labor Relations Board has, at times, denied collective bargaining rights on the presumption that unionization would harm faculty--student relations and academic freedom. Using survey data collected from PhD students in five academic disciplines across eight public U.S. universities, the authors compare represented and non-represented graduate student employees in terms of faculty--student relations, academic freedom, and pay. Unionization does not have the presumed negative effect on student outcomes, and in some cases has a positive effect. Union-represented graduate student employees report higher levels of personal and professional support, unionized graduate student employees fare better on pay, and unionized and nonunionized students report similar perceptions of academic freedom. These findings suggest that potential harm to faculty--student relationships and academic freedom should not continue to serve as bases for the denial of collective bargaining rights to graduate student employees

Effects of Unionization on Graduate Student Employees: Faculty-Student Relations, Academic Freedom, and Pay

In cases involving unionization of graduate student research and teaching assistants at private U.S. universities, the National Labor Relations Board has, at times, denied collective bargaining rights on the presumption that unionization would harm faculty-student relations and academic freedom. Using survey data collected from PhD students in five academic disciplines across eight public U.S. universities, the authors compare represented and non-represented graduate student employees in terms of faculty-student relations, academic freedom, and pay. Unionization does not have the presumed negative effect on student outcomes, and in some cases has a positive effect. Union-represented graduate student employees report higher levels of personal and professional support, unionized graduate student employees fare better on pay, and unionized and nonunionized students report similar perceptions of academic freedom. These findings suggest that potential harm to faculty-student relationships and academic freedom should not continue to serve as bases for the denial of collective bargaining rights to graduate student employees

Unionization, Union Involvement, and the Performance of Gainsharing Programs

Nous traitons ici de la question de savoir d'abord si la présence syndicale influence le rendement d'un programme de partage des gains et, ensuite, si la participation du syndicat à l'administration du programme en favorise le succès. Nous adoptons quatre perspectives théoriques pour examiner ces questions : (1) un modèle de coût agence/transaction basé sur la théorie économique néoclassique ; (2) un modèle monopolistique basé sur l'analogie entre le monopole syndical et le monopole sur le marché du produit ; (3) un modèle institutionnel ou de voix collective, et (4) un modèle à deux visages où les syndicats sont en même temps des monopoles et des voix collectives.Les deux premiers modèles insistent sur les influences négatives des syndicats sur le partage des gains. À l'opposé, le modèle de la voix collective prédit un impact positif des syndicats sur le rendement du partage des gains, surtout si cette voix s'exprime par une implication dans l'administration de tel programme. Le dernier modèle suggère que les syndicats peuvent aider ou nuire au rendement du partage des gains, selon lequel des deux visages prédomine. Comme le modèle de la voix collective, ce dernier modèle prédit qu'une insistance plus grande sur la voix collective, par des exercices conjoints, va accroître l'efficacité du programme.Nous avons vérifié empiriquement ces théories en colligeant des données auprès de 217 établissements aux États-Unis et au Canada qui ont vécu des programmes de partage des gains (sur les 622 originalement pointés). Nous utilisons l'analyse de régression multiple pour estimer les relations entre la présence syndicale, son implication dans l'administration des programmes et l'efficacité de ceux-ci.Les données de base incluent les évaluations managériales du succès des programmes. Deux variables dépendantes sont utilisées : l'une simple, l'autre composée. Pour cette dernière, nous recourons à la mesure des moindres carrés. Quant à la première, nous utilisons l'analyse probit. Nous appliquons notre analyse tant à l'échantillon global qu'à des sous-échantillons selon le statut syndical.Les résultats des études empiriques démontrent deux situations syndicales divergentes de façon très similaire quelle que soit la mesure d'efficacité de programme utilisée. Là où les syndicats ne sont pas impliqués dans leur administration, les programmes de partage de gains dans le secteur syndiqué connaissent moins de succès que ceux en milieu non syndiqué.L'inverse est également vrai. Tout cela suggère que l'implication syndicale est cruciale pour le succès de tels programmes dans le secteur privé. De plus, pour ces régressions n'impliquant que l'échantillon syndiqué, la participation syndicale dans l'élaboration du programme est un prédicteur positif et significatif du succès de celui-ci. En somme, vu l'effet négatif sur tels programmes de la non-participation syndicale, nos résultats concordent le plus avec le modèle des deux visages de l'organisation syndicale. Là où les syndicats ne supportent pas le partage des gains, qu'ils en soient exclus ou qu'ils y soient hostiles pour toutes sortes de raisons, le caractère monopolistique de ceux-ci domine et les programmes connaissent alors moins de succès qu'en milieu non syndiqué. Là où les syndicats appuient le partage des gains et là où la gérance accepte l'approche conjointe, le volet de la voix collective des syndicats va prédominer.Notre étude démontre de plus que le rendement des programmes de partage des gains est relié de façon significative aux variables de contrôle suivantes : la taille du groupe bonus, la sorte de plan de bonus, l'environnement industriel, vote ou absence de vote lors du lancement d'un plan et la quantité de formation donnée aux employés. Les équipes d'employés et les comités sur la qualité de vie au travail sont en relation significatives et positives avec la performance du partage des gains dans le sous-échantillon syndiqué seulement. Cela peut servir d'appui à la position qui veut que l'implication des employés a plus de potentiel en milieu syndiqué à cause de la fonction de voix collective des syndicats. Les résultats démontrent également que des programmes extensifs d'implication des employés produisent de meilleurs résultats en partage du travail que les programmes moins rigoureux.Au-delà des preuves à l'appui et à rencontre des différentes théories, la présente étude est forte de conséquences pour l'entreprise et pour les syndicats. Il n'est en apparence pas sage pour les entreprises d'isoler les syndicats dans l'opération de tels programmes, de les exclure de leur administration ou d'utiliser tel programme comme menace au syndicat. Telle stratégie risque de mettre en péril le programme de partage des gains et ainsi causer de sérieuses pertes d’investissements humains et financiers. Les gestionnaires canadiens et américains auront tendance à sous estimer le rôle positif des syndicats dans ces programmes de partage de gains, rôle prouvé sur lequel on doit insister.Les syndicats devraient prendre note de ces résultats. Apparemment, les programmes de partage de gains produiront plus de bénéfices monétaires pour les membres (par des accroissements de productivité) si le syndicat y est activement impliqué. Garder ses distances, être en opposition ou en attente ne semblent pas être des positions optimales pour le syndicat lorsque l'entreprise propose un programme approprié de partage des gains. En plus, certaines indications existent à l'effet que la participation syndicale à l'élaboration de tel programme contribue à son succès.En conclusion, les syndicats ne sont ni bons ni mauvais pour le partage des gains. Leur influence dépend de leur degré de support pour tel programme et de leur implication active dans son administration. Tant les théoriciens que les praticiens en relations industrielles doivent réaliser la complexité de la relation entre syndicats et programme de partage des gains.This study empirically examines the relationships between union status, union involvement, and the performance of gain sharing programs. Using survey data from 217 establishments in the U.S.A. and Canada, the authors evaluate the predictions ofvarious competing theoretical perspectives: the agency/transaction cost approach, the monopoly model, the institutional voice model and a "two faces" model of labour organization. Ordered-probit and OLS regression results show that gain sharing programs with union involvement in program administration resulted in better perceived performance than average programs in the nonunion sector. However, gain sharing programs in the union sector without union involvement had worse outcomes than those in the nonunion sector. These two divergent situations resulted in union status itself having an insignificant relationship with program performance. These results are most compatible with the "two faces" model.Este estudio examina empïricamente las relaciones que existen entre la reputaciòn del sindicato, la participation en el sindicato y la eficiencia de los programas de reparto de utilidades. Usando information obtenida de 217 establecimientos en los Estados Unidos y Canada, los autores evaluaron las predicciones de diferentes perspectivas teòricas : el método por agencia / costo de transaction, el modelo del monopolio, el modelo de la voz institucional y el modelo de las dos facetas de la organizaciòn laboral. Los resultados de regresiones « ordered-probit » y « OLS » demuestran que los programas de reparto de utilidades que cuentan con la participation de los sindicatos en su administraciòn resultan en la perception de un mejor funcionamiento que los programas normales en los sectores no sindicalizados. Sin embargo, los programas de reparto de utilidades en los sectores sindicalizados donde los sindicatos no participaban en la administraciòn de estos, mostraron en gênerai un desempeno peor que aquellos de los sectores no sindicalizados. Estas dos situaciones divergentes dan como resultado que la réputation del sindicato es irrelevante en el desempeno de los programas de reparto de utilidades. Estos resultados son compatibles con los modelos de dos facetas

Choosing Union Representation: The Role of Attitudes and Emotions

In the United States, most unions are recognized by a majority vote of employees through union representation elections administered by the government. Most empirical studies of individual voting behavior during union representation elections use a rational choice model. Recently, however, some have posited that voting is often influenced by emotions. We evaluate competing hypotheses about the determinants of union voting behavior by using data collected from a 2010 representation election at Delta Air Lines, a US-based company. In addition to the older rational choice framework, multiple regression results provide support for an emotional choice model. Positive feelings toward the employer are statistically significantly related to voting ‘no’ in a representation election, while positive feelings toward the union are related to a ‘yes’ vote. Effect sizes for the emotion variables were generally larger than those for the rational choice variables, suggesting that emotions may play a key role in representation election outcomes

O ACESSO À INFORMAÇÃO COMO INSTRUMENTO À EDUCAÇÃO INCLUSIVA: UM OLHAR A PARTIR DO DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL

O presente trabalho tem como tema central os direitos fundamentais no que se refere ao acesso à informação como instrumento à educação inclusiva, a partir da perspectiva da Agenda 2030 da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU).  Para tanto, fora proposta uma análise acerca da Agenda 2030, bem como um estudo bibliográfico sobre o direito humano fundamental ao acesso à informação e seu impacto na educação. A pesquisa utilizou a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica, por sua natureza exploratória, por meio da utilização de artigos da base de dados da CAPES, além da legislação brasileira, documentos internacionais oficiais e outros artigos e obras sobre a temática

Diretrizes para avaliação e tratamento fisioterapêutico da Síndrome de Pusher: estudo de caso

The Pusher´s Syndrome (PS) is a perceptual disorder that occurs in 10% of the cases of hemiparesis caused by stroke. It is characterized by falling to the paretic side, pushing to the paretic side with the non-paretic side and resisting to external correction. The present study aimed to describe the assessment, treatment and clinical evolution of a patient with left paresis and PS, caused by a stroke on the right hemisphere. Six months after the lesion, the patient was submitted to perceptual (human figure drawing test, behavioral inattention test, scale for contraversive pushing, minimental state examination) and functional performance tests (postural assessment stroke scale, Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, functional independence measure and Barthel index) and started physical therapy twice a week. Each session consisted of 3 parts of 20 minutes: sensory stimulation, motor training and sensory-motor integration. After six months, the patient showed improvement in all scales. The scale for contraversive pushing and the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test showed the highest percentages of improvement, 79% and 46%, respectively. Besides having been started six months after the lesion, the protocol of the present study contributed to the improvement of perception and functional performance. These findings suggest the importance of the physical therapy treatment in the recovery of individuals with PS.A Síndrome de Pusher (SP) é uma alteração perceptual presente em 10% dos casos de hemiparesia causada por Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Caracteriza-se por queda para o lado parético, comportamento de empurrar-se para o lado acometido com o hemicorpo não parético e resistência à correção externa. Este estudo visou descrever a avaliação, o tratamento e a evolução de uma paciente com hemiparesia à esquerda e SP, devido a um AVE no hemisfério cerebral direito. Seis meses após a lesão, a paciente realizou testes perceptuais (do desenho da figura humana, comportamental de inatenção, escala de avaliação do sintoma de empurrar, miniexame do estado mental) e de desempenho funcional (escala de avaliação postural para pacientes com AVE, teste de função manual de Jebsen-Taylor, medida de independência funcional e índice de Barthel) e iniciou fisioterapia duas vezes por semana. Cada sessão teve 3 partes de 20 minutos: estimulação sensorial, treino motor e integração sensório-motora. Após o tratamento a paciente foi reavaliada e apresentou melhora em todas as escalas. A de avaliação do sintoma de empurrar e o teste de função manual de Jebsen-Taylor foram os que registraram maiores percentuais de melhora, 79% e 46%, respectivamente. O protocolo utilizado, mesmo tendo sido iniciado seis meses após a lesão, proporcionou melhora perceptual e funcional, o que sugere a importância da fisioterapia na recuperação da SP

Effects of Online Sensory Feedback Restriction during the Training on Immediate and Long-Term Learning on a Finger Opposition Tapping Task

Background: Online sensory feedback has been considered fundamental for motor learning. The sensory inputs experienced in previous attempts can be processed and compared to allow the online refinement of subsequent attempts, resulting on performance improvement. However, numerous studies have provided direct and indirect evidence that learning new motor abilities is possible, regardless of online sensory feedback. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of online sensory feedback on learning a new motor skill. Methods: We investigated the immediate and the 28-day delayed performance of a single-session training (4 blocks of 600 movements) performed under 4 different conditions of online sensory restriction: (1) no restriction; (2) visual input restriction; (3) visual and tactile input restriction and (4) total input restriction (mental practice), in 40 young healthy participants (mean age 26.6±3.6 years). The task consisted of performing finger opposition sequences using the dominant hand (right). Results: The training condition did not influence immediate or delayed performance in terms of accuracy or speed. Conclusion: As all conditions resulted in a similar amount of performance improvement, the level of online feedback available during training did not affect the learning process. Probably, according to the sensory inputs availability on the training conditions, equally efficient strategies are developed to improve performance in terms of speed and accuracy

Brazilian version of the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo)

The Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) test was translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Two English language proficient professionals independently translated the original scale for the Brazilian Portuguese (T1 and T2). Following, the translated version of consensus was generated (TU). Two translators performed two versions in English (BT1 and BT2) of the TU version. A new process of consensus between translators and researchers resulted in an English version (BTfinal) that was compared with the original version, aiming to detect possible semantic differences. The version of the instrument in Brazilian Portuguese (TU), called Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control, was revised by the experts’ committee, composed of three physical therapists for content checking and the second version of agreement was generated (Tfinal). Tfinal was submitted to one of the original scale authors to check the understanding of the Brazilian Portuguese version. After this step, 20 physical therapists applied the scale in children with Cerebral Palsy. Part of the physical therapists indicates the need for complementary information in the description of instructions and score.Se tradujo y se adaptó al portugués de Brasil la prueba Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo). La escala original fue traducida de forma independiente por dos expertos en lengua inglesa al portugués de Brasil (T1 y T2). Después se produjo una versión traducida en acuerdo (TU). De esta versión, fueron realizadas dos versiones en lengua inglesa por dos traductores (RT1 y RT2). Se formó un nuevo consenso entre traductores e investigadores del cual generó una versión en lengua inglesa (RTfinal), en que se comparó al original para encontrar diferencias semánticas. La versión del instrumento en portugués brasileño (TU) se llamó Avaliação Segmentar do Controle de Tronco (Evaluación Segmentaria de Control del Tronco) y fue corregida por un conjunto de expertos, constituido de tres fisioterapeutas, para chequear el contenido, siendo que al final generó una segunda versión por consenso (Tfinal). Esta segunda versión la mandaron a una de las autoras de la escala original para chequear la comprensión de la versión en portugués de Brasil. Tras esta etapa, veinte fisioterapeutas aplicaron esta escala a niños con parálisis cerebral. Una parte de los fisioterapeutas señalan que es necesario complementar informaciones sobre la descripción de las instrucciones y de los puntajes.Traduziu-se e adaptou-se para o português do Brasil o teste Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo). Dois profissionais proficientes na língua inglesa traduziram, independentemente, a escala original para o português do Brasil (T1 e T2). Em seguida, gerou-se a versão traduzida de consenso (TU). Dois tradutores realizaram duas versões em inglês (RT1 e RT2) da versão TU. Um novo processo de consenso entre tradutores e pesquisadores resultou em uma versão em inglês (RTfinal), que foi comparada com a versão original, com vistas a possíveis diferenças semânticas. A versão do instrumento em português do Brasil (TU), denominada “Avaliação Segmentar do Controle de Tronco”, foi revisada pela comissão de especialistas, composta por três fisioterapeutas, para verificação do conteúdo e gerou a segunda versão de concordância (Tfinal). Tfinal foi encaminhada a uma das autoras da escala original para verificar o entendimento da versão em português do Brasil. Após essa etapa, 20 fisioterapeutas aplicaram a escala em crianças com paralisia cerebral. Parte dos fisioterapeutas indica a necessidade de complementação de informação na descrição das instruções e na descrição da pontuação