Shared Governance and Academic Collective Bargaining in American Higher Education: A Potential Model for U.S. Participation in the Global Experience of Works Councils and Codetermination

摘要

This paper examines shared governance traditions in U.S. higher education in the context of the global models of employee representation, including works councils and codetermination. The authors begin with an overview of global employee representation legislation and practices before contrasting these with U.S. labor law and traditions. The authors then examine the unique governance structure of U.S. higher education as a key exception to U.S. law and practice that may inform our understanding of the potential for these practices in U.S. organizations. The paper concludes by examining the implications of this example for public policy and employment practices in the U.S.