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Guide to the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, University of California, Publications and Papers
IRLE-IR01
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Table of contents
Title: Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, University of California, publications and papers
Dates: 1946-2006
Collection number: IRLE-IR01
Creator:
University of California, Berkeley--Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
Creator:
University of California, Los Angeles--Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
Collection Size:
1,213 items
1,213 digital objects
Repository:
University of California, Berkeley. Institute for Research on Labor and Employment. Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California 94720-5555
Abstract: The Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) was founded in 1944 when University of California President Gordon
Sproul and California Governor Earl Warren together planned the inception of the Institutes of Industrial Relations to be
founded at Berkeley and Los Angeles. Governor Warren asked President Sproul to enlarge the University's educational base
in labor and industrial relations, and so facilitate, "open and honest labor-management relationships." The publications of
IRLE capture a cross-section of viewpoints and perspectives about work and working life during the second half of the twentieth
century, revealing policy and political objectives, the everyday experience of workers, and the key areas of interest for
the faculty researchers associated with IRLE.
Physical location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Collection is open for research.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head Librarian, The Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) Library, 2521 Channing Way, #5555, University of
California, Berkeley 94720-5555. Consent is given on behalf of The IRLE Library as the owner of the physical items and does
not constitute permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/library/digitalcollections/permissions.html
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, University of California, publications and papers, IRLE-IR01. Institute for
Research on Labor and Employment Library, University of California, Berkeley.
The collection represents publications generated by the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment and collected by the
IRLE Library.
The origins of the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) predate World War II, and could be considered to
have begun in the 1920s. At the time, the University of California, Berkeley was home to the most influential labor economists
of the day, including Ira Cross, Paul Taylor and Charles Gulick. Berkeley had one of the first Labor Education schools, and
Berkeley faculty were especially active and influential in San Francisco's labor relations during the turbulent years of the
1930s.
In 1944, University President Gordon Sproul and California Governor Earl Warren together planned the inception of the Institutes
of Industrial Relations (IIR, hereafter referred to as "IRLE"), to be founded at Berkeley and Los Angeles. Governor Warren
asked President Sproul to enlarge its educational base in labor and industrial relations, and so facilitate, "open and honest
labor-management relationships." This important focus on labor-management cooperation came to be known as the "California
'School' of industrial relations."
The California legislature approved the formation of IRLE in 1945 under AB 391, with Northern and Southern Divisions at Berkeley
and Los Angeles. IRLE's founding director was Clark Kerr, who was later Chancellor of Berkeley and President of the University.
Both divisions formed libraries and created curricula aimed at educating students about the importance of labor issues, the
role of unions, and the challenges facing the rapidly growing economy of California and the West Coast. The Legislature outlined
three initial charges for the faculty to pursue:
- Community Relations. Working with the University Extension, IRLE focused on adult education and training, together with conference, weekend institutes and short courses. This early initiative has grown substantially in scope and mission, and currently encompasses many public and private partners in research and programming for a wide variety of topics.
- Campus Instruction. IRLE, as an "Organized Research Unit", supports faculty teaching and instructional activities by working in close cooperation with campus departments and schools. The faculty receives a variety of support services to assist them in their research, including grant administration, library services, and coordinated community outreach opportunities.
- Research. Investigation of facts and issues is the basis of effective research. IRLE's 1947 report states, "Good will alone, although basic, will not solve the pressing problems of industrial relations, which appear currently to be second only to the problems of internationals relations in their impact upon social and economic welfare. New insights and greater understanding of underlying causes are equally necessary."
Today, IRLE's research encompasses the study of organizations and labor market institutions, the high tech work force, the
change role of labor unions, and the increasingly globalized economy. Over 80 affiliated faculty members represent more than
15 academic departments and schools, which confirms that 21st Century labor and employment issues continue to require multi-disciplinary
approaches. IRLE provides the common ground where academics and community leaders can meet and study the complex world of
work and workplace issues.
About this Collection
This digital collection was funded by the University of California Labor and Employment Research Fund (LERF). The Fund enabled
the IRLE Library to digitize a large percentage of IRLE's publications. These documents form a record of scholarly thinking
about labor and employment issues for the second half of the 20th century, as well as a record of IRLE's own goals and objectives.
Three broad subsections of the collection are organized around 1) IRLE-Berkeley; IRLE-UCLA, and IRLE-Berkeley's Center for
Labor Research and Education ("The Labor Center"). Although the collection is not complete, it is extensive, and it is anticipated
that it will as more publications are discovered from various sources.
Scope and Content of Collection
This digital repository enables scholars to study IRLE's publications for a 50 period beginning with 1945. The publications
of IRLE capture a cross-section of viewpoints and perspectives about work and working life during that era, revealing policy
and political objectives, the everyday experience of workers, and the key areas of interest for the faculty researchers associated
with IRLE.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Labor unions
Industrial relations
Pensions
Personnel management
Stevedores--Labor unions
Women--Employment
African Americans--Employment
Arbitration, Industrial
Labor policy--California
Industrial safety
Discrimination in employment
Nursing
University of California, Berkeley--Center for Labor Research and Education
University of California, Berkeley--Institute of Industrial Relations
University of California, Berkeley--Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
University of California, Los Angeles--Center for Labor Research and Education
University of California, Los Angeles--Institute for Research on Labor and Employment
University of California, Los Angeles--Institute of Industrial Relations