Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
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 Collections.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California 94720-6000
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
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials
must be submitted in writing to the Library.
Preferred Citation
Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, University of California,
publications and papers, IRLE-IR01. Institute for Research on Labor and
Employment Collections, University of California, Berkeley.
Acquisition Information
The collection represents publications generated by the Institute for Research on
Labor and Employment and collected by the former IRLE Library.
Administrative History
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.
Indexing Terms
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