Fairfield University Business School dean and labor relations expert available

Fairfield University Business School dean and labor relations expert available

The announcement by General Motors of reductions in force that might total 30,000 employees by 2008 does not bode well for 2007 national negotiations with the UAW, said Norman Solomon, Ph.D., labor relations expert and dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University.

"While, from a business perspective General Motors may find that reductions in force provide financial relief, they will exacerbate tensions in what already promises to be a tense set of negotiations in 2007 with the UAW," Dr. Solomon said. "The UAW after all, did 'go out on a limb' to renegotiate health care issues to 'help out' General Motors just a short while ago. UAW members and leaders alike may well be asking themselves whether that sacrifice was worth it."

GM announced Monday that it plans to shut down several plants and to cut 30,000 manufacturing positions by 2008. The company hopes to save $7 billion annually by the end of 2006.

"It may well be that the legacy issues surrounding its contract with the UAW will prove to be GM's most daunting challenge as its leaders re-focus the firm," Dr. Solomon said.

Dr. Solomon specializes in negotiation, industrial relations and labor-management relations. He earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in industrial and labor relations; and a master's degree and doctorate in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin. He also holds a certificate in management and leadership in education from Harvard University. Dr. Solomon co-authored the book, "The System of Industrial Relations in Canada (Fifth Edition)" (Prentice-Hall Canada 1996).

To contact Dr. Solomon, please call the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at (203) 254-4000, ext. 4070 or Dana Ambrosini, assistant director of media relations at Fairfield University, at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2726.

Posted On: 11-21-2005 10:11 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 111