Unionization is having a moment, but reaching initial contract agreements is proving challenging
In 2022, employees at a Trader Joe’s grocery store in Massachusetts successfully voted to unionize. However, almost two years later, the company has yet to present any contract proposals. Despite the company's initial dismissal of a $30-an-hour wage proposal, they failed to provide a counter-offer, contributing to a broader trend of extended negotiations for new unions' inaugural contracts.
After unionization, corporate foot-dragging is a challenge to contract negotiation
Unionization is having a moment. Employees at Amazon, Starbucks and Apple have all held successful union drives. But forming a union and negotiating a contract are not the same thing. In a 2008 study, Desautels Prof. John-Paul Ferguson found that union election victories resulted in first contracts only 56.3 per cent of the time. “It’s even harder now,” says Ferguson.
Delve podcast: Closing the Inventor Gender Gap with John-Paul Ferguson, Lucy Gilbert, and Negin Ashouri
Social inequalities are responsible for the loss of millions of ideas and inventions over hundreds of years. This loss over time is measurable today in a decline in innovation, slowing economic growth, and repercussions on all sectors, from technology to health care. The gender gap among inventors affects what gets invented—and consequently who benefits from innovation.
No substitute for face-to-face interaction
In an overview of MBA learning environments throughout the pandemic, La Presse surveys MBA directors and faculty members about their ingredients for success. While he doesn’t discount the value of online learning, John-Paul Ferguson, Academic Director of the MBA program at Desautels, maintains that the most impactful learning happens face-to-face, on-the-job.
New study calls for greater female representation in innovation
In a new study published in Science, Professor John-Paul Ferguson underscores the necessity of identifying and supporting woman-owned patents and innovations, particularly in the biomedical and personal healthcare spheres.
Celebrating excellence in teaching at Desautels
Across programs and subject areas, the Desautels Faculty of Management recognizes the vital role that teaching plays in enriching the student experience and in inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The Distinguished Teaching Award recipients Jiro Kondo and Lisa Cohen were honoured at McGill’s 2021 Management Convocation ceremony for their excellence in teaching.
Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2021 teaching awards!
Program redesign gives MBA students greater flexibility
MBA & PMBA Academic Director John-Paul Ferguson highlights the benefits of the newly redesigned MBA program.
From providing more flexible program length options to promoting a holistic view of sustainable business throughout the curriculum, the program meets the needs of a broader range of students.
Analyzing the cutting edge of business methods to create future managers
McGill’s MBA program leverages program flexibility, practical skills training, and experiential learning to prepare students to join leading companies and start their own. Daniel Franco (MBA’19) earned his degree after emigrating to Canada from Peru. After graduation, he co-founded Turbodega, a successful startup that digitizes the supply chain of bodegas in Latin America.
McGill MBA evolves to meet local and international demand
McGill’s newly restructured MBA is designed to meet the needs of international students, says Professor John-Paul Ferguson, Academic Director of the MBA and PMBA programs. With the flexibility to choose between one- and two-year programs, students with less work experience can gain more exposure to the Canadian job market prior to graduation.
McGill University’s redesigned MBA program equips students to lead in shifting business climate
The Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University announced the launch of a newly redesigned MBA program that prepares students to confront the challenges of a rapidly evolving business environment.
Prospective students turn to MBAs to weather the economic storm
The economic downturn resulting from COVID-19 is expected to increase MBA applications as individuals turn to business schools to boost their employability. Academic Director of McGill’s MBA John-Paul Ferguson comments on the evolving demand for MBA programs.
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The value of a flexible MBA
Starting in Fall 2020, McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management will offer 12-, 16-, and 20-month MBA options to meet changing student needs.
Who are the gig economy workers?
Professor Matthew Corritore joins Shawn Apel on CBC Radio to highlight his recent gig economy research, co-published by Professor John-Paul Ferguson.
An upcoming survey will help the two professors answer fundamental questions about the gig economy, in hopes of informing policy makers and the public about how the gig economy operates.
No labour protection for gig workers
The rise of the gig economy has made contract work more accessible, but recent research by McGill professors John-Paul Ferguson and Matthew Corritore highlights its downsides. Often with no support from an HR department or union, economy workers are left vulnerable without the employee protection that salaried workers receive.
2019 SSHRC Grants awarded
Congratulations to the Desautels professors who received 2019 SSHRC Grants.
SSHRC Insight Development Grants
