Labor/Industrial Relations Advisory Group
The leading peer network of executives who head their companies’ labor relations function in Fortune 150 companies in the United States
The Labor/Industrial Relations Advisory Group (LIRAG) brings together top labor relations executives of Fortune 150 member companies to discuss current labor contracts, issues, best practices, and trends that impact their companies and their labor relations management.
Members learn about current negotiations, analyze management-union strategies that affect policymaking decisions, gain insight from experts in the field, and network with their professional peers. Member companies have a significant number of unionized workers – skilled and unskilled—and represent a wide range of industries operating in the U.S.—manufacturing, technology, utilities, and others.
LIRAG members serve as the nucleus for the group’s activities. They provide the leadership, resources, and information that permit the organization to accomplish its objectives. The composition reflects the diverse character of American business and features representatives from all major industry groupings. The diversity of membership serves to increase LIRAG’s effectiveness and its acceptance as the best available labor relations exchange group.
Meetings
LIRAG holds three meetings during the year—the spring and fall meetings are in New York City and the winter meeting is in a warmer climate. The sessions offer high-level discussion using the roundtable format, and the group adheres to a policy of confidentiality while promoting open sharing of information among members.
Meeting agendas address members’ most pressing labor issues. Sessions include ORC—facilitated discussions, as well as presentations by members and guest speakers. At every meeting, members participate in a roundtable discussion, allowing the opportunity to ask questions or share insights about current negotiations and issues.
Ongoing Services
Throughout the year, members stay in touch through networking and e-mail surveys of various issues as requested on an ad hoc basis. Members receive information and data on recent settlements, wage trends, union membership in the United States—its growth, changes, and top officials’ salaries.
Benefits of Membership
- Three meetings annually in a confidential, interactive setting
- Sharing of labor relations strategies and best practices
- Access to experienced peers
- Regular updates on recent settlements, wage trends, and union data
- Leading expert speakers
- Ad hoc member surveys
Recent Agenda Topics
- Auto’s Groundbreaking Agreement
- International Paper’s New Master Agreement
- Contract Negotiations and Settlements: MGM Mirage, General Electric, Harley Davidson, Goodyear, and Rexam
- The Employee Free Choice Act
- Frito-Lay’s Flat Health Care Costs
- Labor Relations Strategies
- Staying Nonunion
- The Current State of Labor Relations
Who Should Join?
If you have decision-making authority for a major organization’s industrial relations, union relations, or labor affairs, consider the advantages of joining the Labor/Industrial Relations Advisory Group. For more information, contact Thomas Connors at 212-852-0352 or Karen Kachadoorian at 212-852-0312.