History
On September 20, 1984, a planning committee of industrial relations and human resources practitioners, neutrals, and academics meet over dinner at John's Restaurant in Birmingham . The participants decided to apply for a charter from the Industrial Relations Research Association (IRRA), put together a mailing list, and hold a first meeting in the Spring of 1985. Invitations were sent out from the Human Resources Institute at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and the chapter office has remained at UA since then.
On April 11, 1985, more than hundred people turned out at the Sheraton Perimeter in Birmingham to sign up for chapter membership and to hear John Dunlop labor relations expert at Harvard University and former Secretary of Labor. Dunlop was greeted by Alabamians who had attended his classes in Cambridge or used his services as a mediator and arbitrator. Both Birmingham papers reported on the meeting. The cost of the first meeting was $25 per person and has remained the same over two decades.
It is the members that are responsible for the continuing success of the Alabama Chapter. Members have supported the chapter by participating in our activities, serving as chapter officers and executive board members, as speakers at meetings, and in securing guest speakers. A large number of current members were present at the first planning session and the April 1985 kick-off dinner. Average membership has numbered about eighty members. Secretarial support has come from UA staff and graduate students, including Mary Jane Taylor, Jan Moyer, Carolyn Rhodes, Dennis Gibson, Jimmy Simpson, Ed Arnold, Kim Hester, and Al Gibson.
The Chapter holds four dinner or luncheon meetings each year in Birmingham , Montgomery , Mobile and Huntsville . The Montgomery meeting occurs in the Spring, and serves as an update on potential employment-related legislation. The Huntsville meeting is held in cooperation with the Area Labor-Management Relations Council. Luncheons have also been held in Dothan and Muscle Shoals. The Chapter also holds a two-day conference, the first of which was held in Gulf Shores in April 1986.
A large number of distinguished speakers have addressed the chapter including former Secretaries of Labor, national union presidents, CEOs of companies located in Alabama , state representatives, most of the national IRRA presidents, members of federal agencies, and employment specialists. Past speakers include: John Dunlop, Ray Marshall, Lynn Williams, Ernie Savoie, John Stepp, Paul Hubbard, Elmer Harris, India Johnson, Mary Millar Cracraft, Bernard Anderson, Maggie Jacobsen, and Tom Kochan.
The Alabama Chapter has been able to provide services and maintain a comfortable financial position through the support of several organizations. These include the Dean's office and the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Alabama , Vulcan Materials, Brookwood Hospital , Alabama Power and the Blount Foundation. Law firms representing unions and management have continued to sponsor the receptions at the annual conference. A membership directory and certificate of membership is provided each year to members. The chapter has also sponsored special activities including the proceeding of the annual conference, research grants, and a media award.
Past Chapter Presidents in alphabetical order were: Trevor Bain, Hal Ballard, Richard Brooks, Max Bryant, David Carter, David Copeland, Dennis Dearing, Dennis Gibson, Martin Hardy, Ed Harrison, Ralph Johnson, Don Langham, Doug Marshall, Tom O'Brien, Jack Phillips, Joe Pledger, Fred Reebals, Talmage Reynolds, Higdon Roberts, Steve Rohr, and L. C. Studdard.
Alabama Chapter members know the reality of employment relations in America and Alabama . They are the first to learn about innovative workplace practices and relationships. Members look forward to the next decade as the Alabama Chapter continues to fulfill its mission for practitioners and scholars to meet, discuss, and debate critical issues.