Annual Charles H. Goldstein Labor Law
Symposium Held In Washington, D.C.

(Article reprinted with permission of author Robert Steele, Jr. of GW Law)

 "Are Labor Unions Still Relevant in the 21st Century?"

February 17, 2006 -- Are labor unions still relevant in the 21^st century? That was the question posed during the Charles H. Goldstein Labor Law Symposium in the Jacob Burns Moot Court Room at GW Law. The Labor Law Symposium, created by Charles H. Goldstein (J.D. '64) was created as a way to bring eminent speakers, scholars, and lawyers in the field of labor law together. Friday’s event featured a series of panel discussions, a luncheon address, and a closing reception.

Dean Fredrick M. Lawrence opened the symposium by introducing the symposium’s benefactors, the Goldstein family, which in addition to Charles and wife, Francine, includes 2002 GW Law graduate Joseph Goldstein. "We celebrate all of you as alumni and members of our Law School community," Dean Lawrence said.

Another prominent alumni GW Law was thrilled to welcome home was Wilma Liebman, JD '74. Liebman is a member of the National Labor Relations Board and participated on the second panel of the symposium.

Though Goldstein came to GW Law in the early 1960s as an ardent supporter of labor unions, Mr. Goldstein expressed that much has changed over the past four decades to alter his view of unions. "Forty years ago, I was the only labor supporter in my labor law class with Professor Leroy Merrifield," Goldstein said. "I knew as a young man what unions meant." 

His pro-union stance shifted to one that he said is more encompassing of pro-peoples' rights in general as he saw both sides of the debate. It is his hope that the Labor Law Symposium will continue to help explore the issues in this most dynamic field of contemporary law. "I'm glad to be able to endow this program to look into these important issues."

The symposium’s sessions sought to do just that, as distinguished panelists debated a wide variety of issues facing labor unions in the 21^st century. The first session, “Is the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) an Outmoded Statute in the 21^st Century?” was chaired by GW Law’s Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law Charles Craver. He was joined by Columbia University Law School Professor Cynthia Estlund and AFL-CIO General Counsel Jonathan Hyatt.

The luncheon address was delivered by New York University Law School Professor Samuel Estreicher. Titled “Labor-Management Partnership Agreements: Re-examining the Legal Barriers,” Professor Estreicher presented his views to a standing-room-only crowd in the Michael K. Young Faculty Conference Center.

In the afternoon sessions, panelists looked towards the future of the labor unions and labor laws in the United States and abroad. GW Law Professor Fred Freilicher was joined by Professor Keith Hylton of Boston University Law School, Judy Scott, general counsel for the Service Employees International Union, and others in discussing “What Labor Unions Must do to Survive in the 21^st Century Economy.”

The final panel of the day, "Moving to a Post-Industrial, Global Economy and the Decline of Labor Unions," was chaired by Professor Craver and included panelists: University of North Carolina Law School Professor Marion Crain and General Counsel Pat Szymanski for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

"Whether I agree or disagree with any of the points made today, I think it's great the debate goes on," Professor Craver said.

- Robert Steele, Jr.