Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

Labor Relations & Collective BargainingIngrid G. Hoskins

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Labor Union & Labor RelationsLabor Union: An organization representing the collective interests of workers Labor Relations: the dealings that result from interactions between a labor union and an employer Most employees are not organized into labor unions The possibility of employees organizing into unions make it even more vital that labor relations are positive in an organization

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Task of a Labor Relations EmployeeEmployee and labor relations: a human resource role that is concerned with building and maintaining good relations with employees and labor unions Relationships between unions and employers can often times with adversarialEach side hopes to achieve what is best for their union or business This can cause issues By working together to improve overall productivity and customer service an organization can achieve success and have happy employees

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

UnionsA primary objective of a labor union is to provide security and long-term employment for its membersPowerful labor unions can make it difficult for organizations to let employees go Unions encourage organizations to provide workers with training and better develop employment skills Unions tend to oppose workers taking additional work without additional assistance Unions work best with organizations that can provide long-term worker relations

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Unions A main objective for unions is to secure fair wages and benefits for all workers This reduces pay differences for employees at different skill setsThe gap between high performing and low performing employees is not as high within unionized organizations Unions, thus, create equal opportunities among workers

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Unionized OrganizationsThese organizations tend to invest less profits into business because of the higher percentage of profits going to employees (higher wages) They spend less time on research and development An issue for organizations wishing to innovate and create different products for the market This reduction in innovation is not universal Germany is an example of equal pay into business and employees Research suggests being committed to long term employment can still reduce innovation

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

National Labor Relations BoardCreated by the Wagner Act Board is to enforce the Wagner Act Members of board are appointed by the president, Senate approves, serve 5 year termsA General Counsel serves as a prosecutor, the NLRB the judge First purpose of NLRB: organize and oversee employee elections that determine if a union is to be formed Second purpose of NLRB: investigate allegations of wrongful labor practices, provide remedies (if needed)

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Wagner ActFederal law passed in 1935, created the NLRBProvides employees with the right to organize Formal name: the National Labor Relations Act Pro-union legislationGives unions the right to organize employeesProhibits businesses from retaliating against employees that wish to unionize Requires business to good faith bargaining with unions

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Taft-Hartley ActLabor Unions were fast to form following the Wagner Act Organizations felt that the Wagner Act was too union focused 1947, Labor-Management Relations Act, shifted power toward management by creating a list of unfair labor practiced for unions Prohibits labor unions from coercing employees to join and requires unions to bargain in good faith Procedures for removing a union after it is established

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

Illegal Union Practices under Taft-HartleySecondary Boycott: occurs when a labor union pressures other businesses to stop purchasing services and goods from another business based on disputes Featherbedding: when a union requires a business organization to pay employees wages, yet employees are not performing services Closed shops: hires only individuals who are members of a particular unionRight to work: state laws that require open-shop labor agreementsOpen shops: does not require employees to have any relationship with the union in question Unions do not like right to work laws; unions provide benefits if members pay, open shop is basically a free ride.

12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins

SourceHuman Resource Management, 2011. Greg L. Stewart & Kenneth G. Brown. (Wiley)12/9/2016Property Of Ingrid G. Hoskins