MGT 3320 Chapter 11
Wildcat strike
occurs when workers suddenly go on strike, without the authorization (presumably) of the striker's union and while a binding labor agreement is still in effect
Closed shop
refers to a workplace in which only workers who are already union members may be hired by the employer
Bargaining unit
refers to the specifically defined group of employees who are eligible for representation by the union
Mandatory items
Included as part of collective bargaining if either party expresses a desire to negotiate one or more of them (wages, working hours, benefits)
Permissive items
Included in collective bargaining if both parties agree
Bargaining perspectives
Job security is currently a major demand
Labor union
Legally constituted group of individuals working together to achieve shared, job-related goals, including: - Higher wages - Better working conditions
Employer's points of negotiation
Maximum limit Expectation Desired result on items being negotiated
Labor union's points of negotiation
Minimum acceptable limit Expectations that the management is likely to agree to Target point
Final-offer arbitration
Parties bargain until impasse followed by two parties' final offers are submitted to the arbitrator
Collective bargaining
Process by which managers and union leaders negotiate acceptable terms and conditions of employment for union-represented workers - Also called employee relations in nonunionized settings
Labor relations
Process of dealing with employees who are represented by a union
Impasse
Situation in which one or both parties believe that reaching an agreement is not imminent
Union membership
Unionization has increased in the service sector but not in the rest of the economy
Union-management relations
Weaker unions have taken a conciliatory stance with managers
Mediation
a neutral third party called the mediator listens to and reviews the information presented by both sides and then makes an informed recommendation and provides advice to both parties about what she or he believes should be done
Labor Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley Act)*
a response to public outcries against a wide variety of strikes in the years after World War II; it's basic purpose was to curtail and limit union practices; requires labor unions to bargain with management in good faith
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
administers most labor law in the United States
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
administers most labor law in the United States; requires management to bargain with labor unions in good faith
Shop steward
an elected position in a local union, is a regular employee who functions as a liaison between union members and supervisors
Knights of Labor*
an important early union that expanded its goals and its membership to include workers in numerous fields rather than a single industry
American Federation of Labor (AF of L)*
another early union; focused its efforts on improved working conditions and better employment contracts rather than getting involved in legislative and political activities (craft-based jobs)
Arbitration
both sides agree in advance that they will accept the recommendations made by an independent third-party arbitrator
Landrum-Griffin Act (Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act)
focused on eliminating various unethical, illegal, and undemocratic union practices; requires national labor unions to elect new leaders every 5 years
Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
focused on organizing employees by industry, regardless of their craft, skills, or occupation
Steps Employees Use to Form a Union
generate interest in union among employees, collect signed authorization cards, petition NLRB to hold election, secret ballot election is held, union signs up members and elects officers, collective bargaining over first labor contract, labor contract signed, grievance procedure used to resolve disputes during the life of the contract
Union shop agreement
includes various types of union security agreements in addition to a requirement that a nonunion member can be hired, although he or she must join the union within a specified time to keep his or her job
Lockout
occurs when an employer denies employees access to the workplace
Strike
occurs when employees walk off their jobs and refuse to work
Boycott
occurs when union members agree not to buy the products of a targeted employer
Slowdown
occurs when workers perform their jobs at a much slower pace than normal
Picketing
occurs when workers representing the union march at the entrance to the employer's facility with signs explaining their reasons for striking
Locals
unions organized at the level of a single company, plant, or small geographical region