Human Resource MGM Chapter: 11 Managing Labor Relations
wildcat strike
occurs when workers suddenly go on strike, without the authorization 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
final offer arbitration
the parties bargain until impasse and then the two parties' final offers are submitted to the arbitrator
1. boycott 2. slowdown
What are two less extreme tactics that unions sometimes use are?
1. mandatory items 2. permissive items
What two categories of items may be dealt with during labor contract negotiations?
1. no labor contract can currently be in force 2. the union must have served as the official bargaining agent for the employees for at least 1 year
What two conditions must be met before decertification to occur?
1. Generate interest in union among employees 2. Collect signed authorization cards 3. Petition NLRB to hold election 4. Secret ballot election is held 5. Union signs up members and elects officers 6. Collective bargaining over first labor contract 7. Labor contract signed 8. Grievance procedure used to resolve disputes during the life of the contract
What are the steps employees use to form a union?
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
National Labor Relations Board
administers most labor law in the US
shop steward
an elected position in a local union, is a regular employee who functions as a liaison between union members and supervisors
locals
are unions organized at the level of a single company, plant, or small geographic region
arbitration
both sides agree in advance that they will accept the recommendation made by an independent third party arbitrator
Labor Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley Act)
curtails and limits union powers and regulates union actions and their internal affairs in a way that puts them on equal footing with management and organizations
picketing
occurs when workers representing the union march at the entrance to the employer's facility with signs explaining their reasons for striking
Landrum-Griffin Act (Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act)
focused on eliminating various unethical, illegal, and undemocratic practices within unions themselves.
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
Mandatory items
including wages, working hours, and benefits, must be included as part of collective bargaining if either party expresses a desire to negotiate one or more of them
labor union
is a legally constituted group of individuals working together to achieve shared, job related goals, including higher pay and shorter working hours
impasse
is a situation in which one or both parties believe that reaching an agreement is not imminent
agency shop agreement
is one where employees can decide whether or not to join the union certified as the bargaining agent, but if the employee decides not to join, he or she must still pay a fee roughly equal to the amount of union dues.
collective bargaining
is the process by which managers and union leaders negotiate acceptable terms and conditions of employment for those workers represented by the unions
labor relations
is the process of dealing with employees who are represented by a union
permissive items
may be included in collective bargaining if both parties agree
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
Knights of Labor
was 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)
was another early union; it focused its efforts on improved working conditions and better employment contracts rather than getting involved in legislative and political activities
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
was passed in an effort to control and legislate collective bargaining between organizations and labor unions, to grant power to labor unions, and to put unions on more equal footing with managers in terms of the right employees
Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
which focused on organizing employees by industry, regardless of their craft, skills, or occupation