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