Essential of labour relations

This book contains nine chapters. Chapter 1 gives an overview of labor rela tions in the United States and discusses the reasons for past increases and declines in the unionized sector of the economy. In Chapter 2, the focus is on how various labor laws affect and guide the labor relations process. Descriptions of major pieces of legislation are sufficiently detailed to address their impact on unice management relations. Chapter 3 deals with the structures of unions. Union hierarchies exhibit characteristics similar to management structures, but the similarities between unions and management often stop there. We explore how a union operates and how its structure can and often does affect the outcome of collective bargaining negotiations.

Chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 comprise the heart of this book. These chapters deal with fundamental areas of collective bargaining contract preparation, com tract negotiations, contract administration, and impasse resolution. The pur pose and order of these topics reflect the activities involved in collective bargain ing. Once a union becomes certified, or when an existing contract is about to expire, it is necessary for both sides to prepare for negotiations. The activities necessary to adequately prepare for negotiation are discussed in Chapter 4. The heart of negotiating is discussed in Chapter 5, including the strategies to achieve an agreement and the actual contract negotiation process. Once an agreement is reached and is ratified by the union rank and file, it must be put into effect. The multifaceted arena of getting a contract into the hands of the parties in volved, ensuring that it is being adhered to properly, is the focus of Chapter 6. If during contract negotiations both sides reach a stalemate, what can be done? Should disagreements arise over interpretations of a contract, the need arises for arbitration. Chapter 7 looks at impasse resolution as a means of get ting both parties back on track. Various methods and techniques are explored. Chapter 8 is devoted to governmental labor relations. Many of the dif ferences between the private sector and the federal and public sectors are ex plored. The last chapter, Chapter 9, focuses on future trends in labor relations.

Our goal in Essentials of Labor Relations to provide the reader with the important basics of the labor relations process. The basics, we hope, are sufficiently described to give the student a good understanding of the inner work ings of labor-management relationships. Essentials of Labor Relations is also designed to be used in conjunction with a simulation package, whether com puterized or not.