Labor Relations

In this paper, totalitys and toil dealings leave be defined and their impact on physical compositions will be e projectionated. as well, the impact of changes in holdee traffic strategies, policies, and practices on organisational performance will be examined. later on this, the mind Are unions still applicable in the U.S.? will be answered. Furthermore, the campaign, the election, contract negotiations, grievance handling, arbitrations, application dealing, and strikes will be addressed. wear off unions and diligence relationsLabor unions, which be the watchdogs and negotiators for the Ameri coffin nail realiseforce, be a fashion of corporally bargaining with employers for fair working conditions and fair recompense. The craft unions or acquiremented advertiseers and industrial unions or laborers in the same industry, regardless of skill argon the devil types of labor unions that argon form.In the U.S. Groups of highly-trained carpenters, tailors, printers, and weavers in the compound age, the seed of modern labor unions were the guilds. Guilds, which ar scotch and social in nature, argon associations of persons who atomic number 18 involved in the same craft or business. The workers who members of guilds are banded together so that the quality standards would be hold and the employers hiring of skilled laborers from home would be ensured.In the mid-19th century, there was an join on in the number of new industrial unions which were created for the assertion of workers rights. This change in the disposition of the American workforce was collectable to the invention of the steam engine and new(prenominal) industrial advancements. The Knights of Labor, which inaugurated the Labor Day holiday in 1882, was wholeness of the virtually important industrial unions.In the 1890s, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was organize. It is comprise of the craft unions which include both skilled and unskilled laborers. The federation wa s formed because its member craft unions were opposed to the composition of the Knights of Labors membership. The get together Mine Workers and the Danburry Hatters case in 1902 were ones of the early conflicts and strikes included in this period.In the 1930s, when the Great Depression took place, the Congress of Industrial transcriptions (CIO) was formed. M any(prenominal) of the members of CIO were the dissidents of the AFL who favors industrial unionism. Workers in the steel, rubber, auto, maritime, glass, and meat packing industries were roughly of the major constituents of the CIO. In spite of the conflicts during the 30s and 40s, a powerful body known as the AFL-CIO was formed from the merging of the two national organizations in 1955.The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an nonsymbiotic operation of the U.S. government. It was created under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 or the Wagner Act and was amended by the acts of 1947 or the Taft-Harley Labor Act and 1949 or the Landrum-Griffin Act. The board affirmed the rights of the labor to organize and bargain collectively by dint of stand foratives they chose or to refrain from such(prenominal) activities. The board which is composed of five members is help by 33 regional directors.The members are appointed by the U.S. prexy with the approval of the Senate for five-year terms. The proper bargaining units are determined, the elections for union representation are conducted, and the charges of inequitable labor practices by employers are investigated by the board. Coercion, interference, or restraint in labors self-organizational rights is included in the unfair practices (Villanueva Siasoco).A research study revealed that the collaboration of an organization (such as community organizations) and a labor union is an impetus for change. For example, the labor unions and community organizations in great Boston, which exhaust worked together in recent years, have achieved remarkable successes. several(prenominal) of their victories include the auf wiedersehening of a Boston living wage ordinance, an increase in the minimum wage in Massachusetts, improvement in union contracts and in workplace conditions, an earned in abide by impose credit on province income taxes, $6 million state job training program for 1, calciferol workers, and a number of progressive tax policies which includes a new tax on capital gains.These significant achievements in Boston are reverberated end-to-end the country. This is manifested by the continuous formation of alliances by community organizations with the organized labor. Again, these alliances are formed for the purpose of tackling problems that affect the lives of the low-wage workers.The Service Employees International Union, which is known for its winning Justice for Janitors campaigns, is one of the unions that organize low-wage workers. The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Union is also a low wage-workers union. These un ions are included in the most vibrant and smart growing organizations in the country.The collaboration of labor unions and community organizations is really ask for the achievement of long-term goals of economic and social justice. The need for the collaboration is existence intensified by the changes in the national economy over the outlive a couple of(prenominal) decades. One the changes that forces for a collaboration of labor unions and community organizations is the unfirm of the economy from higher-paying manufacturing jobs to dishonor-paying jobs in the service sector.Similarly, the public policy efforts for the promotion of the eudaimonia of working families in general are being broadened by the labor movement. The national AFL-CIO, under the new leadership since 1995, has devoted increased resources to embolden policies. These policies include the universal health care coverage which is intended to pull in all American who are working ( non only those who are memb ers of unions) and the height of the federal minimum wage.One of the impacts of labor unions in policies is the announcement of birth of amnesty for undocumented immigrants by the AFL-CIO in February, 2000. In addition, the AFl-CIO also play a major role in organizing, planning, and supporting the Immigrant Workers Freedom slang of 2003. This ride is a nationwide effort which aims to raise the visibility of the issues of the immigrant workers (Ranghelli 4).On the other hand, the impact of changes on employees is the decrease in the purchase of labor by employers because of the higher wages won by unions. The success in asserting for higher wages and better working conditions also minify the number of jobs available (Reynolds).Are unions still germane(predicate) in the U.S.?The question Are unions still relevant in the U.S.? does not need any longer time to think about. Unions are absolutely relevant in the U.S. Considering the economic situation today, wherein the trend is to s hift from higher-paying jobs to lower-paying jobs, to use more machines than labor force, and to employ contractualization, the exploitation of the labor sector becomes more intense. Thus, unions play a rattling role in achieving economic and social justice.Considering the opinions raised by Reynolds, it is truly shallow to say that the labor unions are the anticompetitive force in the labor markets. It is actually inhumane to think of workers as simply inputs that are required to be purchased in order for a process such as production or manufacturing to materialize. It is in this thinking where the exploitation of the laborers rights arises.Regarding campaigns and elections, union officers are elected based on the standards established by the Labor-Management Reporting and manifestation Act of 1959 (LMRDA). Officers in the local unions are elected by dint of abstruse balloting. On the other hand, officers of the national and international unions are elected both by secret balloting of the members or by delegates who are chosen by the secret ballot. The election of the officers of the national and international unions is held at least(prenominal) each five years. For the intermediate bodies, the election of officers is held at least every four years and for the local unions, election of officers is held at least every three years.The funds of a union whitethorn be employ in conducting an election. Also, it is an option for the employers and unions to use their funds in promoting the candidacy of any vista (http//www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/unions-elections.htm).Collective bargaining refers to the negotiations amid an employer and a class of employees. Negotiations are done so that the conditions of employment would be determined. The result of the procedures of the collective bargaining is called collective agreement. Union or other labor organizations represent the employees in bargaining. Federal and state statutory laws, judicial decisions , and administrative agency regulations govern collective bargaining.Arbitration refers to the method of dispute resolution. This method is utilise as an alternative to litigation. Arbitration is normally used to resolve disputes between employers and employees during a collective bargaining (http//www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Collective_bargainingcollective_bargaining_and_labor_arbitration_an_overview).Usually, strike is the last resort taken by workers in addressing their grievances. Holding mass pickets is the most effective means to involve all strikers. Although strikes may mean decrease in wages or dismissal from work, success in such solidarity actions is effectively achieved through picketing the workplaces of the workers (http//libcom.org/organise/guide-to-taking-strike-action).The aforementioned concepts support the answer that unions are still relevant in the U.S. For example, the funds of unions are very vital during an election because may be used to promote the candidacy of a certain candidate who, when elected, essential address the concerns not only of the workers that the families in general. Also, it is very significant in addressing the welfare of the people because what labor unions fight for is not just their interests but the interests of the masses.Again, labor union should not be viewed as a hindrance for the economic development. It is not enough to say that a country is developed based on a high porcine national product which is achieved through lower cost of production that includes lower wages for the laborers. Higher gross national product which is achieved through exploitations of workers does not mean economic and social justice.ReferenceCollective bargaining and labor arbitration an overview. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from http//www.law.cornell.edu/wex/index.php/Collective_bargainingcollective_bargaini ng_and_labor_arbitration_an_overviewJohn. (November 11, 2006). Guide to taking strike action. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from http//libcom.org/organise/guide-to-taking-strike-action National Labor Relations Board. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from http//www.factmonster.com/ce6/bus/A0834954.htmlRanghelli. (March 2005). Joining Forces Community Organizations and Labor Unions Form late Collaborations. Retrieved November 18, 2006, fromUnions and Union Members Union Elections. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from http//www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/unions-elections.htmVillanueva Siasoco, Ricco. Hard Labor. How unions fought to honor the American worker. Retrieved November18, 2006, from http//www.factmonster.com/ screw/labor1.htmlLabor RelationsLabor relation entails policies and daily practices that are bear on with the regulation and attention of individual and team relationships within the organization. Essentially, employee relations are centered on the ability to resolve and prevent conflicts that involve either an individual or the teams in the organization which directly affect work si tuations and performance. Efficient communication ensures that information is passed to the employees in order to allow them catch better the lodges goals and objectives.Most employee relations managers uphold the debt instrument of handling grievances, individual code of conduct while in the office, military rating of employee performance and counseling programs. Sound employee relations are based on participation and effective communication for both the prudence and the employees. at that place are various worry styles that cover the course employee relations must be conducted in order to achieve the best from the employees. (Selid, 1995)Trade unions are organized groups of employees officially recognized by both the government and their employer that have come together to promote their common interests. Trade unions have a obligation of ensuring get the value of what they work for. They are directed to provide a communication channel between the employer and the employees . In some cases, In the coupled States, flip unions are registered by the particularized State that it operates from and they are ratify by the federal government.The United States have a national consultatory board referred to as Employee Relations advisory Board (ERAB) that is concerned with formulating national policies which must be adhered to by individual Employee Relations Advisory Organization (ERAO) which every institution including skyway companies must have. At least one representative of ERAO is elected to sit at the Employee Relations Advisory Board.In an airline setting for example, their union is responsible for providing the companys management with suggestions on how to solicit and disseminate information on plans and programs that are knowing for employees who will enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the workplace. (Employee Relations Advisory Organization, 2004)There are impact of changes in employee relations strategies, policies, and practices on orga nizational performance. For example if employees within an organization are represented by a foxiness union fully recognized by the same organization e.g. the airline company and the government, cooperation between the employer that is airline company and its employees will be enhanced the workplace.Good and sound formulated strategies and policies that relates to labor relations in organization particularly the airline companies will lead to attainment of organizations goals and act the companys mission statement in the direct path. There are various management styles that cover the way employee relations must be conducted in order to achieve the best from the employees. These management styles are intended to teach employees the following applicable regulations and policies, bargaining agreements, grievance and evoke rights, and discrimination and protection of whistleblowers.The impact of changes in employee relations has broadened its definition from the sign industrial rel ations to such aspects as employer-employee relations, personal contracts, workplace environmental safety, and socio-emotional factors. In developed countries like in the U.S and mostly in airline industries, there is a growing trend of harmonization in to the highest degree all levels of government mainly because of the government commitment to enhance employee relations programs. (Sparrow and Hilltop, 1994)Trade unions plays a very major role in exhausting to protect the rights of employees who form there membership and research indicates that they still relevant in the U.S. administration because they have the task of ensuring that employees rights regarding to the workplace are protected. However, due to corruption and other malpractices the effectiveness of these trade unions has been compromised over the last few years.Research indicates that the employers in the U.S. for example employers in the airline industry are reported to be harassing there employees in the pretext th at they are free out instructions to be obeyed in order to achieve the verbalize organizational goals, a development which does not auger well with trade unions in the U.S. (Delaney and Huselid, 1996)In general, these trade unions has the following roles, labor climate assessment, verificatory employee relation programs, union campaigns and election objectives, unfair labor practices such as wretched wages and unfounded dismissals, dealing with workplace harassment, coordinating and implementing work relations programs, and handling complaint/issue resolution processes in the various(prenominal) organizations among others.The only problem that normally cause misunderstanding between the trade unions and the companies or government is that the trade unions can organize go slows, strikes, destructions etc when rhythm method of birth control table solutions to issues fails. This is very hard for a company to control but with negotiations, it can reach an agreement.Trade unions o fficials are responsible to their members and they are usually elected to office mainly through secret ballots. This implies those vying for any place have to campaign for votes from the union members. Sometimes some officials use unfair campaign strategies that do not foster fairness and equality among the contenders.Also these trade union officials play a significant role in any countrys general election because they can work their members on what directions to vote e.g. advising the members to vote out the present government because of some dissatisfaction that they have with it. Trade unions plays an important role contract negotiations almost everything can be bargained these days and therefore with employee relations through trade unions such issues as awarding contracts, compensations, benefits, and work schedules can be sorted out by discussing them until a solution is achieved.The bargaining approach settles conflicts that arise as a result of contract matters. It also ou tlines the rules with which the basis of handling specific work agreements is sorted out. Normally, if this approach is well utilized, employee relations are greatly improved.Grievance handling in any organization is very authoritative to all organizations and at least every company has some way of dealing with their grievances. In fact, it is considered that a few individuals in a company are so arrogant that they are font of harassing their workmates leading to poor productivity. Companies need to develop a grievance handling procedure that will ensure that conflicts are eliminated in the organization.Without proper handling grievances of the employees well trade unions may call for strikes to force the government to implement their desired changes. In the recent past strikes and go-slows have become common methods which employees use them to pass their grievances to their employers. (Brewster, 1995)It is therefore prudent for management of any organization to adopt employee kno wledge strategies. This is another factor that the employers put into consideration for the organization to improve its employee relations this is basically a communication instrument, which strengthens and compensates the most significant production that the employees have created for the organization. The recognition structure is always made simple, instant, and effectively supportive to the employees relations and the organization at large. (Chevrier, 2003)ReferenceBrewster. C (1995) Towards a European pretense of serviceman Resource Management-Journal of International Business. Vol 26 Pp 45-67Chevrier, S. (2003) Cross-cultural management in multinational project groups Journalof World Business. Vol.38. Pp 77-89Delaney. J and Huselid. M (1996)- The impact of human resource management practiceson perceptions of performance in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Academy of Management Journal. Vol 39. Pp 34-56Employee Relations Advisory Organization, (2004) Labor Relations c hapiter D.C,Article 2. Pp 5-29Murray, A. (1989) Top management group heterogeneity and firm performance. strategical Management Journal Vol. 10, Special issue. Pp 13-34Selid, M. (1995)- The impact of human resource management practices on turnover,productivity, and corporate financial performance- Academy of ManagementJournal, Vol. 38. Pp 54-76Sparrow, P. and Hilltop, J. (1994) European Human Resource Management inTransition. Prentice Hall, New York. Pp 23-45