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Role of unions and labour relations. Unions Organizations formed for the purpose of representing their members ’ interests in dealing with employers Labour relations
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Role of unions and labour relations • Unions • Organizations formed for the purpose of representing their members’ interests in dealing with employers • Labour relations • A field that emphasizes skills that managers and union leaders can use to minimize costly forms of conflict (such as strikes) and seek win-win solutions to disagreements LO1
Labour relations decisions • Labour relations strategy • Management: whether to work with unions or develop (or maintain) nonunion operations • Unions: whether to resist or accept changes • Negotiating contracts • Decisions about pay structure, job security, etc. • Administering collective agreements • Day-to-day activities which may involve handling disagreements LO1
History and trends in union membership • Labour unions existed in Canada since 1812 • Labour activities escalated during early 1900’s • Workers demanded better wages, shorter workdays, and improved conditions • Collective bargaining recognized in 1937 • Membership peaked in 1994 (36.1%) • Unionization much higher in public sector than private sector • Women outnumber men LO1
Craft Union National/International Union Industrial Union • Members all have a particular skill or occupation e.g. electricians (IBEW) • Association that seeks to advance the shared interests of members e.g. union federation (CLC) • Members are linked by their work in a particular industry e.g. public employees (CUPE) Local Union • Where most day-to-day interaction between labour and management occurs • Union steward Types of unions LO1
What is the impact of unions on company performance? • Decrease productivity? • Due to work rules and limits on workloads set by union contracts • Production lost to union actions e.g. strikes • Increase productivity? • Reduce turnover • Seniority-based pay systems remove incentives for employees to compete rather than cooperate • May force the employer to improve its management practices and listen to employee ideas LO1