Chapter 23 Trade Unions

Recap of Previous Lecture Nature of IR Need for good relationship between management and workers Approaches to Industrial Relations Stakes of parties Proactive strategy to IR Role of HR department Role of HR department

Lecture Overview Nature of Trade Unions Why employees join unions Factors leading to unionization Union tactics Tactics to remain union free Role of HR department

Trade Unions “Unions are volunteer organizations of workers or employers formed to promote and protect the interests through collective actions” (p, 549) Definition of Unions include 1.Combination of workers or employers 2.Could be permanent or temporary 3.Regulate relationships among workers, workers and employers or among employers Strategic Choices before managers 1.Allow unions or remain union free 2.If want to remain union free then what to do? 3.If allow unions what type of relationships want? 4.Tactics to negotiate with unions

Why Employees Join Unions 1.To protect against exploitation 2.Dissatisfaction (psychological contract) 3.Lack of power 4.Union Instrumentality

Factors Leading to Unionization Personality, interests, and preferences Expectations that work will fulfill personality, interests, and preferences i) employment contract ii) psychological contract Work situation Dissatisfaction with work situations Union instrumentality Unionization Satisfaction Influence of management Attempt to resolve situation independently Adopted from: Aswathappa. Human Resource Management, Text and Cases, 2008, p. 552

Strategic Choices for Unions 1. Bread and Butter vs Political objectives 2. Adversarial vs Cooperative Role 3. Traditional issues vs New Services Union Tactics 1. Organizing drive 2. Strike 3. Political patronage 4. Blackmail

Tactics to Remain Union Free Effective first line supervisors Effective personnel planning and selection Effective training and development Effective personnel research Healthy and safe work environment Effective employer and employee relationship Open communication Effective remuneration Union free Adopted from: Aswathappa. Human Resource Management, Text and Cases, 2008, p. 561

HR practices and Unions HR practices negate the existence of unions because of following reasons HR seeks employee relationships on individual basis (Pay and performance) HR attempts for socialization of workforce means harmony amongst workers and between management and workers, emphasize authority of management Training programs attempts to bring loyalty and pro management attitude Team based work environment Merit based selection and promotion

Summary Nature of Trade Unions Why employees join unions Factors leading to unionization Union tactics Tactics to remain union free Role of HR department