Question

2. In February of 2000, the Teamsters began recruiting workers of Dell Computer Corporation, one of Tennessee's newest major employers. The teamsters want to bargain for the 1,500 Middle Tennessee workers in order to give workers a voice in working conditions, health-care benefits and other issues. Some employees are receptive to the organizing effort because they claim that they expected wages to be higher than they are -wages are currently about $7.50 to $8.00 an hour and employees had thought that wages would be closer to $10.00 an hour. Though some workers are receptive, much work remains to be done. a) List three organizing tactics used by labor. b) List three tactics used by management to prevent union certification. c) Describe the union certification process step-by-step. d) The Teamsters claim that they would like to receive authorization cards from 60-65% of all workers who would be voting in the certification election. What percent of the bargaining unit must sign an authorization card in order for the NLRB to conducticertification elections? e) Are authorization cards binding? That is, if a worker signs an authorization card, must that worker later vote to certify the union as the bargain agent? ) Describe the trend in union organizing. In particular, 6) has the number of yearly NLRB certification elections increased, decreased, or remain the same over the last 40 ycar? (i) Has the percentage of these certification elections won by the union increased, decreased, or remained the same? g) Given your answer to part f, describe the reasons why union organizing has become more easy/difficult

Answer 1

Organizing Tactics used by Labor

                  Labor needs to protect their interests so they try and find various ways in order to protect themselves against various trade practices. Some of the major practices include collective bargaining and strikes. Various additions by the government were also made in order to create balance between the two. National Labor Relations Act was also laid in 1935 to ensure such practices.

TACTICS USED BY LABOR UNIONS:

• Collective Bargaining through Union representatives:

              Collective Bargaining is an arranging procedure between an organization and associations to settle an assortment of issues, including compensation, hours, plant and security standards, and complaint systems. It's classified "Collective Bargaining" in light of the fact that the association workers, by and large, are consulting with organization through union representatives. Each side is committed by law to consult in accordance with some basic honesty, which by and large methods openness and fairness.

Arranging another contact begins a while before the old one terminates. The two sides spread out their positions, which more often than not begin far separated to give each side a lot of dealing room. In the case of everything works, the different sides meet up and sign another agreement. Arrangements can end up warmed. On the off chance that they achieve an impasse, the contention can be alluded to intercession, however it's not authoritative. On the off chance that the association doesn't get fulfillment, it can turn to a strike.

• Economic Strike by workers:

              In such a case workers protest by not agreeing to work unless their demands are met. Strikes are riskier to perform as it may result in losing the jobs of the employees. A strike is usually held over issues such as low wages, high working hours, bad working conditions, etc.

              One can also hire replacement workers and it could be even worse if they do not join the union leaving the workers with no jobs and weak union.

              However it may a good tool but if it do no encompass high number of strength it may prove redundant or even worse.

• Boycott

           Boycotting companies products and encouraging others to do the same is another strategy used by unions. According to "Managing Human Resources", "In 2003, at the request of two affiliates, , the AFL/CIO added the road show of the Broadway musical Miss Saigon to the show. As the unions objected to the use of nonunion performers who worked for particularly low wages and to the use of a virtual orchestra." Use of a virtual orchestra apprehended the musicians because it could substitute a live orchestra with a software desgined-generated orchestral voice.

TACTICS USED BY MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT UNION CERTIFICATION:

• Fair and consistent policies and practices:

              Pay fairly and provide good working conditions to the employees.

• Provide an outlet for problem resolution:

              Allow employees to learn from their mistakes and give a good consultation to them.

• Communication:

           Communicate with the employees and work accordingly.