Question

There is a dispute regarding the wage increase between the 500 workers and the management of a steel manufacturing plant. You have been hired by the workers in the capacity of a Labor Relations Consultant to explain them about the option to unionize.

Please create a brief report that you would discuss at a meeting with all the employees, starting with the information about structure of the union, the bargaining process along with the key terms used in negotiation.

There is a dispute regarding the wage increase between the 500 workers and the management of a steel manufacturing plant. You have been hired by the workers in the capacity of a Labor Relations Consultant to explain them about the option to unionize.

Please create a brief report that you would discuss at a meeting with all the employees, starting with the information about structure of the union, the bargaining process along with the key terms used in negotiation.

Answer 1

As a labor union consultant, the desired structure for making union to the employees is suggested. A trade union structure includes general membership, executive board, various committees and executive officers. General members of a union choose officers and executive board and they approve union’s policies. Union members are also required to pay fee of membership. The second level after general membership in the structure of union is executive board. Executive board members ensure that policies approved by union members should be enforced. Executive board members provide information about the union affairs to the union members. The third layer is executive officers. These are union president and vice president as well as treasurer, secretary and auditors of union. President of union ensures a sound functioning of union. The president directs general membership, executive board meetings and executive officers. Secretary of union maintain files and records. Treasurer monitors accounting functions and collects dues. The structure of union includes many committees as well such as training committee, welfare committee, etc. Thus, this structure is proposed to the employees to make a union.

To bargain with employer about wage increase, employees should come together and choose trade union representatives to negotiate with employer about wage increase. Those trade representatives are chosen who have competency and knowledge to bargain with employer. Old contract review and consideration of working conditions are also important to prepare for collective bargaining process. Employees have to prioritize demands that they will negotiate with employer. After that, union representative should meet with employer at bargaining table and propose their demand about wage increase as well as reason behind it. After that alternatives need to be developed by employer and trade unions to find an amicable solution that is acceptable by both trade union and employer. The terms used in negotiation process should belong to mandatory category such as wages as well as health and safety. Trade union representatives can also negotiate about benefits and work condition during bargaining process. Union should not bargain subjects that are considered illegal. Thus the employees should be recommended to follow the bargain process and terms of negotiation mentioned above.