Question

Discuss the various structures, strategies, and tactics unions and employers will use to effectively manage employer/employee relations within companies.

Answer 1

There are different strategies that are used by the unions and employers to effectively manage the relationship between the employee and employers in the organizational setting. The first strategy is collective bargaining that is used by the unions during the negotiation for the fair wages and benefits for the employees. It brings employees and employer to be on one platform and employees get the benefits of the outcome of collective bargaining strategy. The second strategy is the one that is used by the employers and management. It is the legitimization of the role and identity of the union in the organization. It is a proactive tactics used by the management to build confidence and cooperation between the union and employers. It builds smoother relationship between these two and effective management of employee relations take place. The third strategy is collaboration and cooperation based negotiation strategy by the union and the employer so that a win-win outcome is created. Here, the union and employers collaborate and work together as per the labor laws and finalize the policies involving the employees to maximize the benefits for them. It makes efficient management of employee relations.
Besides, the union also apply the tactics of the lockout or strike & its consequences, if any action is taken that goes against the broader interests of the employees. It deters the employers to go for any such drastic action that is illegitimate and illegal.  
Therefore, above tactics are used by the unions and employers to achieve the common objectives.