Labor Relations Paper

Essay by tamimidA, April 2010

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Labor Relations � PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT �6�

Labor Relations Paper

In the labor market today, the threat of union organization ranks high in an organization's priorities. An employer's rights to make decisions needs protection along with employee's rights to have protection against unfair treatment. Effective labor relations involve communication. In this paper, the author will define unions and labor relations and their effect on organizations. The author will also examine the effect of changes in employee relations strategies, policies, and practices on organizational performance. The author will also provide her opinion on the question: Are unions still relevant in the United States?

Unions and Labor Relations and their Impact on Organizations

A union is defined a group of workers who have formed an alliance for the purpose of bargaining on behalf of the workers with the employers about wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions. "Labor relations is a field that emphasizes skills managers and union leaders can use to foster effective labor-management cooperation, minimize costly forms of conflict (such as strikes), and seek win-win solutions to disagreements" (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhert, & Wright, 2007).While

labor relations normally discuss this exchange regarding unionized employees it also pertains to non-unionized employees.

Unions and labor relations has both positive and negative impacts on organizations. "Organizations are concerned if union organizing and bargaining will hurt their performance impact on productivity, profits, and stock performance. Researchers have studied the general relationship between unionization and these performance measures" (Noe et al., 2007, p.448/Ch. 14). Through skillful labor relations, organizations can positively influence outcomes.

The Effect of Changes in Employee Relations Strategies, Policies, and Practices on Organizational Performance

Cultural diversity is growing in organizations due to the increase technology and globalization. Employee relations strategies, policies and practices on organizational performance will continue to evolve with the constant changes...