Who the heck is this guy from Washington DC? Worked at Economic Policy Institute Ph.D. in economics Grew up in the Midwest Lived in Germany several times Influence Undergraduate professors

Criteria By Which Decisions in the Workplace are Made WORKPLACE RULES Criteria By Which Decisions in the Workplace are Made

Examples of Workplace Rules How much to be paid? How much of an increase? What will be the criteria for increases? When will increase be given? Any fringe benefits associated with the job? What will be the criteria for promotion? What will be the criteria for layoffs, if necessary? Who will be trained? Who will be disciplined? How will discipline occur? What hours will be worked? Who will work what shift? For how long? Who is assigned what work? Pay for part-time workers. Procedure for moving from part-time to full-time.

How are the Rules Made? Individual Bargaining Employer Unilateral Determination Collective Bargaining With a union\labor organization as representative of employees usually done pursuant to legal procedures

Forms of Rules Unarticulated - ad hoc (created as needed) oral statements of intent written statements of intent oral policies written polices oral contracts written contracts individual bargaining collective bargaining

Procedures for Modifying Rules Modified at Will of Employer Unarticulated - ad hoc (created as needed) oral statements of intent written statements of intent oral policies written policies oral contracts? Modified only with Agreement of Both Parties or at an agree-upon date written contracts collective agreements

Collective Bargaining and Employment Relations Participants: labor, management, and government Each group has different goals Multiple interest perspective--employee interests v. firm interests Conflict is inherent between labor and management, not pathological, but out of different economic interests

Collective Bargaining and Employment Relations, cont. There exist common as well as conflicting interests between employer and employees “The essence of an effective employment relationship is one in which the parties both successfully resolve issues that arise from their conflicting interests and successfully pursue joint gains.”