Union Workplaces/Non-Union Workplaces By Scott Parker

Purpose: Labor Categories, History and Definitions Labor Management Relations

Kansas is a “Right to Work” State Missouri is a “Forced Unionism” State

What Are Public Employees Allowed To DO? Kansas By Law, collective bargaining is permitted by all public employees, but subject to some limitations in the process. Strikes by public employees are prohibited. Missouri By Law, some public employees are granted a right to bargain collectively. Statute does not grant a right to strike.

“Forced Unionism” Employees are not obligated to join the bargaining unit in effect but are still required to pay union dues (“Union Shop”).

A Brief History of Labor Relations Unions Began Forming in the Mid- 20 th Century Social and Economic Impact of the Industrial Revolution Post-Civil War AFL (American Federation of Labor) Founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886 CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations) Proposed by John L. Lewis in 1938

The Purpose of Labor Unions To Bargain for Their Members Regarding: Wages Benefits Working Conditions Job Security Representing Members in Negotiations with Management Over Violations of Contract Provisions, or Personnel or Disciplinary Actions

Labor-Management Relations Who currently has a union? Who has a collective bargaining group? Who does not have organized labor?

What Are Some of the Public Employee Unions AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees) AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) (KOSE) Kansas Organization of State Employees

What Are Some of the Public Employee Unions Other Unions: Teamsters IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers) Others?

What Are the Advantages of Being in a Union? On average, union employees make 27 percent more than nonunion workers Ninety-two percent of union workers have job-related health coverage versus 68 percent for nonunion workers

“Right to Work” Employees have the right to decide for themselves whether to join a union or pay membership dues (“Open Shop”) Exemptions (important!) Employees who work in the railway or airline industries are not protected by a Right to Work law, and employees who work on a federal enclave may not be.

Taft Hartley Act of 1947 Prevented “closed shops” and “secondary boycotts” among other provisions. Prevented unions from negotiating contracts or legally binding documents requiring companies to fire workers who refuse to join the union Required Union Leaders to Swear they Were Not Communists!

Right To Work States

Labor-Management Relations

Assumptions: Most folks want to do a good job Employees want to be treated fairly and be respected Remember: It’s the players, not the game.

Labor-Management Relations Let your Human Resources folks do their job Keep HR informed, early and often, when you believe a personnel issue is developing

Labor-Management Relations HR says document, document

Labor-Management Relations Larry Says: Communicate Communicate…. Build relationships, build trust

Labor-Management Relations Scott adds: Be aware Remember the golden rule People quit their supervisor, not their job Be consistent, but be fair

Remember… Be up-front Be candid and truthful Follow your HR rules & regulations Do the right thing and do it right