INTER-UNION CONFLICT IN A MULTI- UNION, NON-EXCLUSIVE BARGAINING REGIME: LESSONS FROM NEW ZEALAND Mark Harcourt University of Waikato Helen Lam Athabasca University

Introduction

Problems with Majority and Exclusive Unionism

Advantages of Minority Unionism

National Labor Relations Act Sec. 7. [§ 157.] Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining... and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all such activities except to the extent that such right may be affected by an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment... Sec. 9 [§ 159.] (a) [Exclusive representatives; employees' adjustment of grievances directly with employer] Representatives designated or selected for the purposes of collective bargaining by the majority of the employees in a unit appropriate for such purposes, shall be the exclusive representatives of all the employees in such unit for the purposes of collective bargaining in respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, or other conditions of employment...

Potential for Inter-union Conflict under Minority Unionism

Methods

Question Categories on Conflict

Results

Conflict over Ideology

Conflict over Organising/Members

Conflict over Bargaining

Personality Conflicts

Other Conflicts

Conflict Consequences Minor problem Medium- sized problem Major problem One of Union’s biggest problems Total Wasted time/resources coping with/resolving conflict 11 (9%) 4 (3%) 4 (3%) 0 (0%) 19 (16%) Loss of members to other unions 13 (11%) 4 (3%) 0 (0%) 1 (1%) 18 (15%) Loss of members to individual agreements 14 (12%) 1 (1%) 1 (1%) 1 (1%) 17 (15%) Reduced bargaining power with employers 5 (6%) 10 (9%) 1 (1%) 2 (2%) 18 (15%) Reduced informal influence over employers 7 (6%) 1 (1%) 0 (0%) 2 (2%) 10 (8%) Reduced lobbying impact on government 4 (3%) 1 (1%) 1 (1%) 1 (1%) 7 (6%) Bad Public relations 3 (2%) 1 (1%) 1 (1%) 0 (0%) 5 (4%)

Conflict Avoidance and Resolution

Conflict Resolution Recommendations

Conclusions

Conclusions