CASE 4 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.    Why do words like “organized labor”, “unions”, and the “Labor Movement”, seemed like vestiges from a bygone era?
2.    What has caused the steady decline of unionization in the private sector since the post-World War II boom?
3.    UNITE HERE has declared that it would not organize the “old fashion way”.  What are the old fashion approaches to unionization and why are they no longer desirable?
4.    What is the “Change to Win” organizing strategy?
5.    What role has globalization played in the changing opportunities and threats faced by union organizations?
6.    Why would an employer ever agree to a neutrality agreement?
7.    If you were a hotel operator could you have avoided the summer of 2006 situation?  Do unions negatively affect service?
8.    What do you recommend the large hotel operators do?  Obviously companies do not want a strike, but can they live with a neutrality agreement?
9.    What will national neutrality agreements mean to the small operator? Hilton? Other large operators?
10.    Will the agreements affect the ability of hospitality companies to manage and “flag” new properties?
11.    How will owners react to a strike over an issue (i.e. neutrality for future properties) that may not affect the current owners?
12.    What are some of the methods organizational leaders can use to effectively manage relationships with unions?

Go to the following link source:

Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Library, University of California, Labor Contracts by State. Retrieved from http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/library/lcState.html

Case Assignment

Select two labor contracts, each representing a different industry group. Discuss (in your own words):
•How the two contract sections on employee grievance handling differ and are the same (paying close attention to the definition of “grievance”; grievance processing steps, mediation and/or arbitration and other important topics in the clause).

•Compare and contrast their employee discipline/discharge clauses.

•Summarize by bringing in your module readings and/or library research to discuss the impact grievance handling might have on employee relations.

Bring in at least 3 library sources to help strengthen your discussion.

Please upload your paper by the module due date. Paper length: 4–5 pages, not counting cover and reference pages.

additional: Resources—
Barro, R. (2011, February 28). Unions vs. the Right to Work. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p. A.19. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2277985401).

Craver, C. B. (2013). Collective bargaining interactions, retrieved from http://www.negotiations.com/articles/collective-bargaining/

Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Library, University of California, Labor Contracts by State. Retrieved from http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/library/lcState.html

Noe, R., et. al., Human Resource Management, Chapter 14: Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations, chapter 14 PowerPoint presentation, retrieved from http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/aSGuest44737-390578-Chap014-HRM-Entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/

Recession weakening labor unions. Retrieved from http://newshour-tc.pbs.org/newshour/video/2010/09/06/20100906_3_laborunions.mp4