The labor relations system in the United States attempts to serve the goals of management, labor unions, and society at large

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The labor relations system in the United States attempts to serve the goals of management, labor unions, and society at large. Management is interested in controlling its labor costs, maintaining its freedom of action, and increasing productivity. These goals may lead them to vigorously oppose union representation for its employees. Labor unions attempt to give their members an independent means of ensuring that their interests at work are protected, and to ensure that the terms and conditions of work are as favorable as possible to workers. To do this most effectively, they try to maximize their bargaining effectiveness. Society has an interest in peaceful relations between employers and employees because it makes for a more stable society. Encouraging and regulating the labor-management environment is seen as promoting that goal.

This activity is important because HRM professionals must be able to recognize and take into account the labor relations objectives of management, labor unions, and society.

SELECT FROM: Society, Unions, Management

The goal of this activity is to determine whether each example is a goal of management, labor unions, or society.

1. Making bargaining power as equal as possible between employers and employees.

2. Providing workers with an independent voice in setting the terms and conditions of their work.

3. Avoiding extensive government involvement in the economy.

4. Avoiding an adversarial relationship with employees.

5. Avoiding the disruption to production processes a strike might cause.

6. Building membership levels to increase bargaining power.

7. Maintaining substantive control over the activities of the organization.

8. Managing conflict to reduce friction in the industrial setting.

9. Ensuring that employee interests are protected through the collective bargaining process.

10. Minimizing the cost of wages and benefits.

11. Resolving disputes over resource allocation in the least costly way possible.

12. Increasing its ability to halt or disrupt production if necessary to achieve its goals.