The Role of Management and Unions in Society Today
In the US, the unions gained prominence after the civil war as employees felt the need to have a collective voice. Labor unions are extremely Important to all labor employee as they examine the interests of the employees. They deal with different issues such as ensuring reasonable working hours, safe working conditions, good wages and stop child labor which in the earlier decades it was a huge problem ( Najita & Stern, 2015) . Similarly, the role of the management is to oversee the entire framework and ensure that everything is working out as it should. The management function is setting up the short term and long term goals, directing and managing the employees. If the management fails to do so, several problems may arise such as low productized and reduced quality.
How the History of Unions and the Collective Bargaining Process Impact Negotiations Today?
As the industry grew in the 19th century and the relationship between the employees and employers became less personal, an individual’s workers power was lost ( Villanueva, 2015) . A worker could not accomplish a lot regarding wage increase, shortening work hours or even provision of better working conditions. However such problems can be easily handled in the current era as employees are more aware of their rights.
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Current Trends and Problems in Labor Relation Practices
Corporate campaign is a current trend utilized by most unions to compel employees the need of unionizing the workforce. One of the major problems affecting labor relation practices is the decline of union membership in the private sector. Even though new and advanced techniques have been established to increase union membership, the private sector is not fully compliant ( Najita & Stern, 2015) . Based on the US Bureau of labor statistics, in 2012 the private sector represented only 6.6% whereas the public sector employees recorded a 40%. Working overtime is a persistent problem affecting the employees.
Collective bargaining has enabled unions and employers to reach a mutual understanding on various issues such as working overtime and good working conditions ( Villanueva, 2015) . For instance, the collective bargaining agreement states that the employer should provide safety or protective equipment while working. Safety gears and equipment are meant to protect the workers from hazardous conditions.
How This Exercise Has Increased My Understanding of the Collective Bargaining Process
Over the decades the collective bargaining process has experienced significant changes. The unions protect the workers against discrimination, low wages, poor working conditions and even child labor. Furthermore, the workers are aware they have a voice to air out all their concerns. However, the actual effect of collective bargaining on wages and bargaining is hard to predict for various reasons ( Wright, 2016) . Nevertheless, the estimate shows that wages represented by the union sector range between 10 and 30 percent which is better than it would be if the unions were not there. In the US, Collective bargaining is the dominant technique for establishing the working conditions of employees. Mediation and arbitration are vital tools for listening to both parties involved and arriving at a mutual understanding.
Organizational Leadership Competencies
Communication is an integral leadership competency in the negotiating process. One should have the ability to communicate effectively and clearly. Misunderstandings may arise for failure to clearly state one's case. As a negotiator, one must also have the ability to provide various solutions to problems. Ethical standards promote a trusting environment during negotiations ( Wright, 2016) . Therefore one must possess the skills of executing all the promises made after a bargaining process ends. Before entering a negotiating meeting, a skilled negotiator should research and prepare for the meeting. Research and preparation mean determining areas/goal, alternatives ideas to the stated goals.
References
Najita, J. M., & Stern, J. L. (2015). Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector: The Experience of Eight States: The Experience of Eight States : Routledge.
Villanueva, E. (2015). Employment and wage effects of extending collective bargaining agreements: IZA World of Labor .
Wright, M. J. (2016). The decline of American unions is a threat to public health.
