17: Labor-Management Relations
- Page ID
- 11160
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)After reading this chapter, you should understand the following:
- How collective bargaining was resisted for many years in the United States, and how political and economic changes resulted in legalization of labor unions
- The four major federal labor laws in the United States
- The process by which bargaining units are recognized by the National Labor Relations Board
- The various kinds of unfair labor practices that employers might engage in, and those that unions and their members might engage in
Over half a century, the federal law of labor relations has developed out of four basic statutes into an immense body of cases and precedent regulating the formation and governance of labor unions and the relationships among employers, unions, and union members. Like antitrust law, labor law is a complex subject that has spawned a large class of specialized practitioners. Though specialized, it is a subject that no employer of any size can ignore, for labor law has a pervasive influence on how business is conducted throughout the United States. In this chapter, we examine the basic statutory framework and the activities that it regulates.
- 17.1: Introduction to Labor-Management Relations
- This page outlines the evolution of labor rights in the U.S., highlighting early union struggles against government opposition and legal challenges, notably the 1806 conviction of the Philadelphia Cordwainers. The New Deal introduced legislative gains, but post-WWII dynamics shifted towards negotiation. Globalization and right-to-work laws diminished private sector unions, while public sector unions gained strength because they were insulated from relocation pressures.
- 17.2: A Brief History of Labor Legislation
- This page details the evolution of labor laws in the U.S., focusing on recent protections for union members' financial disclosures to promote transparency and combat corruption. It traces the historical challenges faced by labor movements due to common-law restrictions and antitrust issues, highlighting key legislative milestones such as the Clayton Act and the National Labor Relations Act.
- 17.3: The National Labor Relations Board- Organization and Functions
- This page outlines the structure and functions of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which comprises five presidentially appointed members. Its primary roles are to investigate unfair labor practices, requiring charges to be filed, and to determine exclusive bargaining agents for employees, with many cases being settled or dismissed at the regional level. Additionally, the NLRB holds representative elections for unions when adequate petitions are presented.
- 17.4: Labor and Management Rights under the Federal Labor Laws
- This page outlines the roles of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in union representation and collective bargaining, highlighting the importance of good faith negotiations by employers. It addresses unfair labor practices, types of strikes, and legal obligations during bargaining, including consequences for discrimination. It discusses modifications to collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) during bankruptcy, emphasizing the necessity of equitable conditions for judicial approval.
- 17.5: Case
- This page discusses the Emporium Capwell case, where employees alleged racial discrimination in promotions and took to picketing due to dissatisfaction with the Union's grievance handling. The National Labor Relations Board ruled their actions unprotected by labor law, highlighting the importance of unity in representation. The court later reversed an appellate decision that had suggested these picketing activities were entitled to special protection.
- 17.6: Summary and Exercises
- This page discusses the framework of federal labor law under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), emphasizing employee rights to organize and fair bargaining practices. The National Labor Relations Board regulates union elections and addresses unfair labor practices by employers and unions. Key points include the prohibition of discrimination against union members and restrictions on employer interference during organizing.