Labor Relations

Labor Relations

1. Collective bargaining can be defined as the process of negotiations that involves the representatives of employers and employees with the aim of evaluating the employment terms and conditions for employees (Budd 229). One of the mandatory components of a collective bargaining agreement is the aspect of compensation. The wages and fringe benefits due to the employees must be expressly defined in the collective bargaining agreement. Also, other allowances and monetary incentives such as profit sharing and vacations are included so as to give a clear picture of what the employee expects from the employer. Personnel policies and procedures must also be elaborated so as to define the rules of engagement between the employer and the employees. For instance, issues such as promotions, lay offs and transfers have to be included in the collective bargaining agreement. Employee rights and responsibilities are also critical aspects of any labor agreement. In this respect, factors such as seniority rights and job standards have to be considered. It is imperative to note that employers also have rights and responsibilities. Therefore, a collective bargaining agreement has to include issues such as the rights of the management and how issues of discipline and discharge will be dealt with.

The article by Hellen Elliot describes the collective bargaining process involving the National Hockey League (NHL) and the player’s association. The NHL made a second proposal to the players’ association after the first proposal was rejected. This case illustrates the component of compensation which is a core element of a collective bargaining agreement. The players’ association is seeking better wages and benefits for the NHL players while on the hand, the NHL is keen on cutting the salaries of the players in the wake of difficult economic times. The effort to cut the salaries of the employees by NHL illustrates the component of employer rights and responsibilities to exercise its rights of management.

Hellen Elliot captures the frosty relationships between employers and players in the National Hockey League. The players’ association is committed to ensuring that the players get higher wages while the employer is using gradually increasing offers to ensure the players settle for lower salaries. In order for the collective bargaining agreement to be concluded, either side will have to make concessions and compromises.

2. One of the United States’ laws that support collective bargaining is the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947. This law was enacted to restore a more balanced and fair relationship between labor unions and the management. Under this law, employees are allowed to refrain from participating in labor union activities. The Federal Mediation Services is also established under this Act to help in solving union disputes. This Act also gave the President powers to prohibit