Factors Involved in Constructive Union-Management Relationships

Abstract

The authors propose that neither the legalistic, adversarial approach, nor the cooperative approach stands alone as the set of practices that constitutes "good quality" union-management relations. In fact, it is suggested that the ideal union-management relationship is one that is "constructive," a term drawn from the conflict literature. Utilizing data gathered with the Quality of Union-Management Relationship (QUMR) Instrument, evidence is provided that six major factors are related to the effectiveness of a union-management relationship. Two of these factors are classified as cooperative, two as adversarial, and two as neutral. A model of union-management relationships is presented.