effectively managing in a union free environment.2

(c) 2011 Robert L. Morehouse 1

Effectively Managing in a Union-Free Environment

Robert Morehouse, SPHR

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What would your employees say?

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Agenda

• What is your company’s position on unions?• A little labor history• Why do employees want unions?• Why do employees remain union free?• Treatment and RESPECT• What will it mean to you if your employees

organize• Positive actions• One more thing……

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What is your company’s position on unions?

• Do you have one?• Orientation• Some terms– Strike– AFL-CIO– “Right to Work”– Unfair Labor Practices

Unfair LP vs. Economic

National Labor Relations Act

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Labor History

• 1835 General strike for 10-hour workday• 1887 Haymarket Square• 1890 Sherman Anti-Trust Act• 1914 Clayton Anti-Trust Act• 1935 Wagner Act• 1947 Taft-Hartley Act • 1959 Landrum-Griffin Act• 1981 Reagan fires air-traffic controllers

National Labor Relations Act

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Why do employees want unions?

• Poor management• A common misconception “The employees want

more money”• The truth: “Unions generally do not seek to

organize…employees do.”• Lack of Security• RESPECT• “No other choice.”

It is NOT about money and benefits

Quote of a Union Leader

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Why do employees remain union free?

• Good management• Security• RESPECT• “Fair” treatment• Understand the business realities of their

company• Competitive pay and benefits

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The “How” of Treatment and Respect

• Share information with employees• Involve them in decisions that impact them• Have clearly written and available rules and

policies – more is not better• Follow your rules and policies• What is “favoritism?”• The Role of the Site Senior

Manager

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What it will mean to you the employees if you organize

• Probably will lose your job• T.I.P.S. and F.O.E.• Like a divorce• Deal with a third-party • Establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement• May become noncompetitive due to:• If you remain employed…a valuable learning

experience

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Positive Actions• The ± employee surveys• Management development• Live the principles behind the

“7 tests for just cause”• Know and communicate how

you are competitive ( if not…why?)

• Employee engagement

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One More Thing……

• For more information on this or other subjects:– Contact Robert Morehouse, SPHR– www.twinmountainassociates.com

• Rm5550hr@twinmountainassociates.com• Rm5550hr@gmail.com• 901-378-4556

• Education/Development– University of Phoenix– Other development options

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Questions

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