BUS 372 Complete Course Material

BUS 372 Complete Course Material | Strayer University 

BUS 372 Complete Course Material

The Role of Unionization. Assess the changing complexion of the U.S. labor force and how it directly affects the role of unionization in the workplace. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Meeting Member Needs. Given today’s globally competitive work environment, assess whether larger, more powerful unions (similar to AFL-CIO and SEIU) favorably represent their members or whether smaller, more targeted unions would better meet the needs of their members. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Profit Interest and Employee Interest. “Capitalism is directed towards the pursuit of profits and unions are directed towards the rights of workers.” Discuss how these opposing viewpoints can be advantageous, yet destructive, to the business community. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Union Requirements. A basic requirement of unions is for members to give up their individual rights (e.g., raises based on performance) to benefit the collective (e.g., cost of living increases to all employees). Discuss your opinion on whether this is equitable and fair. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Week Two Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week

Changing Landscape of Unions. At the inception of unions, its members consisted of “blue-collar” workers concentrated in the manufacturing sector. Today, only about 35% of union members remain in this sector, requiring unions to expand beyond manufacturing to broaden their membership ranks.

In a two to three page paper to submit to your instructor, detail the following in relation to the changing landscape of unions:

– Discuss how union membership has evolved over the past century.

– Evaluate how unions have modified their philosophy to accommodate this shifting landscape.

– Propose two (2) reforms unions should consider to broaden their appeal to a workplace environment that is becoming less dependent on the manufacturing sector and in which companies can more easily shift operations overseas to take advantage of lower wage rates.

The submission must adhere to APA 6th edition style guidelines.

Strikes. Strikes affect the income of members, the reputation of the union, and the financial position of an employer. Describe the circumstances where a strike would be an appropriate bargaining tactic and where it would be inappropriate. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Grievance and Arbitration. Discuss how the use of the grievance and arbitration processes and procedures can enhance the relationship between a union and management, and where it can be destructive. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Week Three Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.

Contract Negotiations. Contract negotiations require considerable education, experience, and training. Trained negotiators have a solid set of knowledge and skill that often enables them to garner a more favorable contract for their party.

In a one to three page paper to submit to your instructor, detail the following in relation to contract negotiation:

– Describe the knowledge and skill that are critical to the success of a contract negotiator.

– Present one (1) strategy an effective negotiator should consider to achieve a more favorable contract (for example: one strategy would be to prepare diligently for each negotiation).

The submission must adhere to APA 6th edition style guidelines. You may find it useful to visit the two websites listed in the “Recommended Readings” section of this week: United States Department of Labor Statistics and the O*NET Resource Center.

Strategy Analysis. Assess the circumstances when it would be more appropriate for an organization to follow the comparative norm strategy to determine an employees’ wage rate, versus the ability-to-pay or the cost of living strategy. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Organizational Competitiveness. Employees represented by a union are paid approximately 30% more (in terms of pay and benefit costs) versus those employees not represented by a union. Discuss how an organization whose employees are represented by a union can remain competitive against an organization whose employees are not represented by a union, especially when it must commit more monies towards its employees, which often requires lower investment in research and development and raising the price of its products and services. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Week Four Quiz. Complete the quiz on the assigned readings for the week.

Agency Shop. Unions state that individuals should be free to join, yet then argue that those organizations represented by a union should enforce the agency shop. Illustrate why this is not a contradictory practice and is consistent with U.S. legal principles. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings.

Evaluating Conflict. Analyze and evaluate whether unionized organizations reduce the level of conflict between management and labor, or exacerbate this conflict. Defend your case with appropriate examples. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ postings

Focus of the Final Paper

Some unions feel that the organization does not compensate its members fairly, or the organizational working conditions are less than desired. Conversely, some employers feel unions interfere with management decisions and impede on a positive relationship between managers and employees. There may be some truth to both perceptions. The final paper is intended to provide a ‘blueprint’ or ‘roadmap’ on the effective strategies an organization can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with unions, as well as the effective strategies a union can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with management.

• Briefly describe the role of management in an organization.
• Similarly, briefly discuss the role of a union in an organization.
• Finally, present:

– A minimum of two (2) strategies/actions an organization can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with unions.

– A minimum of two (2) strategies/actions a union can implement to create and maintain a conducive working relationship with management.