Collective bargaining is defined as “U.S. labor relations system that works effectively, efficiency, equity and voice in which are achieved through collective bargaining. In collective bargaining, the representatives of the employer and the employees negotiate the terms and conditions of employment that will apply to the employees.” (Budd 11) The terms and conditions that are typically negotiated include
(1) Compensation: wages, benefits, vacations and holidays, shift premiums, profit sharing. (2) Personnel policies and procedures: layoff, promotion, and transfer policies, overtime and vacation …show more content…
Walmart is nonunion, but has an open-door policy to discuss work related issues. Employees were requesting pay increases and more predictable schedules, and expanded health-care coverage. OUR Walmart is a group funded by a union. “During October 2012, OUR Walmart members and supporters began a series of walkouts and protests across the country to increase pressure on the retailer before the holiday shopping season.” (qtd in Berfield) Berfield stated that “The details of Walmart’s efforts during the first year it confronted OUR Walmart are described in more than 1,000 pages of e-mails, reports, playbooks, charts, and graphs, as well as testimony from its head of labor relations at the time. The documents were produced in discovery ahead of a National Labor Relations Board hearing into OUR Walmart’s allegations of retaliation against employees who joined protests in June 2013.” Walmart stands behind their decision and explains that it’s their job to ensure the safety of their employees. They are aware that on occasion there are outside groups that attempt to disrupt their business and they respond accordingly. Ultimately Walmart had a great turn out for the Black Friday event, making 1.8 million. Moreover, they filed “an unfair labor practice allegation against the UFCW in November 2012, contending that the one-day walkouts weren’t legally protected.” (qtd in Berfield) Claims of retaliation were never proven. However, Walmart “disciplined about 70 associates who had been part of the caravan or protests, including almost 20 whom it fired, per OUR Walmart. The company said it was enforcing its attendance policy and not illegally targeting strikers. OUR Walmart alleged retaliation.” (qtd in