Union Aspects Of An Impasse

When it comes time for contract negotiations within various business sectors, there are two sides looking to achieve results that benefit their group. The unions represent the employees who are looking to attain increases in pay, additional benefits, better hours, and better work environments. The organization management is looking to cut costs, raise profits, and increase productivity. When these two sides cannot reach an agreement over an extended time period, they reach an impasse. “An impasse occurs when, after a series of bargaining session, management and labor have failed to agree on a new contract or a contract to replace an agreement that is about to expire”(Ebert 162). When an impasse occurs, both sides often begin to utilize disruptive tactics to further their agenda. …show more content…
These union tactics typically include, “striking, picketing, boycotting, or work slowdowns” (Ebert 162). These tactics can be effective are not allowed in all sectors and can sometimes be counter productive. Most labor unions look for other avenues to negotiate with management prior to interfering with operations. On the management side of the equation, there are tactics employed to counter act or prevent the union members from interfering with operations while an impasse is in effect. A few of those management tactics are utilizing a lockout of employees from the business, or hiring strikebreakers to offset the effects of a union strike (Ebert 162). These practices are not decisions to be taken lightly by management, as they can have lasting effects, such as lowering moral in the workplace even after the conclusion of an