MGT 425: Union and Labor Relations

Course Description

This course will focus on providing a strategic knowledge of various labor relations, collective bargaining, and negotiation strategies and tactics across different types of organizations. Students will examine the history, current state, and future of union-management relations in the U.S. and other countries. Course content includes theories originating from labor economics, employment law, human resources management, organizational psychology, sociology, and organizational behavior. Students should gain a knowledge and an understanding of the practices used in the field of industrial relations, with special emphasis placed on technological, ethical, and sociological changes in today’s global environment. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • MGT 101: Principles of Management
  • MGT 315: Organizational Behavior

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Assess the roles of unions and organized labor and why people join unions as well as understand the types of union and labor management cooperation process.
  2. Judge and differentiate the roots of the American labor movement and distinguish the laws that led to and finally established collective bargaining.
  3. Explain the history and rights of employees in the public sector's labor relations as well as in the private sector.
  4. Write how bargaining units are formed in addition to the organizational campaigns election process.
  5. Evaluate the management of the employee and labor relations process in action.
  6. Evaluate Human Resources' role and relationship between employers and employees or labor unions.
  7. Make choices based on argument regarding the negotiating, collective bargaining process and cite advantages and disadvantages of the system.
  8. Examine social media and how employers develop and negotiate new policies to address productivity and legal concerns.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

20%

Two Reflective Paper (Week 2 & 5)

10%

Formative Assessments Quiz (Weeks 1-8)

10%

Midterm - 5 Page Paper (Week 4)

15%

Case Studies - Week (1, 2, 3 & 6)

10%

Individual Presentation (Week 7)

15%

Final 10-Page Research Paper (Week 8)

20%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Carrell, Michael R. and Christina Heavrin, J.D, Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining. 10th ed. Prentice Hall, 2013. ISBN-10: 0132730014 or ISBN-13: 9780132730013

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1

Topic: Introduction to Labor Relations

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 1
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Case Study: Job Performance

2

2

Topic: Private/Public Labor Relations Sector

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 2
    • Chapter 3
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Case Study: Discriminating Against Union Members
  • Submit 500 word Reflective Paper: “The roots of the American movement laws that led to establish the collective bargaining Process."

3

3

Topic: The Collective Bargaining Process

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 4
    • Chapter 5
    • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Case Study: Chapter 4 .1 (Salting)
  • Submit Case Study: Chapter 5. 2 Selection of Bargaining Team Members
  • Submit Case Study: Chapter 6. 2 Impasse in Negotiations

4

4

Topics: Ethics, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Arbitration, and Fact-Finding

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 6
    • Chapter 7
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Midterm Paper

Midterm Paper

Each student shall independently research a current Union, Labor Relations issue and prepare a background (5 Page) paper on that issue. The paper may trace a specific, recent labor/management dispute or it may examine a particular issue. This paper should be prepared from at least three sources or more other than the text. The course textbook may/should be cited as one of the references. The paper should clearly identity the issue, the relevant facts and laws related to the issue, a detailed discussion of the labor and management viewpoints on the issue. It should follow APA format.

5

5

Topics: Cost of Labor Contracts/Employee Benefits/Job Security and Seniority

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 8
    • Chapter 9
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit 500 word Reflective Paper: "Should employers be able to limit employees’ use of social media?  What are reasonable limits?"

6

6

Topics: Unfair Labor Practices and Contract Enforcement/Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 10
    • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Case Study: Chapter 10.2

7

7

Topics: Arbitration

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 12
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Watch Film
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Complete Individual Presentation

8

8

Topics: Comparative Global Industrial Relations/Globalization and Its Impact on U.S. Workers

  • Reading:
    • Chapter 13
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions (Discussion board exercises must be answered no later than Mid-week)
  • Complete Formative Assessments Quiz
  • Submit Final Paper
  • Complete Course Evaluation

Final Paper

Each student shall independently research a current Union, Labor Relations issue and prepare a background (Ten Page) paper on that issue. The paper may trace a specific, recent labor/management dispute or it may examine a particular issue. This paper should be prepared from at least three sources or more other than the text. The course textbook may/should be cited as one of the references. The paper should clearly identity the issue, the relevant facts and laws related to the issue, a detailed discussion of the labor and management viewpoints on the issue. It should follow APA format.

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.