LABOR RELATIONS AND ARBITRATION

OUTLINE CHAPTER 4
UNION BEHAVIOR: STRUCTURE, GOVERNMENT, AND OPERATION
OVERVIEW The structure of organized labor is primarily based upon a
federation system. A federation contains a number of national or
international (hereinafter-national) unions (such as the UFCW
American Dream). The national unions in turn as comprised of local
unions (there are a limited amount of independent local unions).
Naturally unions will be different based upon personalities of the
officers, heritage, size and day-to-day activities. Some are more
democratic whereas others are more autocratically run (teamsters
forced by government to change).
I. THE AFL-CIO
A. Relationship to National Unions
a. Similar to UN, nationals not forced to join and can withdraw if
they desire.
b. Nationals join because of the advantages of numbers, but are
autonomous
from the federation to conduct their own affairs
(collective bargaining, strike, etc.).
B. Merger of the AFL-CIO Affiliates
a. There is no pressure for nationals to merge, even if the
national is similar
in jurisdiction.
b. Even if contemplated difficult to accomplish (134-135).
c. Nationals may voluntarily join, usually to consolidate smaller
similar
jurisdiction or if one of the unions is encountering
difficulties (costs,
ownership).
d. Industrial consolidation remains major motivator.
C. Rules Enforcement of Federation
a. Rules require paying of dues and following decrees listed on
137.
b. Those nationals that violate rules face possible expulsion.
c. Some nationals voluntarily leave due dispute over policy
issues, and often return.
D. Advantages of Affiliation
a. Protection against raiding, each such affiliate shall respect
the established collective bargaining relationship of every other
affiliate and no affiliate shall raid the established collective bargaining
relationship of any other affiliate, (AFL-CIO constitution).
b. National officers may hesitate to raid if faced with expulsion.
c. However, the AFL-CIO does not offer support that involves
direct
participation of national activity (such as collective
bargaining).
E. Structure and Government of the AFL-CIO

a. National unions typically governed by conventions held every

four years.
b. Representatives decide critical issues which can include
constitutional
changes, election of officers, budget allocations, etc.
c. Other times the general president and executive board or
council runs the union.
F. State and City Bodies
a. The AFL-CIO maintains offices or bodies in each of the 50
states for political and educational support.
G. Functions and Problems of the Federation
a. The AFL-CIO aggressive on the political front, utilizing
lobbyists.
b. The results in the politics have been mixed (143), with more
successes in
Congress than in the White House.
H. Research Efforts
a. The federation conducts massive amounts of research that are
published to
in form union members and others abreast of labor
developments from the
perspective of the union.
I. Organizational Drives
a. Promotes new organizations through its own efforts and
supporting affiliated unions.
J. Foreign Affairs
a. Has spent union funds in efforts such as anti-communism.
b. Has spent funds, especially lobbying efforts to derail fast-track
authority of
the part of US presidents (foreign trade pacts with
low-wage nations without
congressional amendments or codicils.
c. The federation has cooled down on strict support of Democrats
(146).
K. The Federation and Cyberspace
a. The AFL-CIO has embarked on ambitious program to provide
discounted computers monthly online services to individual union
members.
b. Goal is to give voice to the many union members and provide
timely
information on labor issues.
II. THE NATIONAL UNION
A. Relationship to Locals
a. Nationals exercise considerable control, locals must obtain
permission prior to striking.

b. May withhold strike benefits and take over the local on a

trusteeship basis.
c. Reviews collective bargaining contracts prior to being
executed.
d. Concerned with local unions involved in producing products
sold in
national product markets.
B. Service in Collective Bargaining
a. Nationals very prominent in collective bargaining negotiations.
b. Locals usually lack the expertise or full-time officers.
c. Most national unions provide staff representatives who devote
their full
time to local union affairs, such as negotiating.
C. The Regional or District Office
a. Staff representatives may work out regional or district offices
within the various states.
b. Works closely during collective bargaining to determine the
values and objectives of members.
c. Good reps can exert great influence over locals to reject or
accept offers,
and can influence whether a strike will take place.
D. Multiemployer Bargaining
a. Management bands to negotiate with the national union,
valuable for
employers as it prevents whipsawing.
E. Additional National Union Services
a. Provide benefits during the course of a strike to avoid losing
strike to
hunger or unpaid bills.
b. Also aids in grievance procedure and arbitration, and provide
legal assistance.
F. Other Functions of the National Union
a. Organizing the unorganized by increasing membership, doing
so while
overcoming bad reputation and illegal tactics by employers
(156-157).
b. See Wal-Mart on page 161
G. National Unions and Politics
a. Provide funding for PAC and participate in advertising, urges
local unions
to participate in campaigning in their regions.
H. Other Activities
a. Educational services, vacation resorts (?), scholarships, social
functions, etc. to name a few activities.
I. Government of the National Union

a. Conventions usually held by virtue of constitutions, delegates

meet periodically to determine agendas of the national union, can be
extravagant
(see 166).
J. National Union Officers
a. Duties include carrying out the day-to-day activities of the
union in
accordance with the constitution of the national union.
b. Some unions are very autocratic, policies and laws have
changed how
many unions have conducted their activities.
c. Expected to have a role in negotiations, politics, and dealing
with issues such as wildcat strikes.
K. Remuneration
a. Salaries for union presidents are not lavish (see 172-173).
L. Tenure in Office
a. Despite term restrictions (national 5) (local 3), leaders
within unions
tend to be re-elected and can remain in office for
many years.
b. Most union presidents cannot comprehend leaving their office
(174-176).
III. THE LOCAL UNION
A. Where the People Are
a. The average local union member relates closely with the local
union and rarely with the national union (P-9).
b. Involved with the local elections and the officials.
B. Local Union Officers
a. After local unions come into existence and follow the rules and
bylaws
established by affiliation with a national union, the local
officers are elected.
b. Local officials usually work regular jobs in addition to their
duties, low pay, little if any staff.
c. May be prestigious or a stepping stone to higher office.
C. Functions of the Local Unions: Relations with Management
a. Direct negotiations with management, grievances, complaints.
b. Stewards handle day-to-day issues directly with employees
including participating in grievances.
D. Judicial Procedures
a. Local unions may have to discipline members for violations of
rules or
bylaws (see 180).
b. Charges are brought and a trial committee appointed.

c. Landrum-Griffin Act provides guidelines on how a local union

may bring an
action against a member (181).
d. UAW is unique in its use of a Public Review Board made up of
non-union members.
E. Political Activities
a. Local unions do participate in elections of political figures,
especially if
urged by the national union.
b. Effectiveness has been questionable for the presidential
elections in the past 40-50 years.
F. Other Functions and Problems
a. Community activities
b. Educational programs to help members and leadership to
become more
effective.
c. Membership attendance tends to be low (around 10%) due to
the average
agendas (memorials and finances), unless there is a
strike vote or an election.
IV. UNION FINANCES
a. Salaries, rents, clerical costs, office equipment and other expenses
continue to be the bulk of union costs.
b. Build-up for strike benefits is also a top priority.
c. Some unions may spend lavishly (Teamsters) to carry out their tasks.

V. SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

a. The traditional property rights on the job focus has been changed
to a degree by the unions.
b. Although the bread and butter positions are still important, the
union must recognize that the union must incorporate activities within
the community and legislative arenas that extend beyond the unions
traditional borders.