What Is the Collective Bargaining Process?

Summary

In this informative video, Jessica Miller Merrell, founder of Workology, delves into the collective bargaining process, a collaborative negotiation between employees and their union for better employment terms. She outlines the three stages of this process: identification of needs, negotiation, and contract administration, emphasizing the importance of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The video provides insights into the structure of a CBA, including mandatory, permissive, and illegal sections, and offers a sample CBA for further study. With a focus on HR leaders, this video is a valuable resource for those preparing for HRCI and SHRM certification exams.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Collective bargaining is a negotiation process between employees and their union to determine terms of employment, such as pay, scheduling, and benefits.
• 👥 The process involves two main parties: management (often including HR leaders) and the union representatives.
• 📝 A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the result of the negotiation process, aiming for a mutual decision that benefits both the business and the employee group.
• 🚗 The script compares collective bargaining to buying a car, emphasizing the negotiation and agreement stages.
• 📅 The process includes an identification stage where both parties determine their needs and set a timeline for reaching an agreement.
• 🔄 The negotiation stage involves back-and-forth discussions, with the possibility of heated debates and revisiting negotiations at a later date.
• 📑 Contract administration is the final stage where the agreed terms are documented and signed, forming a binding contract known as the CBA.
• 🔗 The CBA has a defined beginning and end, and it serves as a guideline for handling situations or challenges during its duration.
• 📋 The CBA consists of mandatory, permissive, and illegal sections, with mandatory sections required by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• 🚫 Illegal sections of a CBA include clauses that promote discrimination or restrict hiring to union members only, which can lead to legal issues.
• 👀 Before signing, the CBA is reviewed by legal experts from both the employer's and the union's side to ensure all terms are acceptable and legal.

Q & A

What is the purpose of collective bargaining?

The purpose of collective bargaining is for employees, often represented by a union, to negotiate terms of employment such as pay, scheduling, employee benefits, and work-life balance with the management of their employer.

Who are the two main groups involved in the collective bargaining process?

The two main groups involved in the collective bargaining process are the management, which usually includes executive leaders and Human Resources, and the union representatives, who are the executive leaders of the union involved in the negotiation process.

What is a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

A Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the agreement reached between the management and the union, which outlines the terms and conditions of employment for the represented employees.

How does the collective bargaining process compare to buying a car?

The collective bargaining process is similar to buying a car in that it involves two parties negotiating to reach a mutual agreement. It includes stages of identification of needs, negotiation of terms, and contract administration, much like the stages of deciding on a car, negotiating its price and features, and finalizing the purchase.

What are the three stages of the collective bargaining process?

The three stages of the collective bargaining process are identification, where both parties determine their needs and set a timeline; negotiation, where parties discuss and compromise on the terms; and contract administration, which involves finalizing and signing the agreement.

What is the role of HR in the collective bargaining process?

In the collective bargaining process, HR often plays a role in representing the management side, participating in the conversations and negotiations regarding employment terms and conditions.

What is included in the mandatory section of a CBA?

The mandatory section of a CBA includes topics required by the National Labor Relations Board, such as grievance procedures, benefits, perks, schedules, and attendance policies.

What are permissive sections in a CBA?

Permissive sections in a CBA are not mandatory but may include additional items that the parties agree to include, such as outlining the union's employee board of directors or general communication methods between the union and employees.

What constitutes the illegal section of a CBA?

The illegal section of a CBA includes terms that are not allowed, such as clauses that would allow the union to dictate hiring practices or introduce any form of legal discrimination.

How can one obtain a sample of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)?

A sample of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can be obtained by joining the HR certification study group on Facebook or visiting HRcertificationstudygroup.com, where it is available in the file section.

Who is Jessica Miller Merrell and what is her role in this context?

Jessica Miller Merrell is the founder of Workology and the creator of the 'Ace the HR Certification Exam'. In this context, she is the presenter of the video discussing the collective bargaining process.