Emerging Issues in Collective Bargaining
Union and Management are going to face many substantive and procedural issues in collective bargaining. Some of the issues can probably be handled at the bargaining table by using existing structures and strategies. Some of the traditionally handled issues are as follows:
Performance based Wage Bargaining
Wages will remain at the center stage but emphasis has shifted from assured wages to contingent wages based on contribution.
Women’s Issues
The explosive growth in the number of women employees may give rise to fresh challenges to both, the employers and unions to squarely face the particular concerns and problems of females on-the-job. Women issues are going to figure more and more in future collective bargaining.
Job Security/Job Insecurity
The potential loss of jobs due to technological change has always been a major concern for the unions. Use of automation and computers will expand as Indian companies attempt to increase productivity and remain competitive in the domestic and international markets. This will continue in the future and may even accelerate the collective bargaining process.
Productivity
Time has come, according to many economists, for the unions to be vitally concerned with productivity and to realize that employee welfare is tied dirccdy to the success of the enterprise and industry. In short, what is needed in collective bargaining is re-approachment between union and management that recognizes the necessity of co-operating to raise productivity.
Quality of Work Life (QWL)
The issue of quality of work life is related to the need for organized labour and management to work co-operatively toward the goal of greater productivity. The attention being paid now, to the QWL reflects its growing importance. It is apparent that substantial number of employees arc unhappy with their jobs and arc demanding more meaningful work. They do not want to be treated as cog in a wheel. QWL experiments will continue bargaining across the countries.
Managing Change Through Collective Bargaining
Negotiated change will be the order of the day. All types of flexibility and work place practices required to increase productivity and competitiveness will require collective bargaining process.