Assignment

The purpose of this forum is for you to have the opportunity to role-play an actual negotiation session with the goal of developing a collective bargaining agreement. The specific topic to be negotiated is related to employee safety.

In this forum, the instructor will divide the class into two teams. One team will represent management and the other will represent labor.

Note: The groups will be switched in Module Five for a similar activity to give students a chance to represent each side.

First, watch the accompanying video to get each side's perspective on the issue.

Your instructor has provided a rough framework of a collective bargaining agreement in the resources section for this module that provides some detail on the issue and how the agreement is currently worded. This will serve as the starting point for your negotiations. After watching the video, each team should immediately research the topic and use the discussion board to collaboratively craft the language in the agreement to favor their position. This initial language must be posted by Thursday of this week at the latest. Then, teams should begin using the discussion board forum as a negotiating platform and role-play a dialogue with the opposing side in order to come to an agreement on the specific language required in the agreement. The object is to rewrite the agreement with wording that addresses the issue in a way that each side is satisfied with the gains and concessions. The collective agreement is a legal contract and should be written with language that reflects that style document.

If both sides cannot come to agreement by the end of this module, the instructor will act in the role of mediator/arbitrator and will decide on the final language, which all parties are required to accept. In this event, the instructor will post the final agreement/document in the forum by midnight on Tuesday of the following module. This final agreement will be used in Milestone One, due in next week's module.

This discussion will cover two bargaining side.

1. From the standpoint of management:

• Employees are asking for new steel-toed boots every few months and appear to be taking advantage of the agreement.
• All of the employees want cold-weather gear even though some really do not perform many outside functions in the winter.

2. From the standpoint of the union:

• Sometimes the boots and gear get wet when working outside and a second pair is often needed but never provided.
• Employees are asked to do work with gear that is inadequate and worn out.
• There are growing concerns about the safety of employees in frigid working conditions with inadequate cold-weather gear

Discussion: CBA Example-Employee Safety

For use in Task 3-1, Discussion Board forum: Collective Bargaining - Employee Safety, in preparation for Final Project Milestone One.

The following Collective Bargaining Agreement Example is provided as a starting point for the development of a more detailed section that would eliminate confusion and conflict surrounding the specific issues of employee protective clothing, equipment, and tools.

From the standpoint of management:

• Employees are asking for new steel-toed boots every few months and appear to be taking advantage of the agreement.
• All of the employees want cold-weather gear even though some really do not perform many outside functions in the winter.

From the standpoint of the union:

• Sometimes the boots and gear get wet when working outside and a second pair is often needed but never provided.
• Employees are asked to do work with gear that is inadequate and worn out.
• There are growing concerns about the safety of employees in frigid working conditions with inadequate cold-weather gear.

Questions that need to be answered in the discussion forum:

• Should there be a set amount/limit that management will pay for new boots, jackets, and cold-weather gear?
• Should employees be allowed to pick out their own style of boots and gear?
• Is there only one source/vendor that all employees must use, or can they pick and choose?
• How should management handle gear that is worn out-should employees be able to keep it or does it go back to management?
• Can employees take the gear home with them, or should they change at the shop prior to the work shift?

SECTION 25.05: PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, TOOLS

The Employer agrees to provide to employees any required tools and safety or protective equipment, reasonably fitted safety clothing, and devices necessary to provide protection of employees from hazardous conditions to include inclement weather encountered during the performance of official duties. Such equipment will be provided as authorized by applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.The Union agrees to assist the Employer in aggressively publicizing the benefits of the use of protective devices and equipment by employees, and their adhering to good safety practices, policies, and procedures.