How does the history of unions and the collective bargaining process impact negotiations today? What are some of the current trends or problems in labor relation practices?

Overview:

The final project for this course is a research paper that covers the key principles and practices of labor relations. The purpose of this project is to apply the
knowledge and skills gained throughout this course to actively negotiate and agree upon portions of a collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, students
will have the opportunity to role-play in actual negotiation sessions and will take turns as representatives of both labor and management.
The final product represents an authentic demonstration of the skills and knowledge gained in this course as represented by the five course outcomes, and
affords students the opportunity to demonstrate how they apply course objectives to the course outcomes. It provides students with critical-thinking skills
needed to come to a collaborative agreement while considering the various interests of others.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:  An appreciation of the role of management and unions in society  An understanding of the historical precedents and current trends and problems underlying labor relations practices  A framework for analysis of our labor relations system in both the public and private sectors  Skills in applying this framework in collective bargaining, grievances, arbitration, and mediation
 Assist students to further develop competencies in: Communication, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Analytical Skills, Legal and Ethical Practices, Strategic
Approach, and Research
The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Four and Six. The final project will be submitted in Module Seven.
Prompt
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:  What is the role of management and unions in society today? How has this changed in the last 100 years?
 How does the history of unions and the collective bargaining process impact negotiations today? What are some of the current trends or problems in
labor relation practices?
 Would this negotiation process differ if it involved a public compared to a private sector union? Please explain.  How has this exercise increased your understanding of the collective bargaining process? What is your assessment of the value of mediation and
arbitration in this process to create a collaborative, win-win outcome?
 The purpose of a collective bargaining agreement – why is this document important and how detailed should it be? Explain the value of the various organizational leadership competencies (communication, problem solving, teamwork, analytical skills, legal and ethical
practices, strategic approach, and research) that are important to be successful in this type of negotiating process.
Milestones
Milestone One: Short Paper: Collective Bargaining—Employee Safety
In task 3-1, students will participate in a group discussion to simulate negotiating an actual collective bargaining agreement, and in task 4-2, they will write a
short paper that reflects on the negotiating process. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric document. Feedback should be
applied to the follow-on milestone and final project.
Milestone Two: Short Paper: Collective Bargaining—Employee Wages and Benefits
In task 5-1, students will participate in the second group discussion to simulate negotiating an actual collective bargaining agreement, and in task 6-2, they will
write a short paper that reflects on the negotiating process. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric document. Feedback
should be applied to the final project.
Final Submission: Summary of Labor Relations Principles Paper
In task 7-2, students will provide a summary of the key lessons learned during the negotiating process of this course as well as completion of the two milestones
above. The paper needs to be centered around the broad topic of building a relationship between management and labor and not a personal reflection on their
own negotiating process (this reflection was covered in Milestones One and Two).

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