Collective Bargaining for Nursing

Prepared by : Mustafa Flayyih AbdMaster of Science in Nursing

DefinitionCollective Bargaining IssuesObjectives Of Collective BargainingCharacteristics Of Collective Bargaining Types Of BargainingCollective Bargaining MembersCollective Bargaining ProcessAdvantages And DisadvantagesWhy Negotiations Fail

DEFINITION:-

Collective bargaining is a process between employers and employees to reach an agreement regarding the rights and duties of people at work.

Collective bargaining is an agreement between a

single employer or an association of employers on the one hand and a labour union on the other, which regulates the terms and conditions of employment.

Collective Bargaining Is A Process Of Discussion And Negotiation Between Two Parties.

Collective bargaining issues such as employees payworking hours training health and safetyrights to participate in workplace or

affairs.

OBJECTIVES OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 1. To provide an opportunity to the workers, to

voice their problems on issues related to employment.

2. To facilitate reaching a solution that is acceptable to all the parties involves.

3. To resolve all conflicts and disputes in a mutually agreeable manner.

4. To prevent any conflict/disputes in the future through mutually signed contracts.

5. To develop a conductive atmosphere to foster good organizations relations.

6. To provide stable and peaceful organization (hospital) relations.

7. To enhance the productivity of the organization by preventing strikes lock – out ect.

CHARACTERSTICS OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Collective: Collective bargaining is a two way group process where the employers representative and employees representatives sit together to negotiate terms of employment.

Strength: Both the parties in collective bargaining are strong and equal.

Voluntary: Both parties come to the negotiation table voluntarily in order to go in particular negotiation. It is based on discussion, mutual trust and understanding.

Formal: It is a formal process in which certain employment related issues are to be regulated at National, organization and workplace levels.

Flexible: It is a flexible and continuous process and not fixed or static.

Improvement: It is a method to improve the employer-employees relation in organization and resolve management and employees conflicts.

Representation: Collective bargaining is between the representatives of employees and management. The management does not directly deal with employees. It carries negotiations with the representatives/executives of unions and association.

Dynamic: Collective bargaining is dynamic, that go on changing over a period and grows and expand the way of agreement, the way of implementation and way of discussion.

Continuous: Collective bargaining is continuous and begins with agreement, the implementation of agreement and further negotiations.

Bipartite Process: Because the employee and employers representatives negotiate directly face to face across the table.

TYPES OF BARGAINING CONJUNCTIVE OR DISTRIBUTIVE

BARGAINING: Conjunctive bargaining is the most common type of bargaining & involves zero-sum negotiations, in other words, one side wins and the other loses.

COOPERATIVE /INTEGRATIVE BARGAINING:

Integrative bargaining is similar to problem solving sessions in which both sides are trying to reach a mutually beneficial alternative, i.e. a win-win situation.

PRODUCTIVITY BARGAINING: A form of collective bargaining leading to a productivity agreement in which management offers a pay raise in exchange for alterations to employee working practices designed to increase productivity.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MEMBERS

REGISTERED NURSESPHYSICIANSOTHER PROFESSIONALSTECHNICAL EMPLOYEESNON -PROFESSIONALS

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS

Collective bargaining process comprises of five core steps:

1.Prepare: This phase involves composition of a negotiation

team. The negotiation team should consist of representatives of

both the parties with adequate knowledge and skills for

negotiation.

2. Discuss: the parties decide the ground rules that will guide

the negotiations.

3. Propose:, this phase could be described as brainstorming‘.

The exchange of messages takes place and opinion of both the

parties is sought.

4. Bargain:. This stage comprises the time when what ifs and

supposals‘ are set forth and the drafting of agreements take

place.

5. Settlement:. This stage is described as consisting of effective

joint implementation of the agreement through shared visions,

strategic planning and negotiated change.

ADVANTAGESContract to guide standards.Participation in decision making

process.All union members and

management must confirm to terms of contract without exception

Process exists to question manager’s authority if member feels something was done unjustly

• Nurses gain control of practice.• Improve professional relationships.• Protect patients from inadequate and

unsafe care.• Ensure that nurses have fair pay, good

benefits and safe working conditions.• Provide power.

DISADVANTAGESReduced individualityOther union members may

outvote one’s decisions.Disputes are not handled with

individual and management only ;less room for professional judgment.

Must pay union dues even if one does not support unionization

Why negotiations failUnwillingnessChanging positionDelaying tacticsWithdrawal of concessionsUnilateral actionsRefusal