Overview

This lesson will introduce the student to the collective bargaining agreement, the document that controls the relationship between the Employer and the Union for the benefit of the employees.  It will focus on the grievance procedure, the agreed-upon mechanism for resolving contractual disputes.

Learning Objectives

At the end of Lesson 2, you should be able to:

• Describe the four main components of the labor agreement.
• Understand extra-contractual agreements, practices and decisions that supplement the collective bargaining agreement.
• Recognize and critically analyze a grievance procedure and its procedural steps.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Grievance Procedure
• Discipline
• Past Practice
• Final and Binding
• Union Recognition
• Management Rights
• Time Limits
• Precedent v. Non-Precedent

Reading

• See Course Schedule in Syllabus

Activities

• Optional Discussion: Post your reactions to the recent readings and commentary. You may also respond to your classmates.