Business - Hr

1. Unions often demand more benefits than they expect to win during contract negotiations. Assuming that during a recession money for benefits is very limited, what would you, as an HR representative on the negotiating team, present as a counter offer? Why would you make this proposal? What arguments would you use to persuade the union to accept your offer?

A human resource representative on a union contract negotiating team needs to focus on the actual interest of the union's demands because union negotiators often present an extensive list of proposals partly to satisfy their constituents and partly to provide themselves with issues on which they can show flexibility later in the process (Noe, 2010). Finding out what they are willing to give up will make the process go a little smoother for all parties involved. During a recession all parties need to negotiate what is best for everyone involved because integrative bargaining seeks solutions beneficial to both sides, and that is the negotiation process we should use to define our position in the proposal of a counter offer. My proposal would be to ask the union which issues are the most important to them and their members while informing them of the monetary issues that might ensue during a recession. The best thing to do is inform them that if they can relinquish some of the less important demands of the offer then we could negotiate a contract that will benefit all parties, and ensure that the company can afford to operate in the black. This is beneficial to the union, employees, and the company due to the fact that if we cannot afford to operate there will be a decline in employment levels. Offering to reevaluate the "bare necessities" contract sooner than normal because of the circumstances involved with the recession can help the union negotiators cushion the blow of not meeting all the demands listed. Hopefully informing them that the recession has been taxing on the company and in order to stay in business without laying off employees, there must be a mutual understanding of this fact.

2. How has globalization affected benefits offered by employers to American workers? Why?

Globalization has caused stress and apprehension among many American workers, for good reason too. Due to the fact that rising trade with developing countries may drive down the wages of domestic workers in developed countries. In our country we have experienced little economic or productivity growth in the past few years while inflation and unemployment have continued to rise, this has not helped globalization gain supporters, if anything there is more insecurity amongst the masses about jobs being "shipped overseas." The manufacturing sector has been the most affected by globalization, and Indiana is one of the states that have experienced firsthand the job losses and pay cuts by the reduced need for lower skilled workers. I