For this phase of the project, you will take on the role of the Arbitrator. In this role, write a 1 -2 page paper making your final decisions on the contract issues giving specific reasons for your decisions. Be sure to provide the following in your paper

IBEW REPRESENTATIVE

1

Danielle Moore

Rasmussen College

Workforce and Labor Relations Management

Author Note:

This assignment is being submitted on Sept 07, 2015 for Collin Louison for Workforce and Labor Relations Management Course

The IBEW had to be wiser and approach the negotiating table at a more clear way on how they were going to raise their demands to the company. Some of the demands were however out of the contract but had a clear position on many issues relating to the performance their duties. First, the IBEW demanded a change on the benefits to workers. These benefits mainly involved the vacation time, payments during sick time, benefits to health services and personal time off policy. Each worker expected the change of payment in different department depending on the length of experience. The company was willing to meet certain demands but the negotiations stalled because of certain high demands from the workers. The workers made the following demands to the company:

First, the position of the IBEW involved the vacation time. They wanted a change in vacation time to one week for those workers who had been in service and those who had been in two weeks in two years. Those who had been in five-year service wanted a three-week vacation time. The wanted a vacation time carried over annually. The IBEW also demanded change in sick time policy. This involved one paid sick day every month. The sick days also were to accumulate and carried over year to year. The change of personal time off policy was also one of the issues that the workers demanded. The policy was to be a five-hour personal time to run personal duties like appointments and school meetings. Other benefit demanded by the IBEW also was an increase in a large portion to 70% and family coverage to 50%. The position stated by the workers included the freedom to change in medical options like the HMO or PPO Life insurance policy was also one of the major issues and the position of the workers on this issue was the employer to pay a life insurance to each worker. The workers also wanted a change in time in reporting to work especially the warehouse staff from 6am to 7am.the office worker also were to report at 8:30am and should include a one hour paid lunch.

Lastly, the position of the IBEW was a change in the tuition reimbursement given to the workers still in school. The workers were to take courses related to the business and awards given to them according to the grades scored in class. Some of the contract demands are not negotiable because of the large wage demands that the company could not meet. The number of employees were also too large for such demands to be met hence could derail the functions and running of the company. An increase in wage bill means more demand to the profits and resources of the company. Secondly, some of the demands were personal issues and therefore the working hours in the company could at minimum due to many workers taking a vacation and time for class for the workers who wanted to further their studies.

Another case involves the medical liability insurance. Some workers will try an effort to get a hundred percent of this service. Some workers might be malicious and would injure themselves with the company products to receive a full medical insurance scheme.

Some of the demands went against the policies and regulations of the company and therefore would affect the smooth running of the company. According to Loughran, (2003, pg.126), a breach to the company’s policies would mean change of some adjustments which could involve high costs of formulation the especially the vision plans. These demands would mean cuts of costs in different departments in the company leading to a state of profit loss. For any negotiations to go through the contract must first be specified. The terms and conditions should also be specified in any negotiations in a contract. According to Loughran, (2003, pg.126), the job satisfaction of worker should also be considered for the growth of a company. The company could not meet some demands unless some thorough research was done to understand the implications and benefits it could bring to both parties. Some of the demands were to be discussed one at a time to make the necessary changes in order and achievable in due time.

References

Loughran, C. S. (2003). Negotiating a labor contract: A management handbook. Washington, D.C: Bureau of National Affairs.

Marsh, P. D. V. (2000). Contract negotiation handbook. Aldershot: Gower.

Guth, S. R. (2008). The contract negotiation handbook: An indispensable guide for contract professionals. Morrisville, N.C: Lulu Press.