Fundamentals of Management, 8th ed

F I G U R E 8 . 4

The Union-Organizing Process

If employees of an organization want to form a union, the law prescribes a specific

set of procedures that both employees and the organization must follow. Assuming

that these procedures are followed and the union is approved, the organization must

engage in collective bargaining with the new union.

Chapter 8: Managing Human Resources in Organizations

2 4 7

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Organizations usually prefer that employees not be unionized because unions limit

management’s freedom in many areas. Management may thus wage its own cam-

paign to convince employees to vote against the union. “Unfair labor practices” are

often committed at this point. For instance, it is an unfair labor practice for manage-

ment to promise to give employees a raise (or any other benefit) if the union is

defeated. Experts agree that the best way to avoid unionization is to practice good

employee relations all the time—not just when threatened by a union election.

Providing absolutely fair treatment with clear standards in the areas of pay, promo-

tion, layoffs, and discipline; having a complaint or appeal system for persons who

feel unfairly treated; and avoiding any kind of favoritism will help make employees

feel that a union is unnecessary. Walmart strives to avoid unionization through these

practices.

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