NCJ Number
101104
Journal
Labor Law Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1985) Pages: 637-645
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Labor-management cooperation in the 1980's, just like institutional arrangements at the turn of the century and in the 1920's, does not represent a sudden shift in the institutional interests of unions, employers, employees, or the Government. Rather, it reflects the interplay of industrial stakeholders during times of environmental (e.g., markets, law, technology, and/or society) turbulence and a declining labor movement.
Abstract
During periods of environmental stability, the rules binding industrial relations together can be viewed as an interplay of institutional interests. In contrast, during times of environmental turbulence and labor movement decline, such as presently exist, emergent institutional arrangements reflect a series of strategic decisions that set the outer bounds on employment relations. While there is still a focus on the process by which complementary and competing issues are sorted out and the nature of those interests, the focus is not limited to rulemaking and negotiations. Rather, the focus is on the process and content of problemsolving, dispute resolution, communications, and other aspects of the relations among the key stakeholders. During turbulent times, it is leadership, power, and the fit between emerging institutional arrangements and stakeholders' interests that shape the evolution and endurance of the new structures. 5 notes and 19 references.