Tim: You were very accurate in your descriptions. I've been involved with unions for over 30 years, going back to my days with the IBEW and CWA when I was climbing telephone poles.
I could write volumes on my philosophy of management and unions. I counsel companies across America about such things and the key thing I tell them is treat employees the right way and with respect.
I coined a phrase many years ago and have lectured on it extensively called "employee due process." I have saved hundreds and hundreds of employees their jobs because I told management to give that employee a second chance. Had three situations like that this past week, in fact, where management screwed up, treated a person the wrong way, didn't follow my view on "employee due process," and I said put them back to work, give them another chance instead of firing them. Then expect them to follow the rules and guidelines accordingly.
Unions.... I have had good relations with many of them. Others, not so, as I eluded to in a prior post. Have negotiated many contracts, special situations, and achieved win-wins. But, I've also seen unions drive companies into the ground and bankrupt them with their unrealistic demands. Sometimes it doesn't work out, as you noted, and so correct in your descriptions.
Back in my corporate America days, I had 15,000 employees and most of the property was union and had been for decades. Had great success working with the various unions. Again, win-wins, if you have reasonable people with fair and reasonable expectations.
RR |
