Labor relations

Discussion

Review the reading “Can Unions Survive Technology” (see attachment) Provide a response to this article based on what you have learned in Human Resources Management (Labor relations).

How can unions continue to remain relevant in a more dynamic world of labor? Kavi Guppta FORBES, October 12, 2016 Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaviguppta/2016/10/12/will-labor-unions-survive-in-the-era-of-automation/#26a88b9b3b22 There is no “one best way” for unions to respond to these challenges, but there is consensus that unions will continue to remain relevant only by anticipating and adapting their organizing and collective bargaining strategies to the continuously changing economy, labor market, demography, work organization, and human resource management. Successful stories on unions embedding transnational corporations come from their ability to engage themselves in international networks and collective action. For example, thanks to UNI Global Union coordination efforts, the North American management of SecureCorp was convinced to abandon an anti-union strategy and sign an international framework agreement (IFA) at the end of 2008, setting important standards which could be referenced throughout the service and commerce sectors. Similar cases can be reported from both US and European countries, where international framework agreements between MNCs and trade unions have been signed since 1988 (when Danone concluded the first IFA). Equally relevant for trade unions committed to the promotion of solidarity is establishing alliances with community groups and civil society organizations. Though driven by the initiative of the local mayor, an example can be brought by the so-called “KeepGM” movement: a multi-stakeholder campaign organized in the city of Lansing, Michigan in the 1990s when General Motors was facing serious economic troubles. The strategy involved the most important