Reference no: EM132396640

HRMN 3840 Employee and Labour Relations
Thompson Rivers University

Collective Bargaining Case Study Assignment

Watch the film "The Final Offer" which provides a first-hand account of the 1984 Collective Bargaining negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) Union and General Motors Canada. While you watch this film complete the following tasks:

1. Create a mind-map the identifies the key issues and points made during the film related to the following central themes:
• Key Bargaining Issues
• Key Labour Relations Concepts
• Employee and Employer Relationships (GM Canada)
• UAW Canada and Local Reps/Employee Relationships
• UAW Canada and GM Canada Relationships
• Union Politics/Conflict
• Bob White as Lead Negotiator
2. Answer the following questions to help you develop context for the applied questions.
• Identify the bargaining structure?
• What methods of bargaining do you see evident in the film?
• This documentary was filmed in 1984 - a mere 35 years ago. Besides the awesome hair and cool shorts, what do you notice about the workplace and the negotiations that you believe differs from today's workplaces?
• Identify ALL the key stakeholders in this deal?

After completing your mind-map and answering your initial questions, please answer the following applied case study questions:

1. What were the key bargaining issues for each of the stakeholders? Think beyond the specific contract items.

2. Bob White does not share all the details of his discussions with the UAW President or General Motors with the Local Representatives of the UAW Canada until he absolutely has to. What would be the reason for this?

3. What impact did union politics have on this dispute?

4. What negotiating strategies does Bob White use?

5. Do you believe that the outcome of this negotiation would have been successful if Bob White was not the lead negotiator? Why?