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Describe the structure of collective bargaining.
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Collective bargaining is a form of collective contract. Every matter defining the relationship between the management and the workers may form a part of the contract. Usually two types of provisions are included in a collective bargaining agreement: (i) Economic provisions and (ii) political previsions.
Economic provisions involve provisions which affect the economic and working conditions of the workers. The political provisions include the provisions relating to the general administration such as divisions of authority and responsibility between the management and the employees or workers participation in decision making bodies or powers to challenge the decisions taken by management etc.
Generally, the following items may be included in a comprehensive contract:
(1) Wage rates, including shift and overtime wage rates, the method and the period of payment of wages and incentive wages.
(2) Allowances, holiday pay, leave with pay etc.
(3) Hours of work, holidays, vacations, leave rules etc.
(4) Lay-off of workers, rationalisation, demotion, discharge, promotion or transfers, covering particularly the nature and effect of security.
(5) Grievance-procedures including steps, time limitations and provisions for arbitrations.
(6) Safety and health facilities.
(7) Setting up of standards for production, methods and procedures.
(8) Workers representation in management, profit sharing and co-partnership
(9) Recognition of trade union and its authority.
(10) Maintaining discipline, penal provisions for indiscipline.
(11) Provision for retirement benefits such as pension, gratuity provident fund etc.
(12) Performance appraisal, job analysis and job evaluation.
(13) Bonus.
(14) Labour welfare and social security measures etc.
(15) Arbitration clause.
The alcove items are not all. Many others may be included in an agreement but certain items have specifically been excluded from the purview of collective bargaining such as managerial policies and decisions which cannot be negotiated in any way.
