In retrospect,the events at UPS are good reminder of how valuable union-management cooperation can be.
For more than 80 years, UPS and Teamster union had worked together, producing an employment relationship that benefited both workers and the company.
Over the years,service quality had been excellent, absenteeism was low,employees were relatively satisfied with their jobs,
they enjoyed employment security and received continual training,and the result was a profitable company. But maintaining such a positive and cooperative relationship takes constant work from everyone involved.
Among the roles and responsibilities to be fulfilled are those shown in the feature"The HR Triad Extended: Roles and Responsibilities in Unionization and Collective Bargaining".
As conditions continue to change in the 21st century, the union-management relationship will likely also change.
Changes are likely to occur both in unionization efforts and in the bargaining relationships between existing unions and management.
For example, the UAW is extending its efforts to unionize nonteaching employees in universities. Changes are also occurring within unions as they consider offering alternative forms of aspects membership such as an associate status. To put into perspective these aspects of union-management relationship, this chapter describes the process of forming a union and the characteristics of administering an agreement reached between the union and management