Labor Relations: A Guide to Unionized Employment

What is Labor Relations?

In the modern North American context, labor relations refers to the practice of managing unionized employment. Labor relations systems establish formal and informal rules that govern collective industrial relations and provide a framework for interactions between employers, unions, and employees.

Key Aspects of Labor Relations

• Collective Bargaining: Unions and employers engage in collective bargaining to establish fair wages and working conditions.
• Negotiating Contracts: Labor relations involves negotiating contracts that define the terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, work rules, and grievance procedures.
• Resolving Disputes: Labor relations professionals play a key role in resolving disputes between employers and unions through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration.
• Workplace Harmony: Effective labor relations promote workplace harmony by fostering cooperation and understanding between employers and employees.