The labor relations system in the United States attempts to serve the goals of management, labor unions, and society at large. Management is interested in controlling its labor costs, maintaining its freedom of action, and increasing productivity. These goals may lead them to vigorously oppose union representation for its employees. Labor unions attempt to give their members an independent means of ensuring that their interests at work are protected and to ensure that the terms and conditions of work are as favorable as possible to workers. To do this most effectively, they try to maximize their bargaining effectiveness. Society has an interest in peaceful relations between employers and employees because it makes for a more stable society. Encouraging and regulating the labor-management environment is seen as promoting that goal.
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Avoid Adversity- Avoiding adversarial relationship with employees
Resolve Disputes- Resolving disputes over resource allocation in the least costly way possible
Build Membership- building membership to increase bargaining power
Maintain Control- Maintaining substantive control over the activities of the organizatio
Institutionalized Conflict- Managing conflict to reduce friction in the industrial setting
Avoiding Strikes- Avoiding the disruption to production processes a strike might cause
Equal Power- making bargaining power as equal as possible between employers and employees
Minimize cost- minimizing the cost of wages of cost and benefits
Halt Production- increasing its ability to halt or disrupt production if necessary to achieve its goals
Avoid Government- avoiding extensive government involvement in the economy
Protect Interest- Ensuring that employees interest are protected through the collective bargaining process
Independent Voice- Providing workers with an independent voice in setting the terms and conditions of their work