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Private Vs Public Sector Unions

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Assume that you are a Human Resources professional within the public sector. For the next meeting the supervisor request to interpret the environment for bargaining and how it can affect negotiation outcomes, especially as it relates to public sector labor relations.

How can a positive environment help with negotiations? How can a negative environment halt negotiations altogether? How is the public sector different from the private sector in terms of negotiations, if at all? As a human resources professional, it is imperative that you can answer and articulate these questions to the employees and management teams. If possible, support your viewpoint with local data.

Length: 5-7 pages

Reference: At least five (5) scholarly resources. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources may be included.

Use current APA standards.

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Solution Summary

The response provides you a structured explanation of differences between public and private sector labor relationships. It also gives you the relevant references.

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In compliance with BrainMass rules this is not a hand in ready paper but is only guidance.

The environment for bargaining the public sector is very different from that in the private sector. A human resource manager in the public sector does not have a one sided financial motive that exists in the private sector. This means that the human resource manager does not bargain with the sole objective of reducing costs for his employer. The human resource manager also takes into account other factors when bargaining with the public sector professional. Another issue that the human resource manager has to encounter that some of the representatives of management in public sector may be be sympathetic to the unions (1). This can change his negotiation strategy. Further, as a human resource manager in the public sector, I cannot threaten to close down the plant, use contract laborers, or offshore the production to a foreign country. My negotiating powers are highly curtailed. In the public sector, I must remember that there are few substitutes available for the goods and services provided. For example, a public school does not have close substitutes. Similarly, most goods provided by the public service does not have close substitutes. In addition, in the public sector unions are better organized and have well trained full time negotiators who have excellent negotiation skills. Also, in the public sector I am likely to face one formidable negotiator. It is unlikely that I will face representatives from several negotiators. Apart from being experienced and skilled in negotiations, union bargainers are likely to have accurate information about the ability of my employer to pay. As a human resource manager, I have several disadvantages when negotiating with unions in the public sector. The negotiators can challenge me with authentic information from the public domain and compel me to give in to their demands.

A positive environment can help negotiations with public sector unions. A positive environment encourages trust, acceptance, and support. As a human resource manager I will strive to create a positive environment. This will help clarify the goals and interest of the public sector unions. When there is trust and support, the union representative will be free to discuss issues openly. Also, If there is a positive environment both the parties will give a kind ear, be understanding, and keep channels of communication open during difficult phases of discussion. Such ...

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  • BSc , University of Calcutta
  • MBA, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management
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