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| A New Direction for Union/Management Relations A look inside New York's tile construction industry provides a good example of a shift by unions and management to deal with their problems through closer cooperation. The future was troubling for both the union and the employers. The unionized market share of major construction work was shrinking. The level of antagonistic rhetoric between union and management representatives rose to an alarming pitch. So Local 7 of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, headquartered in Long Island City, N.Y., took positive action – it sought closer and more hospitable relations with management. The employers, members of the Greater New York and New Jersey Tile Contractors Association, embraced the union initiative, and signs of cooperation began to emerge. The new spirit of cooperation among the tile workers and employers has already led to a revival of a long-dormant contractual grievance process and an escalation of civility at joint meetings. Nationally, about 8% private sector workers are unionized – a third of the total a quarter century ago. The major blame: globalization, outsourcing of jobs and a changing workforce, including a shift from manufacturing to high-tech. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Construction News :: home page |