Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

As a specialized function within Human Resources and management, Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining governs the relationship between an organization and its employees who are represented by a labor union. The central process is collective bargaining, where management and union representatives negotiate to reach a formal, legally binding agreement—the collective bargaining agreement (CBA)—that dictates wages, working hours, benefits, and other terms of employment. This field aims to create a structured and stable work environment by establishing clear rules and procedures for resolving disputes and managing the employer-employee partnership.

1. Foundations of Labor Relations
   1. Historical Context of the Labor Movement
      1. Pre-Industrial Labor Organization
         1. Medieval Guild System
         2. Craft-Based Labor Associations
         3. Apprenticeship Systems
      2. Early American Labor Development
         1. Colonial Labor Practices
         2. Post-Revolutionary Labor Conditions
         3. Early Labor Associations
      3. Industrial Revolution Impact
         1. Factory System Emergence
         2. Working Conditions Deterioration
         3. Child Labor Practices
         4. Women in Industrial Labor
      4. Major Historical Labor Conflicts
         1. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877
         2. The Haymarket Affair of 1886
         3. The Homestead Strike of 1892
         4. The Pullman Strike of 1894
         5. The Lawrence Textile Strike
      5. Evolution of National Labor Organizations
         1. Knights of Labor Formation and Decline
         2. American Federation of Labor (AFL) Development
         3. Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) Formation
         4. AFL-CIO Merger and Structure
         5. Independent Union Development
   2. Theoretical Foundations of Labor Relations
      1. Economic Theories of Labor Relations
         1. Neoclassical Economic Theory
         2. Institutional Economics
         3. Labor Market Segmentation Theory
      2. Industrial Relations Theories
         1. Pluralist Theory
         2. Unitarist Theory
         3. Marxist and Radical Perspectives
         4. Human Relations Approach
         5. Strategic Choice Theory
      3. Employment Relationship Concepts
         1. Employment-at-Will Doctrine
         2. Just Cause Standards
         3. Due Process in Employment
         4. Collective Voice Theory
         5. Exit-Voice-Loyalty Model
   3. Legal Framework of Labor Relations
      1. Pre-New Deal Labor Law
         1. Common Law Conspiracy Doctrine
         2. Yellow Dog Contracts
         3. Labor Injunctions
      2. Railway Labor Act of 1926
         1. Coverage and Scope
         2. Mediation Requirements
         3. Arbitration Procedures
         4. Emergency Board Process
      3. Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932
         1. Anti-Injunction Provisions
         2. Protection of Organizing Rights
         3. Limitations on Yellow Dog Contracts
      4. National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (Wagner Act)
         1. Legislative Purpose and Intent
         2. Coverage and Exclusions
         3. Section 7 Employee Rights
         4. Section 8 Unfair Labor Practices
         5. National Labor Relations Board Creation
      5. Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act)
         1. Amendments to NLRA
         2. Union Unfair Labor Practices
         3. Right-to-Work Provisions
         4. National Emergency Strike Procedures
         5. Restrictions on Union Activities
      6. Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (Landrum-Griffin Act)
         1. Union Member Bill of Rights
         2. Financial Reporting Requirements
         3. Union Election Regulations
         4. Trusteeships and Internal Affairs
   4. Key Stakeholders in Labor Relations
      1. Management Representatives
         1. Senior Management
         2. Human Resources Professionals
         3. Labor Relations Specialists
         4. Line Managers and Supervisors
         5. Legal Counsel
      2. Employee Groups
         1. Union Members
         2. Non-Union Employees
         3. Supervisory Employees
         4. Professional Employees
      3. Labor Union Structure
         1. Local Unions
         2. National and International Unions
         3. Union Federations
         4. Independent Unions
      4. Government Agencies
         1. National Labor Relations Board
         2. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
         3. National Mediation Board
         4. Department of Labor
         5. State Labor Relations Agencies