This week’s content discussed both wage and non-wage issues of bargaining between unions and employers. Consider and comment on the following questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an employer conceding to union demands concerning wages and benefits in terms of productivity, retention, satisfaction, etc.? Is this trade-off worth it in your opinion? Why or why not?

2. How do you think new and innovative workplace initiatives such as flex-time scheduling, telecommuting, and the ‘Results Only Work Environment (ROWE)’ model are affecting the nature of union-employer bargaining over things like schedules, compensation, and benefits?