CHAPTER 1 Contemporary Labor Relations: Objectives, Practices, and Challenges Chapter Overview This chapter begins with a brief description of what students will encounter as they begin their study of labor relations. Seeing labor unions is their most fundamental sense (a group of workers seeking collective influence) is important, as is grounding an understanding of labor relations in three major objectives of the employment relationship (efficiency, equity, and voice). Each objective is defined and the examples help illustrate how these objectives can either work together or conflict with each other. That these objectives can conflict raises the fundamental labor relations issue of finding a balance. Students are also introduced to the current state of the U.S. labor relations, including the major pressures and concerns emphasized by corporate and labor union leaders. The chapter closes with a reminder of the many reasons why labor relations has continued relevance. Lecture Tips To get students thinking and to establish a culture of participation, even before passing out the course syllabus, at the beginning of the very first class, jump right in and ask: ―What is a union?‖ If students need prompting, follow with: ―What do you think of when I say ‗union‘?‖ Most responses will refer to large, bureaucratic organizations (Teamsters, teachers, UAW) and perhaps conflict, work rules, and so on. Urge a more fundamental conception: a group of employees, at a plant or work site, who wish to act together to try to determine their wages and working conditions—a group of workers seeking collective workplace protection, influence, and voice. Alternative, take this one step further and start with a ―quiz‖ in which students write down answers to the following: 1. List your learning goals for this course. 2. What do you think of when you hear the phrase ―labor union‖?