Free Labor Relations Case Study Sample

The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) wanted to divert the SGA management’s attention for several long months. The union concentrated on people working in the men’s ready-to-wear industry that deals with garments. The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union was involved in one of the most sophisticated organizing efforts of an organizing union ever seen. There was the use of computerized mailing that was done direct and extensive television and radio advertising to stay connected with the workers (Beik, 2005). Their efforts at SGA attracted a lot of attention across the board.
The SGA had various strategies that would assist it to manage the representation campaign. One of the strategies SGA employed to defeat the efforts of the organizing union was holding extensive meetings with business people, community members, and the religious leaders. The strategy attempted to influence the views of the workers towards the union in place. Another strategy used, was making the workers watch anti-union films during working time so as to change the worker’s attitude towards the union. Letters were also sent out by President White and Philips to workers’ homes; the letters emphasized the need for team spirit. The team spirit would not only keep the union out, but it would assist them to overcome every threat created by hosiery imports (Beik, 2005). Succeeding in keeping the union out, would assist the SGA to remain competitive in the hosiery business. President White emphasized the need for them working together as a team and the need to beat the encroaching competition by foreign companies through streamlining and consolidating their operations.
President White and Philips repeatedly made visits to plants to shake workers’ hands and to listen to their various concerns (Reynolds, 1974). Workers and community members filled the weekly employee newsletter with anti-union letters. SGA workers received a letter late in the campaign period from Jack Philips; the letter tried to explain why they should vote against the union. The employees divided themselves over the union that was organizing the campaign. An Anti-union committee was formed by several employees to organize an SGA Loyalty Day. Hats and T-shirts were worn by the employees with various writings explaining their concerns. The employees expressed their views openly stating that they did not feel that it was in their best interest to be served by Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union.
SGA management might face unfair labor practice charges as a result of their strategies during their campaign (Sloane & Witney, 1972). SGA is likely to get charged with allowing the workers to watch anti-union films during working hours. According to the Labor Union laws, a company or business cannot allow its employees to watch anti-union films during working hours as this reduces a companies’ productivity in the market. SGA might be charged for allowing its employees to write and fill the weekly employees’ magazine with articles that rise against the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union. SGA actions were against the law since this will ruin the Union’s reputation, and this might be termed as defamation. The act by SGA can be termed as an unfair labor practice (New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, 1947). Some of the Pros employed by SGA include, President White visits to listen to the worker’s concerns and grievances. The letters sent by the President encouraging workers to unite served as a good move by SGA.
SGA made mistakes despite having other good strategies; their move to write articles against the union in a weekly employees’ magazine was against the law. The scripture encourages a family to be united. Their unity in prayer is how they can overcome the devil. Also, children are told to respect their mother and father if they desire to live long. Christians caught in such circumstances should learn the art of unity in love and fellowship in whatever they do. When people unite, it is difficult for them to be defeated.

References

Beik, M. (2005). Labor Relations. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations. (1947). Industrial and Labor Relations Review. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
Reynolds, L. G. (1974). Labor Economics and Labor Relations. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall.
Sloane, A. A., & Witney, F. (1972). Labor Relations. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.