Unions, Productivity, and the New Industrial Relations: Strategic Considerations

Attempts to improve productivity in unionized workplaces are more likely to be successful if the union is formally involved. Union-management collaborative efforts, such as quality-of-work-life (QWL) programs, can improve productivity by promoting greater flexibility in the deployment of human resources and creating a climate favorable to shop-floor innovation. Union involvement is conditional upon assurances that productivity gains will not lead to loss of jobs.