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Union Co‐operation in a Context of Job Insecurity: Negotiated Outcomes from Teamworking

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  • Nicolas Bacon
  • Paul Blyton

Abstract

This paper explores the ‘mutual gains’ argument that employees benefit when teamworking is introduced alongside employee involvement in problem‐solving and within a co‐operative industrial relations climate. It reports worker outcomes from negotiations to introduce teamworking across two steelworks. Moderate union branches and employees at one of the works (Scunthorpe) co‐operated with managers in joint problem‐solving teams to redesign work. However, contrary to mutual gains expectations, greater job insecurity at this works coerced union branches to accept teamworking agreements containing extensive demanning and a pay increase for fewer employees. Employees perceived greater job security at the other works (Teesside) and by rejecting joint problem‐solving with managers, militant union branches protected more jobs and extracted higher payment for teamworking. The findings indicate that job insecurity can lead co‐operative unions down a slippery slope of coerced co‐operation restricting employee benefits from teamworking.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Bacon & Paul Blyton, 2006. "Union Co‐operation in a Context of Job Insecurity: Negotiated Outcomes from Teamworking," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 44(2), pages 215-237, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:44:y:2006:i:2:p:215-237
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8543.2006.00495.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William N. Cooke, 1990. "Labor-Management Cooperation: New Partnerships or Going in Circles?," Books from Upjohn Press, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, number labor, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mark Bray & John W. Budd & Johanna Macneil, 2020. "The Many Meanings of Co‐Operation in the Employment Relationship and Their Implications," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 58(1), pages 114-141, March.
    2. Wenchuan Liu & James P. Guthrie & Patrick C. Flood & Sarah Maccurtain, 2009. "Unions and the Adoption of High Performance Work Systems: Does Employment Security Play a Role?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 63(1), pages 109-127, October.
    3. Sheikh Raheel Manzoor & Hafiz Ullah & Murad Hussain & Zulqarnain Muhammad Ahmad, 2011. "Effect of Teamwork on Employee Performance," International Journal of Learning and Development, Macrothink Institute, vol. 1(1), pages 110-126, June.

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