NCJ Number
103908
Date Published
1986
Length
35 pages
Annotation
Based on a survey of municipal employers and bargaining representatives of municipal employees in Wisconsin, this report describes bargaining strategies used in school and nonschool negotiations and discusses other factors that may affect parties' collective bargaining strategies.
Abstract
Questionnaires were sent to 350 bargaining units across the State requesting information on negotiations covering the contract in effect during 1983. Responses were received from 234 management representatives and 268 union representatives. The report presents information on both management and union perspectives of their own and each other's bargaining strategies. Rankings of frequently used strategies are presented for school and nonschool negotiations. The strategies surveyed included: used comparability throughout bargaining; placed greater emphasis on packages than on individual demands; dropped innovative demands during bargaining to improve chances of winning during arbitration; and held back concessions until appointment of arbitrator. The survey also explored the impact of three other factors: the use of agreed upon alternatives to statutory mediation-arbitration procedures; offers to withdraw final offers following unsuccessful mediation; and impact of an arbitration award on the next bargaining round. Tables.