BFL Team

Exclusive Representation A majority of workers in a bargaining unit must appoint a representative with the exclusive or exclusive right to represent them in negotiations with the employer`s representative (29 U.S.C.A. The employer is not required to negotiate with an unauthorized representative (p. 158[5]). Once a valid representative has been selected, non-unionized workers are also bound by the collective agreement and cannot negotiate individual contracts with the employer (J. I. Case Co. /NLRB, 321 U.S. 332, 64 p. Ct. 576, 88 L Ed.

762 [1944]). Accordingly, the employer should not extend different conditions to workers in the bargaining unit, even if these conditions are more favourable, unless the collective agreement contemplates flexible terms (Emporium Capwell Co. v. Western Addition Community Organization, 420 U.S. 50, 95 P. Ct. 977, 43 L Ed. 2d 12 [1975]). Collective bargaining allows workers and employers to voluntarily agree on a wide range of issues. Nevertheless, it is limited to some extent by federal and regional laws.

A collective agreement cannot be entered into by contract, which is prohibited by law. For example, a union and an employer may use unconventional negotiations to deprive workers of the rights they would otherwise enjoy under laws such as civil rights laws (Alexander v. Gardner-Denver Co., 415 U.S. 36, 94 P. Ct. 1011, 39 L Ed. 2d 147 [1974]). Nor can collective bargaining be used to waive the rights or obligations that the laws impose on each party. For example, an employer cannot negotiate with collective agreements to lower safety standards that it must meet under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C.A.

Moreover, the collective agreement is not purely voluntary. The inability of one party to reach an agreement allows the other party to resort to certain legal tactics, such as strikes and lockouts, to exert economic pressure and to reach an agreement. Moreover, unlike trade agreements governed by national law, the collective agreement is almost exclusively governed by federal labour law, which determines issues that require collective bargaining, the date and nature of negotiations, and the consequences of non-negotiation or compliance with a collective agreement. A unilateral change to a mandatory bargaining topic before the outcome is generally an unfair labour practice, although workers may view the change as beneficial. According to the Supreme Court, unilateral amendments minimize the influence of collective bargaining by giving workers the impression that a union is not necessary to reach an agreement with the employer. For example, in NLRB v. Katz, 369 U.S. 736, 82 P.

Ct. 1107, 8 L Ed. 2d 230 (1962), the employer unilaterally changed its sick leave policy and increased its rates of pay without first negotiating with the union. The Court found that the unilateral change of the employer undermined the union`s bargaining ability on sick leave, wages and other conditions of employment. Duty to negotiate in good faith During the negotiation process, the parties are not required by law to reach an agreement. However, they must negotiate in good faith (29 U.S.C.A.