Collective Bargaining in the Motor Freight Industry

The specific objective of this study is to evaluate the relative bargaining strength of labor and management in the motor freight cartier industry. Relative bargaining strength implies more than the degree of organization existing on both sides; in this instance, bargaining strength is also a function of the unique features of the motor freight carrier industry, such as the degree of government regulation, internal and external competitive position, internal structure and economics, and the characteristics of the major union involved. The collective bargaining relationship in any industry always functions within the framework of existing economic and political conditions. Thus, if significant changes should occur in the general price level, the labor market, or basic labor legislation, the relative collective bargaining strength would be vitally affected. For purposes of this study, the current economic and political conditions are assumed. Traditionally, it has been generally accepted that employers in almost all instances, enjoyed the dominant position in the collective bargaining relationship. More recently, unions have achieved a greater parity in bargaining power in certain industries. This study suggests that a complex of internal and external organizational and economic factors results in a bargaining relationship in which the union is the dominant power. This article will be limited largely to a discussion of relative bargaining strength involving Class I motor freight carriers, drawing heavily upon the experiences of the Central region. The Central region employs approximately 31% of the total employees in the industry and handles approximately 30% of the total freight tonnage. (Author's abstract courtesy EBSCO.)

Bargaining power · Business · Collective bargaining · Economics · Government (linguistics) · Industrial organization · Labour economics · Legislation · Market economy · Microeconomics · Political science · Position (finance) · Transport engineering · Engineering · Finance · Labor Movements and Unions · Law · Transport and Economic Policies

• Changes in the Trucking Industry and the Teamsters Union

  Open Access•R Friedman, Samuel R Friedman•Insurgent Sociologist•1978

  Add to list