The New Industrial Relations: British Electricians' New-Style Agreements

Abstract

This study analyzes the response of the British Electricians' Union to economic adversity, and to new managerial strategies, as embodied in the union's novel agreements in three Japanese-owned British electronics firms. These agreements provide that the union is the sole bargaining representative in each firm; most British plants, by contrast, have multiple-union representation. Most of the new-style agreements also contain a no-strike clause, final-offer arbitration of interest disputes, and measures to increase labor flexibility, reduce the diversity in conditions among plant, office, and managerial employees, and enhance employee participation in major company decisions. The author views these agreements as evidence that fundamental changes in collective bargaining relationships are taking place.

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