Conflict can happen on many different levels between all types of groups, however, conflict in the workplace can cause a lot of stress on everyone
... [Show More] involved. How that conflict is resolved is what’s important. This year one of biggest conflicts occurred between General Motors and the United Auto Workers, when the workers decided to go on strike because they didn’t agree with what General Motors was giving them. The United Auto Workers union is leading its first strike against General Motors Co. in 12 years, digging in for a fight over jobs and they are willing to compromise. Having this knowledge ahead of time could help to resolve benefits that could cost the carmaker dearly for an indefinite period (UAW Strike, 2019). It’s important for both sides to know what is important to them, remain ethical, and to try and come to a resolution in a timely manner.
Negotiation Process
When entering negotiations whether it’s for a major company, employee to management, making a major purchase, just between friends it’s important each party knows what they want and if any conflict that may come up. In the case of the United Auto Workers (UAW) they went on strike because their current pay, health insurance premiums, and retirement benefits that all temporary and permanent employees were receiving. With the strike is could “cost General Motors (GM) about $50 million a day in earnings before interest and taxes due to lost production” (UAW Strike, 2019).
A proposed way to alleviate or mitigate the conflict between GM and the UAW could be for both sides to assure their counterparts that they will do their best to meet the goals, identify all progress, suggest alternatives to the deal, have a BATNA and WATNA, and lastly to seek a win-win. The proposed suggestions do go for both sides. The reason for the UAW to go on strike are very important to them, therefore, that is why they felt the need to strike because they wanted to make sure that GM understood the importance. Since GM doesn’t have the manpower to keep the company operating at full compacity the UAW have more power in terms of negotiations. Most negotiators believe that power is important because it gives one negotiator an advantage over the other party (Lewicki, Saunders, & Barry, 2015). It’s safe to say that the UAW does have the advantage as their strike is costing GM a great deal of money, therefore, there is a strong possibility that the UAW will get a majority of what they are asking for.
The UAW has made their goals clear and they are willing to holdout until a reasonable agreement is made. Since they are negotiating on such a large scale it’s important the union has their designated representatives to attend all meeting with the GM representatives. However, to make sure that everything runs smoothly a mediator is necessary. The mediator will serve as the go-between for GM and UAW, and needs to be an unbiased person or company. After each meeting the representative for each needs to report back to their counterparts to give them an update and discuss what if anything needs to be discussed in the next meeting. [Show Less]