Valizade, D orcid.org/0000-0003-3005-2277, Cook, H orcid.org/0000-0002-5580-7501, Forde, C orcid.org/0000-0001-9518-7151 et al. (1 more author) (2022) Are bargaining concessions inevitable in recessions? An empirical investigation into union bargaining priorities and trade-offs of pay rises for job security. Employee Relations, 44 (6). pp. 1485-1503. ISSN 0142-5455
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the extent of bargaining concessions in recession through investigating the effects of union bargaining on pay, job security and workforce composition.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on an original survey (n = 400) of workplace level trade union bargaining units in England, the authors employed latent class analysis to establish three groups of bargaining units on the basis of pay outcomes achieved. Linear regression analysis with moderation effects investigated whether pay rises at or above inflation in conjunction with shifts in bargaining priorities was associated with decreases in perceived job security and changes in the composition of the workforce.
Findings
Around a quarter of sampled units, concentrated mostly in decentralised bargaining units in the private sector, achieved pay rises at or above the inflation rate during an economic downturn. Pay rises at or above inflation in workplaces severely affected by recession triggered changes in bargaining priorities requiring some concessions, notably in terms of employees' job security. That said, across the sample, achieving pay rises was associated with improved perception of job security and lesser use of contingent labour.
Originality/value
The findings uncover a subset of bargaining units able to secure positive outcomes for workers against a hostile economic tide, whilst demonstrating that concession bargaining is not inevitable but rather contingent on the micro-environments in which union bargaining takes place.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. This is an author produced version of an article published in Employee Relations. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Concession bargaining; Job security; Pay rises; Real wages; Recession |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Work and Employment Relation Division (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jul 2022 14:55 |
Last Modified: | 22 Dec 2022 01:19 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Emerald |
Identification Number: | 10.1108/ER-12-2021-0550 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:188717 |