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The development of industrial relations: A case study
Abstract
For the last few years the attention of the nation has frequently been called to a problem that has again and again threatened to become critical. Management-labor difficulties and the ensuing work-stoppages have become more serious as the interdependence of the economy has increased through the progress of technology. Even the most superficial investigation shows that there are wide variations in the degree of industrial peace or war that exists from firm to firm and from industry to industry. No simple correlation seems to be evident between the degree of "good" or "bad" relations and a classification of cases by industry, type of union, or affiliation. The answers are not so simple. Many students of labor and social relations in general have directed their attention to this problem. Numerous approaches have been made in the investigation of the under-lying factors that determine the quality of labor relations. The present study covers the relations between R. G. LeTourneau, Incorporated, Peoria plant, and Local 158 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, and Helpers of America, affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. The firm of R. G. LeTourneau, Incorporated, was chosen for a number of reasons. In the first place, the writer was privileged to be associated with this firm for seven years. Approximately one-half of this time was spent at the Peoria plant of the Company in the Industrial Relations Department. A further reason for the choice is that this firm has grown from a typical small job-shop enterprise to a company of considerable size in a relatively short time. In addition, the industrial relations of the firm have had a similar rapid progress from a personal guild-like basis through company-unionism, and finally to a status of a strong bonafide union relationship in which the labor organization enjoys a high degree of security and respect. The study presented herewith is a case-study from a clinical approach. No closely controlled experimentation is involved such as might give it a laboratory aspect. The findings and conclusions of other investigations in the field are used to establish criteria of measurement and evaluation. The industrial relations of the LeTourneau Company are then examined and evaluated on the basis of the criteria established. The initial and the 1950 contracts and two major intra-contract agreements negotiated in the early years of the relationship are included in the appendixes. Much of the source material has been obtained from Company files, records, manuals, and publications. The Union has also cooperated in making available information on its history. Numerous interviews with Company and Union personnel have supplemented the documentary forms of information.
Subject Area
Labor economics|Labor relations
Recommended Citation
Dick, William George, "The development of industrial relations: A case study" (1953). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAIDP13732.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAIDP13732