| The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of labor-management relations and the conditions necessary to achieve a collaborative environment. These issues were examined from both the lenses of labor and management. The focus of the research was to better understand the factors that promote and inhibit a collaborative relationship between labor and management in an effort to promote collaboration between the two groups. Personnel from labor and management in an educational setting were invited to tell stories of their experiences in labor-management relations and reflect on the factors that had both promoted and inhibited movement toward collaboration. A qualitative thematic analysis incorporating in-depth telephone interviews was used in this study.;Results of the study indicated adversarial conditions are still prominent in labor-management relations. Participants cited trust, open communication, and sharing information as foundational ingredients to support an amicable relationship. Analysis of the findings revealed the data pointed to three primary areas: descriptions of the labor-management relationship, barriers to collaboration, and facilitators of collaboration. Although many of the participants cited their relationship as adversarial, the potential outcome to move to a relationship of collaboration indicated this was plausible due to their long-standing association in that they were willing to work toward a relationship which yielded benefits for labor and management.;Developing an on-going labor-management forum for an exchange of information and ideas is one way to address concerns about collaboration. Discussing these concerns begins the process of dialogue. Through dialogue participants engage in open communication addressing topics of trust, sharing information, and mutual respect. Recommendations are presented for labor and management personnel, the organizations they work in, and for further research. |
