Union Support for Gainsharing

Gainsharing  . . . Flourishing in Union & Non-Union Environments

Gainsharing will flourish in non-union and union environments. The union status of the company is not a pivotal factor in the success or failure of Gainsharing plans. Unions, in and of themselves, are not impediments to successful Gainsharing implementation. Progressive company and union leaders will guide the Gainsharing process to success. Marginal company and union leaders will aim the process toward failure.

Seventeen unions (in the United States) responded to a survey soliciting their perception of Gainsharing plans.

The top nine reasons for unions favoring Gainsharing were:
  1. Increased recognition
  2. Better job security
  3. Increased involvement with job activities
  4. More money
  5. Increased feeling of achievement or contributing to the organization
  6. Increased influence of union
  7. Greater contributions to the nation's productivity
  8. Compatibility with union goals
  9. Fewer grievances


The top nine reasons for unions opposing Gainsharing were:

  1. Management may try to substitute it for wages
  2. Management cannot be trusted
  3. Peer pressure to perform may increase
  4. Bonus calculations are not understood or trusted
  5. Union influence is undermined
  6. Increased productivity may reduce need for jobs
  7. Grievances may go unprocessed
  8. Gainsharing is incompatible with union goals
  9. Employees really do not want more involvement


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