Current Trends and Implications of HRM with reference to Trade Unions

Observes that there has been much discussion about human resource management (HRM) policies and packages and what their implications may be for trade unionism. Explores the impact of HRM policies and practices on trade unionism through a detailed three-year case study examination in manufacturing, utilities and the civil service. Advances the argument that the way unions deal with HRM at a local level is varied and depends on the traditions and forms of union organization and practice in different sectors, although common to these packages is the attempt to individualize work relations and weaken the resources of collective worker power. Maintains that, in the context of considerable restructuring and job insecurity in the manufacturing sector, union responses have been largely reactive and muted, occasionally resulting in the emergence of debilitating union forms of “social partnership”. In contrast, HRM policies in the public sector and the utilities have been one part of a more profound restructuring in these sectors and unions have been faced with the problem of developing or revitalizing workplace forms of organization. Concludes by asserting that such developments place the question of the way unions organize and operate at a workplace level, in the context of individualized and consensual work relations firmly back on union agenda.

Unions are in troubles because they have a national base. Multinational companies can jump from state to state, also in a very short time (knowledge transfer is made one year or less, now), so avoiding any consistent and long term dialogue.

If States try to put in place extra regulations just to have multinational companies more "sticked to the communities", this make them automatically less competitive for the investment world wide market

In perspective, it seems that the labor is expected to have the same mobility degree than the financial capitals.

That is very funny: let's see the near future implications (:-)

The trade unions would surely  look after the wide interests of the workforce from recruitment, placement, representation, negotiations including emotional disturbances and difficulties like stress management and over work load and working hours.  If there are trade unions in every organisation, it would assist progressively in raising the security, standard of both working and living with better bargained and negotiated future benefits to both the self and families.  I support the existence and participation of every worker in the trade unions which is also recommended by the National Commission of Labor which has suggested to improve the harmonious industrial relations between the management and the work force.

Trade Union and Labor Association in any industry would be better in negotiating, representing labor issues and settlements?