The Decline of a Cooperative, Union- Controlled Grievance Procedure

Abstract

Between 1941 and 1992, the Columbus Typographical Union's grievance procedure underwent a change from a cooperative, union- controlled system with peer review as an important core feature, to one that became more adversarial and typical of industrial union procedures. Key factors outside the immediate employment rela tionship were largely responsible: the industrialization of Colum bus, federal labor policy, technological changes, industry restruc turing, and general changes in printing industry labor relations practices. Few unions had as much shopfloor power as the typogra phers ; few union members enjoyed more democratic rights in the workplace. Despite this, the union suffered tremendous losses. Thus, for unions, this case study shows that cooperation with manage ment in unstable, changing social environments can be a very risky undertaking, especially if they do not pay proper attention to their larger environment.