COLLECTIVE-BARGAINING IN SMALL FIRMS - PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE

This analysis of 481 negotiations in Michigan over the period 1987-91 suggests that fundamental changes may have occurred recently in collec tive bargaining in small firms. Only 33% of the negotiations conformed to the traditional model of arm's-length collective bargaining; the b alance involved either highly contentious or highly cooperative relati ons. Further, in only one-sixth (17%) of the cases was the contract se ttled within one week before or after the contract expiration. Delays were more common and longer in negotiations in which settlements were implemented unilaterally by management over labor's objections than in cases involving strikes. Concessions figured prominently in the major ity of the negotiations in the sample, with a shift from wage to benef it concessions occurring during the period examined.