TRENDS IN COMPUTER USE IN COLLECTIVE-BARGAINING

A survey of union and management negotiators was conducted to characte rize the use of computers and other information technology (IT) in col lective bargaining activities. Software use, data sources, and attitud es toward the use of computers by both types of negotiators were exami ned and compared. Results suggest that while, computer use is extensiv e among both labor and management negotiators, programs in use are gen erally limited to spreadsheets and database management systems. Negoti ators tend to use computers primarily to generate contract packages an d conduct cost-benefit analyses. Concerns regarding Information used i n decision-making are consistent with those posed in the information s ystems literature.