Implications of small bargaining units and enterprise unions on bargainingdisputes - A look into the future?

Using a large data set of large and small bargaining units, this paper exam ines the implications for collective bargaining disputes of the evolution t oward small bargaining units and the move to nontraditional forms of repres entation. It is found that smaller bargaining units, as well as independent unions in both the public and private sectors, are less likely to reach an impasse. This finding supported those hypothesizing the cooperative nature of these organizations. These two sets of results suggest that the movemen t to smaller bargaining units, and towards more independent representation, will result in a higher proportion of directly negotiated settlements in t he future. However a reduced incidence of impasse does not necessarily mean a reduction in industrial conflict. We found evidence of a shift away from a collective expression of conflict such as strikes, to more individual ex pressions. Thus, in the future, there may be a greater need for internal co nflict resolution systems.