https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-mediation-board-meeting-…
“Talks between 30 major freight railroads, including Union Pacific (UNP.N), Berkshire Hathaway-owned (BRKa.N) BNSF and CSX (CSX.O), and unions representing 115,000 workers have dragged on for more than two years. Seven of the 12 unions representing about 90,000 workers have yet to reach contract agreements.”
See: https://discussion.fool.com/railroads-reach-union-agreement-3515…
Cooling off period ends Sep 16.
Wow, 2+ years of negotiating and still no agreement.
Such a mystery how it could take so long with two parties that have such an interest in coming to agreement. /s
Such a mystery how it could take so long with two parties that have such an interest in coming to agreement.
Maybe this part—
“…the 12 unions representing about 90,000 workers…”
Not the “unions” bit, but the “12” bit.
Sometimes it’s not good to have too many people in the room with slightly different interests.
For example, if I were one of the union negotiators, I’d be darned sure not to be one of the first to agree to anything.
It would make it look to my members as if I had caved too easily.
Conversely if I’m the last one to agree, it looks like I bargained hardest.
If you have a dozen people all wanting to be last to agree, it might take a while!
Then the companies have their own motivations.
Jim
That was a bit of tongue in cheek sarcasm Jim.
In my experience, it is in management and union negotiators best interest to draw things out as long as possible.
Management is typically fine with status quo, and are trying to give up as little as possible.
Union negotiators are fine with drawn out negotiations because, well, that’s their job, and are trying to get as much as possible.
The greatest trick management/negotiators accomplish is convincing workers either of them care about them.
That was a bit of tongue in cheek sarcasm Jim.
…
In my experience, it is in management and union negotiators best interest to draw things out as long as possible.
It was speculative, but neither sarcastic nor tongue in cheek.
It was speculating on the same effect as you yourself noted: that the length of such processes depends greatly on the motivations of the parties involved.
To my mind it is crucial to observe that the motivations of the human participants are not necessarily tightly correlated what’s best for the groups they notionally represent.
Sometimes their personal incentives matter most of all.
Jim
Isn’t pattern bargaining the norm? There may be 12 unions involved but there is probably a pecking order with some setting the standard and others following along. And then some hold out for a few extra perks. And bragging rights!!!