Employers, labor become 'foxhole buddies' striving for survival in tough economy

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_S_labor20.2f60c04.html

04:05 PM PDT on Saturday, July 19, 2008

By JACK KATZANEK
The Press-Enterprise

Unemployment is up, hiring is down and businesses are being very careful about what they spend.

None of this adds up to a seller's market for employees. And, if the conventional wisdom is followed, a limp economy does not yield much leverage for labor unions, either in organizing or at bargaining tables.

Few people question that the economy is playing a part in labor decisions, and some employers and union negotiators say the climate has created a sense of mutual interest between labor and employers: survival.


David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise
Leo Corella, a welder with Ironworkers Local 433, works on the renovation of Fox Theatre in Riverside. Some unions say their contracts were negotiated before the housing slump, and fewer concessions were made.


Some Inland Southern California union activists, especially those whose workers help build large commercial or government projects, say their long-term outlook is better than one would expect.

Also, in private-industry negotiations, people on both sides of the table recognize that the economy affects workers and companies and has to be considered.

Randy Cammack, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 63 and a vice president of the Teamsters' international operation, said negotiators have to temper their expectations in this climate, especially when benefits are on the table.

"When the cost of doing business goes up, it does have an effect on us," Cammack said. "We try to get our members the best possible settlements, but it's a fine line. We also want to make sure the employer stays around."

FULL story at link.

I have to say that if tough times improves relations and co-operation between the white and blue shirts, then it may be the best thing that the bush criminals have done. Sometimes union leaders ore crooks, sometimes the suits are crooks, but a majority of the time they are both trying to achieve the same goals. The animosity between labor and business to me is comparable to the animosity between regular people who are repub or dem. these divisions only help the money people and thus in most strife about these subjects, I always say, follow the money. This usually yields the real criminals in the deal.