This Week's Herman Trend Alert Cyberbullying---a Growing Problem

The Herman Trend Alert January 27, 1999 The Future of Labor Unions For years, labor unions have focused on issues like pensions and job security. The workforce is changing. The interests and desires of today's workers are significantly different than those that fueled the organized labor movement. Tomorrow's workers will move even further away from the motivations that were the very foundation of unions. So, what does this say about the future of organized labor? We predict the movement will wane. Unions will have a difficult time adjusting to the new conditions, so their influence and membership will shrink. Unfortunately, some unions will push employers to the wall with their last gasp, desperately struggling to assert themselves. Result: some employers will be forced to negotiate with unions that refuse to shift from adversarial to collaborative relationships. Both parties will lose as companies are forced out of business because they can't compete. Workers will lose, to--temporarily. They'll find other employment quickly, though probably at a reduced income level. These workers may be bitter. Accustomed to an artificially high standard of living, they won't be happy earning less money. Many of them won't understand . . . and may hear negative self-serving messages from disempowered union leadership. WARNING: Expect some workplace violence as workers, feeling cheated, seek some sort of revenge. Anticipate some family difficulties, too. Most workers will do all right; people who have been union members have a resilience that will see them through once they're on their own. Some unions will simply shrink. Others may implode under their own weight. But, there are some interesting alternative possibilities. Unions can provide a guild-like training and placement service for members. They'll have to aggressively add value for their members to hold them when unions no longer negotiate for better jobs or working conditions. Union leadership and staff will have to learn customer [member] service-not something they've been known for in the past. Unions may also become third party administrators of benefit plans. As we move to an era of portable benefits, there could be a bountiful opportunity for unions in the future. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DISCOVER WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON... in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. MOM ALWAYS TAUGHT IT WAS GOOD TO SHARE You have probably subscribed to The Herman Trend Alert for a while now and you know how valuable it is to you. Why not suggest that your friends sign up at http://www.hermantrendalert.com? Join the thousands who subscribe in 87 countries around the globe. Are there particular topics you'd like to see covered? Let us know and we will research "The Future of. . .". And let us know how else we may serve you? E-mail: joyce@hermangroup.com. YOUR EMPLOYEES NEED THEIR LEADERS MORE THAN EVER Help your leaders to excel. Thousands have used our weekly Lessons in Leadership to help their supervisors and managers remember how to hold onto top talent. The 52-week subscription is only $47, a bargain when you think about the savings to your organization in reduced turnover. Quantity discounts available by emailing Carol at carol@hermangroup.com. Order today at: http://www.hermangroup.com/store/subscription_all.html#3. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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