“An Inside Look At Collective Bargaining”, “National Photographic Laboratories Inc. Presents”, Kodak SP? Brown/Orange Fade, 1978,

“This film does an excellent job of presenting most of the features of collective bargaining within 45 minutes. Representatives of the management of a manufacturing plant and the local union negotiate over the issues of discipline, management rights, a no-strike clause, health insurance, sexual harassment, and a wage differential for skilled workers. Because the film begins after union members rejected the first tentative agreement, nothing is shown of how the parties prepared for bargaining. The film does show other common features of negotiations: the parties meet, discuss the various issues, make concessions and compromises, and eventually reach agreement. Also depicted are constraints imposed by principals, the packaging of issues, and the use of a sidebar conference between the two chief negotiators. A strong point of this film is its extensive coverage of union and management caucuses. The dissension within the union bargaining committee over the importance of the discipline, hospitalization, and wage differential issues illus- trates the intra-group bargaining required to reach an acceptable agreement. The wage differential issue also introduces the subject of local union politics. Management caucuses highlight the different perspectives and information provided by the foreman and the plant manager, the role of the outside chief negotiator in asking questions and problem-solving, and the importance of understanding the pressures and problems of the other side. This film’s coverage and length make it useful for a general undergraduate labor course. The different ways the parties handle the various issues provide many opportunities for discussion and can serve as examples in subsequent lectures. A major drawback to the film, however, is the rather artificial device of the narrator in the role of a janitor. His entrance at key intervals to provide some explanation of events has usually produced laughter, not attention, among undergraduates. Although students generally see the film as interesting and informative, some have found the characters to be “phony” (stereotypes) or dated (by the polyester leisure suits, no doubt). The film would be less appropriate for groups with some experience or knowledge about collective bar- gaining.”