The Labor Relations Process 11th edition pg 381-382 A Change in the Medical Insurance Plan: Case Study
1. In your opinion, was management's request to change the insurance carrier (plan) reasonable? Explain your reasoning
2. In your opinion, was it reasonable for employees to oppose the new insurance plan because they perceived the prescription drug benefit would shift substantial new cost to them compared to the existing (old) plan? Explain your reasoning
3. Is it the union's job to represent the views of the majority of its members to management or try to change union members' views to be consistent with management's preferred business strategy?
4. Does the employer have a legal right to implement the change to a new insurace carrier(medical insurance plan) in this case without bargaining with the unioin? Why or why not?