Instructions:
Please review the following videos on the General Motors Strike of 1970. Chart out your observations about this negotiation using the template below. Be sure to try and see the issues from the perspective of each side.
Links to Videos
The 1970 General Motors Strike - Part 1 (Pre-Strike)
The 1970 General Motors Strike - Part 2 (During Strike)
The 1970 General Motors Strike - Part 3 (Settlement)
Key Questions
What was going within General Motors that created the conditions leading up to the strike? (Background)
How many workers were involved in the strike? Affected by the strike?
What were the demands the Union put before GM Management?
What were the factors motivating their demands? (What did they want; and why did they want it?)
What was the material value of the demands? (How much would it have cost GM to give the union what they wanted? )
Were there other non-financial concessions the union wanted from management?
What were the demands or counter demands GM Management made of the union? (What did they want; and why did they want it?)
What was the material value of the demands? (What was the material cost or financial loss to the Union of meeting management's demands?)
Were there other non-financial concessions management wanted from the union?
What was the BATNA for the Union going into each round of the negotiations?
What was the BATNA for management going into each round of the negotiations?
What were the things you heard you believed represented elements of the ZOPA from the Union's position?
What were the things you heard you believed represented elements of the ZOPA from management's position?
Describe the relationship climate around this negotiation based on the pyramid from the lecture on Wednesday.
Describe and post your perspective on how each side felt about the relationship.
Describe the sources of power for the Union.
Describe the sources of power for GM management.
Who were the key negotiators from each side? What was their attitude about the negotiation?
Describe the resolution.
What did each side give up?
What did each side get?
What was the financial value of the deal to the Union? (Gain or loss?)
What was the financial value of the deal to management? (Gain or loss?)
Any other observations to share?