elf in the relationship of the parties to each other and especially to the workers in the plant. A union's basic strength lies in the support of its own membership (Peters, 85-86). Other factors that affect during negotiations are sign language, fringe issues, and negotiable factors.However, the most important tactics take place before the actual negotiations. "Negotiators who approach the bargaining table without sufficient factual ammunition to handle the growing complexities of labor relationsoperate at a distinct disadvantage (Sloane, Witney, 213)." Most larger unions and almost all major corporations today have their own research departments to gather data and conduct surveys. Only if both parties research and establish a framework for negotiations can they successfully obtain results within their range of acceptability. With this in mind, collective bargaining can mature to its desired rationality in the management-labor relationship....
