Originally from Collective Bargaining: How it Works and Why - 3rd Edition

IN THIS SECTION we consider the important issues of participation and democracy in negotiation on both sides of the table.

Democracy in the Caucus: Union

Most unions tend to make caucus decisions in a democratic fashion, asking the opinions of various team members and often taking votes to determine the team position on a proposal. These discussions are usually spirited, to say the least, and cliques are formed of like-minded individuals. For example, on the issue of employer-provided work uniforms, not all team members are as concerned as Jack Marsh and Sue Kelly, two people who are expected to work in uniform on the maintenance crew and cafeteria staff, respectively. The other five on the committee see themselves as representing clerical and office workers, none of whom work in uniform. When the employer makes a proposal to institute an optical care plan and states that in return the union should drop a number of proposals, including employer-provided uniforms, the team must engage in what we term internal bargaining to determine priorities and positions.

On this issue, Sue Kelly is adamant; this is her issue—this is what her coworkers at the cafeteria elected her to bargain for and she will not be dissuaded. To her, this is a strike issue, and she is willing to do any thing to obtain this benefit. Unless the agreement contains employer provided uniforms, she will oppose it, no matter how beneficial it might otherwise be. In short, she is a destabilizer (DS).