Thomas A Kochan, et al, Healing Togetherthe Labor-Management Partnership at Kaiser Permanente Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Thus, management should be less resistant to partnership and embrace it (Jody 3). The partnership has expanded relations of the labor-management department through the ways I have mentioned above. The workers, as well as committee members of the organization, are happy with the outcome of the partnership as economic losses have reduced with improved efficiency. Lessons learned in the Kaiser Permanente partnership has helped to improve health care delivery. This has been done at a time when the country has a shortfall of nurses and health care providers (Thomas A. K. 3). Should unions be wary of partnership? Unions should not be wary of partnerships as we have seen in the labor-management partnership at KP. Kaiser partnership had covered more than 90,000 employees by 2007 (Thomas K., Robert, Paul 5). This is evidence that the partnership is not just theoretical, but offers real help to the workers that need it. State of the art negotiations was used in three path-breaking agreements to address sensitive issues that are not normally discussed in unions (Amy 7). Different policies continued to be set, which includes work – family relationships. We will write a custom essay sample on Thomas A Kochan, et al, Healing Together:the Labor-Management Partnership at Kaiser Permanente or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The employees were given more time to be with their families i. e. balance between work and home. Introduction to IT equipment in the industry was also addressed and employees given lessons on how to use them and how to incorporate medical records electronically (Jody 3). Why do not governments more actively promote partnership? In the health care industry, power is usually decentralized and doctors have more power in decision making and usually tailor practices in medical care to suit their needs. However, the Kaiser partnership has accomplished many things despite the fact that doctors have more power in making decisions (Amy 7). These changes were however not easy to come across as the doctors, nurses and other health care providers had to feel the need for change for it to occur. Most of the workers had to be highly convinced that a partnership was the best way forward in dealing with their issues. Coming to an agreement on the principles of the partnership was also not easy because everyone had a different opinion on different issues (Amy 7). The government feels that the labor-management unions require strong and progressive leaders who will ensure consistency in the partnership. This is not easily achieved and most unions fail because of it. Another issue is that the union members’ density is declining and this is a big challenge for the leaders and also the government.