The UFCW may have made claims about what Muddies can expect as part of collective bargaining, including input in decisions about changes to store operations, store policies, or strategy, but some of these promises cover rights that unions often agree belong exclusively to a company. These powers are retained by a company in a contract clause called “management rights.”
What are management rights?
A “management rights” clause is typically included in UFCW contracts and lists the decisions an employer can make on their own without needing to ask or bargain with the union. These decisions can include:
- Scheduling – Deciding work hours, shifts and productivity expectations
- Operations – Setting performance standards and organizing workflows
- Work Rules – Setting safety, dress code and conduct policies
Downtown Dog Lounge UFCW Contract: Management Rights
The UFCW’s contract with Downtown Dog Lounge in Seattle, states that the company retains the rights to:
- Manage and direct the workforce
- Relieve employees from duty because of lack of work
- Require reasonable overtime
- Establish standards of performance and staffing requirements
- Promulgate rules, regulations and personnel policies
What does this mean for Muddies?
A union contract would not mean that Mud Bay would agree in bargaining to give the UFCW a say over its core business policies and operations.