labor relations( unions)

FIST

I . SUMMARY OF FACTS

F .I .S .T ' is about a fictional union , and it is full of intrigue and dirty politics , perhaps more so or perhaps less so than real life union situations . Johnny Kovak is the main character . He sees workers being mistreated at a company he is working for , and experiences mistreatment himself , as well . They are not being paid adequately , and are being punished harshly . The workers struggle against the employer , but it is disorganized and results in a small riot the workers are all summarily

fired . Kovak learns about the Federation of Interstate Truckers (FIST union . He and his friend Abe start working for the union and recruiting new members . Soon they are able to confront the organization with more power , but this only results in the bosses using force . One of the FIST members is soon killed by the company , and Johnny retaliates by getting the union involved with mafia henchmen . The film is mainly about attack tactics and conflict , rather than negotiation and conflict resolution through arbitration . The characters mainly wind up solving their problems through violence . This may not be a realistic depiction of how unions really are . The movie concludes by flashing forwards several decades , with Johnny Kovak now being the president of the corrupt FIST which is involved in bitter struggles with other unions

II . ISSUES 1 Did the organization treat the workers fairly 2 Were arbitration and mediation used effectively between union and management factions 3 How did...