The author notes the shift from regulation to competition in the trucking, telecommunications, and energy industries (natural gas and electricity), and its effect on labor agreements. The author asserts that labor-management relations should be correspondingly restructured into a “new social compact.” The GM-Toyota New United Motors (“NUMMI”) experience is offered as an example.

The effects of the transition of Pacific Gas and Electric from a regulated to a competitive industry, and the participation of its unions – the IBEW and ESC. The historic adversarial arrangement is being replaced with one of consultation and collaboration, using labor-management committees. Issues that have been contentious are bumping and job protection associated …