What is meant by labor-management partnerships and what challenges do they pose for unions?

Labor-management partnerships are formal initiatives in which workers and union leaders participate in organizational decision making beyond the daily work-related decisions of employee empowerment and collective bargaining. In this model, employees and their union representatives become full partners in running a business. To be successful, union leaders need to develop new skills to effectively guide partnership programs and make wise business decisions. They must continue to fulfill the traditional role of worker representative at the same time be cognizant of the business implications. They must acquire new knowledge and education on business matters and become more innovative and creative in solving workplace problems.