Interest Based Bargaining: Innovating from the Basics
Boniface Michael, Rashmi Michael

Abstract
This paper examines the usefulness of IBB, a relatively recent innovation to collective bargaining, around its ability to result in mutual gains in three areas: the strengthening of the role of unions, economic or bread and butter issues relating to employment terms and conditions and joint employees and employers problem solving on strategic workplace issues. While the research reviewed mostly confirms that IBB results in innovative joint problem solving by employees and employers that support strategic issues; on strengthening of the institution of unions and on economic or bread and butter issues, the usefulness of IBB is contested. On bread and butter economic issues pertaining to terms of employment the view is that IBB results more in concessions for unions. Also, constituents view the quest of common interests by their negotiators suspiciously and so IBB’s intraorganizational bargaining capability is considered limited. Finally, on the issue of strengthening of the role of unions, research is inconclusive.

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