ABSTRACT
Conflict is a normal part of human activity, and disputes are everyday occurrences in public and private spheres. In the workplace, disputes can range from co-workers' short-term personality conflicts over work assignments to long-term union management disagreements about wages, benefits, and hours. The means of resolving disputes can range from informal conversation to lengthy, bitter strikes. Resolving workplace disputes is in the interest of employers, unions, and workers, for it promotes fairness in treatment, organizational legitimacy, and production efficiency (Lewin and Peterson 1988; McCabe 1988; Westin and Feliu 1988).
