This chapter covers internal constraints on pay, as opposed to the external constraints (namely labor law) covered in Chapter 4. Much is said about collective bargaining agreements in unionized settings, and the effect of unions on pay and pay dispersion. From the standpoint of managers, internal and external constraints are nearly identical in that both are sets of rules that must be followed to avoid negative consequences. One difference is that internal constraints are often more amenable to managerial influence; for example, collective bargaining agreements are renegotiated every few years, and management participates. The 3 Cs of compensation constraints are revisited in the context of internal constraints, as are compensation floor and ceilings. Pay compression is discussed, given its prevalence in unionized settings. Diverse preferences in the union membership are addressed in the context of a vote on seniority-based layoffs versus across-the-board temporary wage cuts, i.e., furloughs. Other (non-union) internal constraints are covered, such as those imposed on individual establishments by corporate headquarters, and company-wide design of the benefits package in pay plans.

This chapter covers internal constraints on pay, as opposed to the external constraints (namely labor law) covered in Chapter 4. Much is said about collective bargaining agreements in unionized settings, and the effect of unions on pay and pay dispersion. From the standpoint of managers, internal and external constraints are nearly identical in that both are sets of rules that must be followed to avoid negative consequences. One difference is that internal constraints are often more amenable to managerial influence; for example, collective bargaining agreements are renegotiated every few years, and management participates. The 3 Cs of compensation constraints are revisited in the context of internal constraints, as are compensation floor and ceilings. Pay compression is discussed, given its prevalence in unionized settings. Diverse preferences in the union membership are addressed in the context of a vote on seniority-based layoffs versus across-the-board temporary wage cuts, i.e., furloughs. Other (non-union) internal constraints are covered, such as those imposed on individual establishments by corporate headquarters, and company-wide design of the benefits package in pay plans.