The struggle to improve efficiency and cut costs is a constant irritant in labor- management relations.

FORBES: Teaching an airline to fly

It was a scene not often seen in the history of labor-management relations.

FORBES: Meet the Freight Fairy

Mr. DAVID COLE (Center for Automotive Research): It really does represent a fundamental new business model of labor management relations, and I think it recognizes perhaps the most important element of job security is a profitable company over the long term.

NPR: Lower Costs in UAW Contract Seen as Key for GM

United's employee stock ownership plan, or ESOP, which held 55% of the airline, never succeeded in soothing strained relations between labor and management.

FORBES: Work and buy and hold