A labor perspective on fair pay: High-performance work at Corning,Inc.

The Corning-American Flint Glass Workers Union (AFGWU) partnership agreement provides a test case for the possibility of a more egalitarian and productive workplace. However, a conflict over fair compensation for high-performance work could become a major barrier to the realization of that promise. A model of fair pay is suggested, proposing that a goal of minimizing the job and pay hierarchy and maximizing the return for employee contributions would facilitate “ethical partnership” and create incentives for high-performance work. Former Shop Steward, Executive Board member, President of AFGWU Local 1000, Corning, New York. (Organizational affiliation given for identification purposes only. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and in no manner, whether written or implied, represent a view that is endorsed or sanctioned by the AFGWU.)