3-Industrial Relations Flashcards
5 reasons whys good industrial relations is important
Motivation:happier and willing to work harder
Intrepeneurship:employees put in extra effort by making suggestions
Retention:employees more likely to stay longer which saves business money
Delegate:employer trusts employee with tasks
Goodwill:employers and employees talk out problems(less chance of strike)
3 non-legislative methods of solving consumer conflict
Negotiation
Conciliation
Arbitration
Negotiation
bargaining to reach a mutually acceptable solution
discuss
employee may be represented by trade union
each side tries to explain side of the issue
try reach compromise
deal is called collective agreement-not legally binding
Conciliation
two parties ask independent outsider (conciliator)to help reach a mutually acceptable solution
facilitator-offers guidance and advice
they can only suggest-no power to enforce
Arbitration
two parties ask independent outsider (arbitrator) to investigate and make a ruling
listens and makes judgement
binding arbitration-agreed in advance
What is a trade union?
an interest group which represents the views of the employee
annual subscription for members
e.g. INMO (irish nurses and midwives association)
Functions of trade union
better pay and working conditions-negotiates on behalf of member
represents employee in disputes
protects its members interests-fights for them to keep their job or best redundancy package
What is a shop steward?
a spokesperson represented by employees as their official union representative in the workplace
functions of a shop steward
Recruit members
Represent members in talks with management
Informs union head office of demands
Keep members up to date on information from union head office
What is the ICTU?
The irish congress of trade unions represents almost all trade unions in ireland
Functions of ICTU
Provides training for unions
Settles disputes between unions
Promotes cause of trade unions
Give permission for all out strikes
5 legislative methods of solving industrial relation conflicts
Industrial Relations Act 1990 Workplace Relations Commission Labour Court Unfair Dismissals Act 2007 Employment Equality Act 1998
4 legitimate trade disputes
refusal to recognise union
pay and work conditions
discrimination
dismissal/suspension of an employee
2 illegal trade disputes
political issues:protesting against government,cannot leave work to do it
disagreement between management and employees on how business should be run e.g. pricing policy
secret ballot
need a majority vote to go on strike must give employer's one week notice must be private notecard with yes or no into sealed ballot box prevents intimidation
primary picketing
employees protesting outside their employer’s business premises by walking around outside it
public sympathy,get attention,persuade customers not to use business
must be peaceful
secondary picketing
employees protest outside another employer’s business
only legal if other employer is helping their employer break their strike
e.g. tesco sending cashiers over to dunnes while dunes cashiers are on strike-dunnes workers can protest outside tesco
immunity (industrial relations act 1990)
cannot be sued by employer for damages caused by strike and peaceful picketing-once secret ballet and one week’s notice
evaluation of the industrial relations act 1990
1) can put pressure on employer to get their way.can protest outside other employers business who may be trying to frustrate strike.
2) secret ballot prevents being bullied into going on strike
3) immune from arrest and prosecution,provided secret ballot and one week’s notice given
What is the Labour Court?
established to provide a free service for solving industrial relations problems.Hears both sides and issues a recommendation
court of last resort-only when all other efforts failed
recommendations not legally binding
Labour Court function (investigates)
what could not be solved by WRC.
Holds formal hearing where each side presents their submission.
Issues a recommendation.
free and expert service that resolves disputes that couldn’t be solved elsewhere
Labour Court (appeals)
hears appeals against recommendation made by Equality Officer
considers matter again-legally binding judgement
good job in dealing with workplace discrimination
Labour Court (Register collective agreements)
registers collective agreements made between employers and employees
makes them legally binding
confidence of knowing agreement cannot be broken
Labour court (JLC)
Joint Labour Committees
consists of representatives of employers and employees in a particular industry sector e.g. hairdresser
discuss and agree terms and conditions to apply to specified workers
maintains good industrial relations
