6.5 - Improving employer-employee relations

Question 1

State a method of employee representation.

Answer 1

Trade Unions
Instead of active involvement, the views of employees can also be represented by trade unions and works councils:
A trade union will represent a group of employees and negotiate with the employer on behalf of the employees.
A works council is a committee or group of individuals, including employees and the employer, and regular meetings take place to discuss work-related issues on behalf of all employees.

Question 2

Advantages and disadvantages of employee representation.

Answer 2

Advantages
Employee representation offers managers and leaders to gain an understanding of their employees and issues affecting them.

Disadvantages
Unsuccessful employee representation can lead to strikes and industrial action which affects reputation and productivity.

Question 3

State two ways to improve employee-employer relations

Answer 3

Employee representation

Communication

Question 4

What was the winter discontent?

Answer 4

The Winter of Discontent was the winter at the end of 1978 and the start of 1979. James Callaghan was the Labour Prime Minister at the time.

Trade Unions kept going on strike, demanding and often receiving wage rises of 10-30%.

The Labour Party put a 5% limit on wage increases. Businesses paying more than a 5% increase would face fines or penalties.

After a strike of several months, Ford workers accepted a wage rise of 17% in November 1978.
22nd January 1979

On the 22nd January 1979, one of the largest days of striking happened, with lots of people in the public sector demanding 25% wages rises.

In a modern context, Thatcher is disliked by many people. She banned some strikes and encouraged individual self-sufficiency. The context of 1979 makes some of her policies more comprehensible.\
Thatcher’s Conservative party won the 1979 election.