Employer/ employee relations

Question 1

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Question 2

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Question 3

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Question 4

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Question 5

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Question 6

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Question 7

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Question 8

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Question 9

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Question 10

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Question 11

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Question 12

Trade Union

Answer 12

A organised association of workers often in a particular industry

Question 13

Examples of trade union activity

Answer 13

Train strikes July 2022 - pay/job cuts
Teaching strikes January 2023
Post strikes November/December 2022 - pay/changes to terms e.g.weekend working
NHS strikes Late 2022/early 2023 - pay
Boarder force strikes Christmas 2022 - pay
Driving instructor strikes Late 2022 - pay / Covid protection
British Gas Early 2022 - pay / fire & rehire

Question 14

Collective bargaining

Answer 14

negotiation of wages and other conditions of employment with a employer by an organized body of employees (trade union).

Question 15

Benefits of being a part of a trade union

Answer 15

Negotiate better pay.
Negotiate better working conditions.
Negotiate things like more holidays or improved health and safety.
Provide training for new skills.
Give general advice and support.
Gives support with grievances.
Retail discounts.

Question 16

The main functions of a trade union

Answer 16

Protect and improve the real incomes of their members.
Provide or improve job security.
Protect workers against unfair dismissal and other issues relating to employment legislation.
Lobby for better working conditions.
Offer a range of other work-related services including support for people claiming compensation for injuries sustained in a job.

Question 17

Benefits of trade unionism to a employer

Answer 17

Negotiating with trade unions (ideally a single union) saves time and cost rather than dealing with all employees individually.
Employee morale and motivation may be improved if they know that their interests are being protected by a union.
The trade union can be a supportive partner in helping a business undergo significant change.

Question 18

Reasons why trade union membership has decreased

Answer 18

Decline in employment in manufacturing (where union membership is traditionally strong) and an increase in employment in the service sector (e.g. retail) where unions are less well established.
Growth in the number of small firms which tend not to recognise (or need) trade unions.
Significant growth in flexible working (part-time, temporary, seasonal), employees see less need for union protection.
Improved employee involvement in the workplace, this means a lower need for collective bargaining.

Question 19

The impact of the decline in trade union membership on workers

Answer 19

A impact may be that unions now have significantly less power and influence to determine pay and conditions than twenty years ago, although in some industries (postal workers, railway worker, fire fighters, NHS and prison officers) unions are still prepared to exert their “industrial muscle”.

Question 20

Do business need to recognise trade unions?

Answer 20

Under UK law employers must recognise a trade union in pay and employment discussions when a majority of the workforce want to be represented and has voted for it. But there is little evidence that union members secure any significant wage “mark-up” or greater job protection than people in non-union jobs.

Question 21

Disadvantages of trade union membership to a business:

Answer 21

Increase in wages will lead to higher costs for the business.
Will take a while to implement changes.
Less competitive as increase in prices due to wage increase & slower to implement changes.

Question 22

Different types of industrial actions trade unions may take

Answer 22

Strike action (short & all-out)
Work to rule
Go slow
Overtime ban

Question 23

Go slow

Answer 23

This is when workers slow down the speed of their work.

Question 24

Working to rule

Answer 24

This is when employees only carry out the tasks that are outlined in their contract. So many jobs must be done in a company that the contract cannot cover them all.

Question 25

Short strike

Answer 25

A strike is when workers refuse to work. A short strike lasts less than a day

Question 26

All-out strike

Answer 26

Workers on an all-out strike form a ‘picket line’ outside their place of work. This is a protest that draws attention to the workers’ problems with their employer. Strikes damage employers’ profits, future orders and reputations.