Industrial Relations Flashcards
What is a trade union
An interest group which represents employees views in a dispute e.g. Teacher
What are the functions of a trade union
Fight for better pay/conditions
Represent employees in a dispute
Fights to protect its members interests
Use strength to fight to keep jobs
Causes of an industrial dispute
Low pay
Poor conditions
Redundancies
Promotions
Importance on good industrial relations
Happy employee works harder
When intrapreneurship is encouraged = extra effort
Less staff turn over
Trust and delegate to employees = empowerment
Some non legislative methods of solving industrial relations conflicts
Negotiation: bargaining process to try reach mutually acceptable solution, employees sit down for direct discussions,
Shop steward represents employee, HR manager represents employer
Both agree: collective agreement
What is a shop steward?
Union members elect colleague to represent them
What are the functions of a shop steward
They recruit new members to the union
They represent members in negotiations
They keep members up to date w info
Inform union heads of members concerns
ICTU
an interest group which represents all trade unions
Lots of power
Gives permission for all out strikes
Settles disputes between unions (TUI ASTI)
Training to unions
Promote trade unions and gain support
Aims of WRC
promote better industrial relations and solve trade disputes
Functions of WRC
Conciliation service
advisory service
Draws up codes of practice (leads to better relations)
Researches IR developments and identifies future problems
Rights commissioners
