Trade Unions

Industrial Relations

Prepared by Gillian Feighery, SHS, Tullamore Co. Offaly

Industrial RelationsIs the relationship which exists between employers and employees.It is most important that this relationship is good.

Good Industrial Relations Lead To:

Discussions taking place on an ongoing basis

Disputes over wages, working conditions and promotion can be settled without a strike

Poor Industrial RelationsDisputes and strikes

Loss of pay for employees

Loss of profits for employers

Unhappy workers looking for new jobs

Trade UnionsAn organisation formed by workers to protect the interests of their members.

Functions of a Trade UnionProtect the rights of their membersNegotiate wages and salaries Negotiate work conditionsRepresent members at National Pay Agreements

Benefits of joining a Trade union

Higher standard of living for members- better wages and conditionsGreater job security if union is powerfulIncreased bargaining power, one voice for all workerProtection against discrimination or unfair dismissal

Types of Trade UnionsIndustrial Unions: members work in the same industry eg banking (IBOA) or nursing,(INO Irish Nurses Organisation)Craft Unions: members belong to a particular trade and have served an apprenticeship eg Brick and Stonelayers Trade union

Types of Trade UnionsWhite Collar Unions: members are usually professional eg teachers unions ASTI, TUI, INTOGeneral Unions: members come from a variety of occupations eg SIPTU (Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union)

Shop StewardIs the local union representative and is elected by members for a term of 1 to 5 years

Main Duties1.Recruit new members2.Act as a link between members and union headquarters3.Negotiate with an employer on behalf of members

Irish Congress of Trade Unions(ICTU)

Voluntary body made up of members for all trade unions1.It provides one voice for all member unions2.Nominates people to the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission3.Consulted by the government on all matters of national interest eg employment, social welfare, taxation, wages

Irish Business & Employers Confederation (IBEC)

Represents all employers in negotiations with trade unions and the governmentIt gives a voice to members on all aspects of industrial relations.

Industrial Relations Disputes

PAYEXTRA PAY FOR WORK DONE

WORKING CONDITIONSSAFER WORK AREAS e.g. CLASS SIZES, HOLIDAYS….

DISMISSAL OF WORKERSENSURING THAT EMPLOYEES ARE

FAIRLY DISMISSED

REDUNDANCYWHAT EMPLOYEES ARE LAID OFF FIRST-

LAST IN FIRST OUT (LIFO)

DEMARCATIONONLY DOING THE WORK ONE IS

EMPLOYED AND QUALIFIED TO DO

INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY UNIONS

Work to rule: where employees will only do the exact work they were employed to doGo Slow: where employees do their work but do so as slowly as possibleOvertime ban: where employees refuse to do any overtime required by their employerStrike: where workers stop working and place a picket on the employer. If the strike is official it will have the backing of the union and the ICTU

How to Resolve an Industrial Dispute

1. Workers and the supervisor discuss the problem.

2. The shop steward and HRM discuss the problem.

3. A top union official and management discuss the problem.

4. Conciliation: A 3rd party eg Labour Relations Commission, brings both parties together.

5. Arbitration A 3rd party such as the Labour Court is asked to make a decision, which the disputing parties must agree to.

Functions of Labour Relations Commission

Conciliation Service: parties are brought together, and are encouraged to come up with a settlement themselves.Advisory Service: LRC offers advice to employers and employees on Industrial relations matters

It appoints Rights Commissioners. Investigates disputes concerning individual workers or small group of workersIt appoints equality officers. Investigates disputes on issues of equality and discrimination in the workplace.

Labour Court:

FunctionsIs a court of last resort and final appealInvestigates disputes that cannot be

settledRegisters employment agreements

ConciliationA 3rd party/ LRC or mediator brings both sides of a dispute together and helps them find a resolutionThe proposal of the conciliator is not binding in industrial relations

ArbitrationBoth parties to a dispute agree in advance to the decision of a 3rd party.e.g. Labour court.

National Wage AgreementIs a pay agreement between the social partners eg ICTU (workers), IBEC (employers) and the Government. It is binding on all employers and employees in the country.

Local Wage AgreementWhen each employer negotiates with their own employees on pay and conditions.

Equal Opportunities Employer

It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of marital status, gender, family status, religious belief, age, disability. Race, membership of traveller community, sexual orientationThere must be equal pay for men and women

Recap and ReviewIndustrial relationsTrade Unions and Shop StewardICTUIBECCauses of Industrial Relations DisputesIndustrial ActionResolving a DisputeEqual Opportunities