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Industrial Disputes
Industrial Disputes
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
• The conflict and disputes between employer and
employees on any industrial matter are known as ID.
It is the most active problem in industrial
organizations because it endangers peace in the
industry
“ Any dispute or difference employers and employers,
or between employees and employees or between
employers and employees, which is connected with
the employment, or non employment or the terms of
employment or with the conditions of work of any
person”
-------- ID Act 1947
‘dispute’ characteristics
• There must actually be a difference or dispute
• Could be between employer- employer,
employee-employee or employer-employee
• The dispute must pertain some work related
issue
• Dispute between 1 or 2 workmen and their
employers is not an ID. To be a dispute it must
be raised by a group or class of workmen.
Industrial Disputes
1. WHAT ARE INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
This is the term used to describe the
relations between the management of a
firm and its employers.
• If Industrial relations are good
employees will be well motivated and as a
result morale and productivity will be high.
• If industrial relations are poor employees
will be a lot less motivated and productivity
low with a high labor turnover.
2. What is a trade union?
Is a body representing employee’s views with their employers?
Union members elect a shop steward to represent them in
negotiations with the employers.
Reasons for joining a trade union
1. Increased bargaining power – one voice as a representative
2. Having a skilled negotiator on behalf of employees
3. Greater job security if the union is powerful
4. Higher standard of living for members
3. What causes industrial
disputes?
Pay disputes
Working conditions
Unfair dismissals
Promotion
Poor industrial relations
Introduction to new technology
Discrimination
4. What action can the
employee/employer take in
an industrial conflict?
Getting Legal Approval
Before organising a strike or any other form
of industrial action a trade union must
follow the rules set out in the Industrial
Relations Act 1990. This states that
“a union cannot organise a strike or any
other industrial action without getting
members majority approval”
Official disputes are ones which have received
the approval of workers in a secret ballot and are
confirmed by the ICTU. The union must them decide
the type, the timing of the industrial action.
Internal Solutions
1. Take the complaint to the union shop steward
2. The union shop steward will follow the grievance
procedure agreed with the employer
3. If no union, agreed employees should talk directly to
manager responsible or to the HR manager
Help from the LRC
4. Agreement of both sides, the matter is taken to the
LRC which provides the following conflict resolution
services.
Conciliation services (for group conflict resolution)
Rights Officer Service (for individual conflict
resolution)
Getting Help From the LABOUR COURT
5. This is seen as the last resort for industrial
disputes. It provides an ARBITRATION
SERVICE for group conflict resolution.
6. What is the LRC?
Court of appeal
The labour court hears appeals against recommendations of equality
officers under the Employment Act (1998).
Joint labour committees (JLC) and Employment Regulations Order
The labour court establishes JLC’s & employment regulation orders
following the recommendations of the JLC.
Enforcement
The labour court has inspectors of the Dept of enterprise, trade
and employment; they may begin proceedings on behalf of
employees against employers for poor conditions in the
workplace.