OB

1. Working Life
Industrial Relations
Prepared by Gillian Feighery, SHS, Tullamore Co. Offaly

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

3. 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

4. Poor Industrial Relations
Disputes and strikes
Loss of pay for employees
Loss of profits for employers
Unhappy workers looking for new jobs

5. Trade Unions
An organisation formed by workers to
protect the interests of their members.

6. Functions of a Trade
Union
Protect the rights of their members
Negotiate wages and salaries
Negotiate work conditions
Represent members at National Pay
Agreements

7. Benefits of joining a
Trade union
Higher standard of living for members-
better wages and conditions
Greater job security if union is powerful
Increased bargaining power, one voice
for all worker
Protection against discrimination or
unfair dismissal

8. Types of Trade Unions
Industrial Unions: members work in the
same industry eg banking (IBOA)
Craft Unions: members belong to a
particular trade and have served an
apprenticeship eg Brick and
Stonelayers Trade union

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

10. Industrial Relations
Disputes
PAY
EXTRA PAY FOR WORK DONE
WORKING CONDITIONS
SAFER WORK AREAS
e.g. CLASS SIZES, HOLIDAYS….

11. DISMISSAL OF WORKERS
ENSURING THAT EMPLOYEES ARE
FAIRLY DISMISSED
REDUNDANCY
WHAT EMPLOYEES ARE LAID OFF FIRST-
LAST IN FIRST OUT (LIFO)
DEMARCATION
ONLY DOING THE WORK ONE IS
EMPLOYED AND QUALIFIED TO DO

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Labour Court:
Functions
Is a court of last resort and final appeal
Investigates disputes that cannot be
settled
Registers employment agreements

15. Conciliation
A 3rd
party/ LRC or mediator brings both
sides of a dispute together and helps
them find a resolution
The proposal of the conciliator is not
binding in industrial relations

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