Why Conflicts?

1. Causes and Effects of
IndustrialConflicts
A presentation.

2. 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.

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/emplo
yer 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”

5. 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.
Unofficial disputes
have no ICTU or union approval.
A wildcat or lightning strike
is an unofficial dispute where no advance notice is given to
management

6. Deciding on the
action to take
1) Token stoppages involve employees stopping work for a
short period of time to demonstrate their feeling to
management
2) Work to rule is where employees refuse to undertake
any work outside the terms of their employment
contract
3) A go slow occurs when employees carry out the
minimum amount of work they can get away with
without jeopardising their basic pay
4) All out strike means employees stop working and leave
the premises
5) Picketing involves walking up and down outside the
work place indicating a strike is in process
Feb 2009 – public sector workers in Ireland picketing
outside their employers premises

7. How can an
employer
respond to
strike
Some employers may attempt a lock out to break the
strike. This can occur when an employer locks out or
suspends employees during an industrial dispute. This is
seen as trying to break the strikers morale.
A more reasonable approach is to start negotiating a
settlement with those involved. This may result in talks
between employees unions and employers. If unresolved it
may lead to help from the LRC or failing that the Labour
Court

8. What are the
consequences of
industrial
relations conflict
for a business
Industrial relations conflict can affect the business in the
following way.
1. Reduced productivity, increased costs
2. Loss of profits
3. Damage to public image
4. Difficulty in recruiting & keeping staff
5. Wasted time and energy

9. How an
industrial
relations conflict
between
employees/empl
oyers can be
resolved
 Internal Solutions
 Take the complaint to the union shop steward
 The union shop steward will follow the grievance procedure
agreed with the employer
 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)

10.  Getting Help From the LABOUR COURT
 5.This is seen as the last resort for industrial disputes. It provides
anARBITRATION SERVICE for group conflict resolution.

11. Thanks for the Patience
Have a nice Day.