2.7+Employer+Employee+Relationships

= 2.6 Employer/Employee Relationships = authors note to self .. build a brief explanation of each Action.

__KEY WORDS__ : CONFLICT (TYPICAL SOURCES OF..) CONFLICT RESOLUTION ARBITRATION CONCILIATION COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY NEGOTIATION AGREEMENTS (NO STRIKE, SINGLE UNION) TRADE UNIONS (LABOUR UNIONS, CRAFT UNIONS, INDUSTRIAL UNIONS, GENERAL UNIONS) STAFF ASSOCIATIONS EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS INDUSTRIAL ACTION (GO SLOW, WORK TO RULE, OVERTIME BAN, STRIKE) STRIKE (STAY AWAY, PICKET, WALK OUT, SIT DOWN)

Key Issues we looked at :
 * What might cause **conflict**?
 * Most times it is the perception (real or otherwise) of '//exploitation//' and working conditions - however there are numerous ways in which employee's can be exploited.
 * In the UK, which is considered a modern economy - the most frequent (but not 'only') cause of conflict is ' redundancies ' due to downsizing or relocating. This is because there are plenty of strongly enforced laws that ensure things like Health & Safety, minimum wages etc - in support of this there is a free press & open democracy that will highlight breaches and give workers a loud voice. Globalization then works against certain industries as they move out of high-cost locations such as the UK and create redundancies.
 * In El Salvador which is considered a developing economy it is ' levels of pay '. Here the reverse is often true, laws are fewer and less enforced, globalized firms are often attracted to set up by the promise of certain cost cutting measures ( eg low tax, no minimum wage, slack Health & Safety laws etc). Trade Unions can even be outlawed in certain countries.
 * Here is a list of possible causes : Change, Conflict of interests, Different values (cultural clash), External factors, Insufficient resources, Poor communication, Poor performance

From the article in which this photo was published ...: "** US unions join May Day March in El Salvador to reject US privatization push ** A main theme of the march was opposition to a bill before the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly that could lead to the privatization of a broad array of economic sectors, including ports and airports, healthcare, education, and other government services. The Public-Private Partnership Law (Ley de Asocio Público Privado) was written with the assistance of the US Treasury Department under the framework of the US State Department's Partnership for Growth initiative in El Salvador."

http://cispes.org/topcontent/for-immediate-release-us-unions-join-may-day-march-in-el-salvador-to-reject-us-privatization-push


 * How **employees organise** themselves - and even how **employers -**organise themselves
 * The key term here is '__Trade Union__' - workers get organised by forming a Trade Union. A common definition is 'a group of workers - usually from the same firm/industry - who join together and take action on items relating to workers rights'. Trade Unions can be formed for an entire industry eg Union of Automobile Workers represents all workers in the car industry, or in the cases of small to medium sized businesses they can be their own independent Trade Union - sometimes referred to as '//Staff Associations//'. In the latter case they will usually have some kind of support from a central body. The rules differ from country to country but usually workers at small businesses will not organise themselves. This is for various reasons, two of which are (i) it is common for a more democratic, paternalistic style of management to be adopted and therefore workers naturally get more involved in the firm anyway and so exploitation is at a minimum (ii) small business often can not afford the demands made on the bigger firms, these demands could drive the costs up to such an extent that the business is no longer profitable and forced to close - in which case everyone loses.
 * The mirror opposite is '__Employer Associations__' : this is employers uniting to provide advice and legal support for their member in the case of a dispute.


 * The general **dis/advantages** to the different stakeholders of the existence of Trade Unions
 * A part of the topic that students can get lose sight of. It can be an emotional topic and there can be a tendency to 'choose sides' - remember as IB students we must be able to 'analyse' all issues effectively.
 * EMPLOYERS : Disadv : Complying with the demands of the Trade Unions can be costly and disruptive. Frequent negotiations can be time-consuming and take key personnel away from the 'core activities' of the firm. Adv : If the Trade Unions demands are met, the work force will feel more 'comfortable' in the workplace and therefore be more efficient. Workers may feel an improved sense of Job Security (ref. Maslow) and therefore more motivated. The reputation of the firm may be enhanced and therefore recruitment might become easier.
 * EMPLOYEES : Disadv : There is usually a Members Fee involved. The actions of the Trade Union might not resonate with your particular needs. You may gain a bad reputation with your employers and affect your chances of promotion. Adv : You are protected against exploitation and are provided with legal support should you be treated unfairly. You have the opportunity to contribute to a better working environment


 * INDUSTRIAL ACTION : The different action employees and employers might take to support their cause.
 * An important aspect to remember is that a 'Strike' is usually **//a last resort//**. We read about them in the papers etc so it tends to these that are in the public consciousness but before that there are many options chosen and used that don't make the national press.
 * There is a continuum along which exists different Industrial Action possibilities. Students should know the characteristics and specific dis/advantages of the following : Negotiations, Go Slows, Work To Rules, Overtime Bans, A Walk Out, Sit In, Sympathy Strike, Warning Strike, All Out Strike, Picket.
 * Equally Employers have the following strategies at their disposal : Negotiations, Public Relations, Redundancy Threats, Contracts Alterations, Closure, Lock Outs

This is not so much Employees protesting against Employers, rather the community protesting against the government, but i hope you get the idea. Its an interesting story that isn't yet fully resolved - type in key words such as Oceana Gold, La Union, Mining and catch up on the story..

see next section for a analysis of each. CAN'T WORKERS THAT TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION JUST __** BE FIRED **__ - THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM, RIGHT? //__** CASE STUDY: Articles & Videos **__// A google or youtube search will find you numerous examples. Here are some examples.
 * The different ways in the conflict might be resolved. There is no strict rule as to which methods are used when however the further down the Road of Conflict the dispute has traveled the more formal the process will usually need to be.

(1) The __**Teachers Trade Unions**__ are on strike in Wisconsin, USA (May 2011). Fox News guests debate the issue. Various points and counter-points are raised. The two key question I want you to look for are :

[i] Under what ‘slogan’ or ‘idea’ is each side campaigning – indicated in the introductory section of the video [ii] The debate quickly establishes that although pay, pension etc might be at stake in the long term, it is not the short term immediate reason for the strike - what is? media type="youtube" key="mqgpm_lMT9Q" height="315" width="560" ANSWERS : [i] Union : “Rally To Save The American Dream’ & Local Government : “Avoid a Nightmare for the US Economy” [ii] The right to collective bargaining. The local government wants to stop them, as they think this will make the TU’s too strong and then down the road they can make big demands on the State.

(2) A local Case Study: "__**Doctors Strike at Zacamil**__" - current as of May 2012 - edited by a Yr11 group, whose names appear on the credits. Try identify ..... [i] What is the exact cause of the strike, //its an unusual cause//, though would probably fall under the general reason of 'working conditions'? [ii] What is the Employers response - who in this case is the Hospitals Director? [iii] What was the position of the person who has been called in as 'Conciliator'? [iv] What does this Conciliator have to say with regards to 'employee participation'? media type="youtube" key="QxcbgzXw-ko" height="315" width="420" Answers to the questions above (3) **__British Airways__** have a history of staff Industrial Action over the last decade or so. This particular piece is about a strike, Dated May 201, and the Case Study is taken from the bbc website. Try answer the following questions..
 * 1) What is the name of the Union?
 * 2) What is the cause of the original strike?, this latest strike?
 * 3) What evidence is there that the strike is well supported by the membership?
 * 4) How will this evidence of strong support boost the confidence of Unite – and how do they intend to take advantage of it?
 * 5) BA have a different interpretation of the degree of support Unite has, and is urging them to accept the deal previously offered. What was that deal?
 * 6) Industrial Action is legal and participating workers are protected- but only if certain rules are followed. What evidence of a ‘rule’ is there in the Case Study and why might it be in place?

and here, for after you have attempted the questions, are the ANSWERS ............................................................................... __Powerpoints__ and other resources used in the lessons.