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Suneth - Labour Relations

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7 views17 pages

Suneth - Labour Relations

Uploaded by

suneth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Labour Relations

By
Suneth Jayawardene
Introduction
• Relationship between Management and
Labour unions
• LMR define as how labour union s and
management feel and behave towards
each other

• Industrial relations vs. Labour relations


Industrial relations vs. Labor relations
Feature Industrial Relations Labor Relations
Narrower (focuses on
Scope Broader
unions)
Employers, employees
Employers, unions,
(unionized & non-
Players employees
unionized), unions,
involved (represented by
employer associations,
unions)
government
All aspects of the Relationship between
Focus
employment relationship employers and unions
Human resource
Academic field, policy management
Application
development (unionized
workplaces)
Labour relations Framework
• Employee (Labour union)
• Employer
• Government
Trade Union definition
• Definition : A trade union, also known as a
labor union, is an organization formed by
workers (employees) to collectively
advance their interests in the workplace.
These interests can range from wages and
benefits to working conditions and job
security.
Trade Union Objectives
• Protect Workers' Rights: to ensure that workers are
treated fairly and have their legal rights upheld. This
includes advocating for equal opportunity, preventing
discrimination, and safeguarding employees from unfair
labor practices.
• Improve Working Conditions: Unions strive to create a
safer and healthier work environment for their members.
They negotiate for better working hours, safer work
practices, and benefits like paid leave and healthcare.
• Enhance Economic Security: Unions fight for fairer wages
and benefits for their members. This includes negotiating for
higher wages, better pensions, and improved job security.
Trade Union Objectives…
• Collective Bargaining: One of the key functions of
unions is to represent workers in collective bargaining
with employers. This is where the union negotiates a
contract (called a collective bargaining agreement) that
outlines the terms and conditions of employment, such
as wages, benefits, and grievance procedures.
• Political Advocacy: Trade unions can also lobby for
legislation that benefits workers, such as laws promoting
fair wages, stronger safety standards, and social safety
nets.
Collective bargaining
• Collective bargaining is the process through which a
group of workers, represented by a trade union (labor
union), negotiates with their employer to reach an
agreement on the terms and conditions of their
employment. This agreement is formalized in a
written document called a collective bargaining
agreement (CBA).

• Process of collective bargaining (Preparation /


Discussion / Proposal & Bargaining/ Collective
agreement
Areas of collective bargaining
• Wages and Benefits: This is a central focus, including
base pay, overtime pay, bonuses, health insurance,
retirement plans, vacation time, and other benefits.
• Working Conditions: This encompasses issues like
work hours, scheduling, breaks, safety standards,
training opportunities, and disciplinary procedures.
• Job Security: The union may negotiate for provisions
like seniority rules, layoff procedures, and grievance
procedures to protect workers from unfair treatment.
• Work Rules and Policies: This involves establishing
guidelines for conduct, performance expectations,
dress codes, and other workplace policies.
Types of trade union action

• 1. Negotiation:
• 2. Work Stoppages through strikes, go slow and
work to rule
• 3. Public Pressure Tactics using boycotts,
picketing, rallies and protests
• 4. Legal Actions for Filing Grievances and Unfair
Labor Practice Charges:
• 5. Political Advocacy through Lobbying and
Voter Education and Mobilization
Labor Union Behavior in SL
Can the Labor union fight for employees?
Can labor unions feed employees and their families?
Can you get black-listed as a unionist trouble- maker? How will it affect your career?
Can you take part in trade union action while on contract or probation?
How does the trade union rights differ under different acts?
Should employees avoid going to court if possible?
Labor Union Behavior in SL
Can workers on strike be considered as vacating their post?
Can trade union action be interpreted as beyond legally accepted norms by court?
Are their spies inside trade unions?
Can employers hunt down trade union leaders? How can they do so?
How will the employers react to trade union actions? What will they do first?
What can you do if you are forced to sign documents?
Labor Union Behavior in SL
What happens to employees when they go to court?
Can employers drag the court case?
Do employers go to court knowing they will lose the court case? Why?
Can you work in another organization and still go to court against your previous employer?
What happens to employees if they lose the case?
What happens to employees if they win the case?
Labor Union Behavior in SL
Can employees file court cases for harassment?
Is there a time limit to file a case/ incident?
Are labor officers in the labor department sympathetic towards the employees?
What are the common methods of getting rid of unwanted employees?
Must employees hire the best lawyers?
Can you get crazy amounts of damages by winning court cases?
Final words as an employee
• Always get the best legal advice
• Think about yourself first…do not go with the masses
• Be rational and practical… not emotional
• Get legal advice at the earliest instance
• Try to talk and resolve…find another job…go to court
only as a last resort
• Work through joint council discussions and grievance
handling procedures before going in to union action
• If you are filing action file soon as possible with sound
judgement and expert advise
Final words as a manager
• Think about moral, legal and practical aspects
• Work only through the HR department
• Keep emotions aside
• Use joint councils and grievance handling procedures to avoid union
action disruption as much as possible
• Consistency is key to handle unions
• Talk first but get ready to go to court in person
• Immediately seek advise from employer's federation
• Remember you are dealing with people with feelings… handle carefully
and with Emotional intelligence
• Get the best legal advise.
• Document and build a case from day one
Questions ????????
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