2. Industrial Relations
This is the term used to describe the relations between the management of a firm and its employers.

3. 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
Increased bargaining power – one voice as a representative
Having a skilled negotiator on behalf of employees
Greater job security if the union is powerful
4. Higher standard of living for members

4. Causes of Industrial Disputes
Pay disputes
Working conditions
Unfair dismissals
Promotion
Poor industrial relations
Introduction of new technology
Discrimination

5. Action which the employee/employer can 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”

6. Official disputes are ones which have received the approval of workers in a secret ballot and are confirmed by the ICTU. The union must then 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

7. Deciding on the action to take
Token stoppages
Work to rule
A go slow occurs
All out strike
Picketing 3

8. How an industrial relations conflict between employees/employers 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

9. Help from the WRC
4. Agreement of both sides, the matter is taken to the LRC which provides the following conflict resolution services.
Conciliation services Rights Officer Service

10. 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.

11. Industrial Relations Act
There have been a number of changes in relation to Employment Law in Ireland.

12. Amendments
The Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012: This Act reforms the way that wage are set using Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements.

13. The Industrial Relations Act 2015 has been amended, it provides for a system of registered employment agreements and sectoral employment orders.

14. Workplace Relations Act 2015
Workplace Relations Act 2015 reorganises and reforms employment rights structures by establishing the Workplace Relations Commission.

15. Workplace Relations Act 2015 Replaces….
The Labour Relations Commission
Rights Commissioner Service
Equality Tribunal
National Employment Rights Authority.

16. Employment Equality Act 2004
This legislation makes significant amendments to the Employment Equality Act 1998 which prohibits discrimination in a range of employment-related areas.

17. Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination…
Gender
Marital status
Family status
Age
Race
Religious belief
Disability
Sexual orientation
Membership of the Traveller community.

18. The Act also prohibits sexual and other harassment
The Act also prohibits sexual and other harassment. The Equality Act also amends the Equal Status Act 2000 to extend the definition of sexual harassment and shift the burden of proof from the complainant to the respondent.

19. Unfair Dismissals Act 1993
Unfair Dismissals Act 1993 updates unfair dismissals law and amends previous legislation dating from 1977.