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) or nursing,(INO Irish Nurses Organisation)
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. Shop Steward
Is the local union representative and is elected by members for a term of 1 to 5 years
Main Duties
Recruit new members
Act as a link between members and union headquarters
Negotiate with an employer on behalf of members

11. Irish Congress of Trade Unions(ICTU)
Voluntary body made up of members for all trade unions
It provides one voice for all member unions
Nominates people to the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission
Consulted by the government on all matters of national interest eg employment, social welfare, taxation, wages

12. Irish Business & Employers Confederation (IBEC)
Represents all employers in negotiations with trade unions and the government
It gives a voice to members on all aspects of industrial relations.

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

14. 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

15. INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY UNIONS
Work to rule: where employees will only do the exact work they were employed to do
Go Slow: where employees do their work but do so as slowly as possible
Overtime ban: where employees refuse to do any overtime required by their employer
Strike: where workers stop working and place a picket on the employer. If the strike is official it will have the backing of the union and the ICTU

16. How to Resolve an Industrial Dispute
Workers and the supervisor discuss the problem.
The shop steward and HRM discuss the problem.
A top union official and management discuss the problem.

17. 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.

18. Functions of Labour Relations Commission
Conciliation Service: parties are brought together, and are encouraged to come up with a settlement themselves.
Advisory Service: LRC offers advice to employers and employees on Industrial relations matters

19. It appoints Rights Commissioners
It appoints Rights Commissioners. Investigates disputes concerning individual workers or small group of workers
It appoints equality officers. Investigates disputes on issues of equality and discrimination in the workplace.

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

21. 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

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

23. National Wage Agreement
Is a pay agreement between the social partners eg ICTU (workers), IBEC (employers) and the Government.
It is binding on all employers and employees in the country.

24. Local Wage Agreement
When each employer negotiates with their own employees on pay and conditions.

25. Equal Opportunities Employer
It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of marital status, gender, family status, religious belief, age, disability. Race, membership of traveller community, sexual orientation
There must be equal pay for men and women

26. Recap and Review Industrial relations Trade Unions and Shop Steward
ICTU
IBEC
Causes of Industrial Relations Disputes
Industrial Action
Resolving a Dispute
Equal Opportunities