CHAPTER 12 – THE WORLD OF WORK Work to Rule/Go Slow
This is a form of industrial action where employees still come to work but refuse to work any overtime or to perform certain tasks until the management agrees to address their issues.
Industrial disputes In groups, research a recent industrial dispute that has been in the news.
• What union and company were involved? • What did the workers want or what was their issue? • What action did the workers take? • What was the company’s position? • Are any of the workers’ or employers’ rights being denied? Share your case study with the class in a short presentation.
RESOLVING DISPUTES
It is important that disputes between employers and employees are sorted out as quickly as possible. If a dispute cannot be resolved between the employer and the trade union, there are organisations outside the workplace that can help.
Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)
The Workplace Relations Commission was established in October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
The main functions of the WRC are:
• To maintain and promote good industrial relations.
• To encourage people to follow employment laws.
• To carry out research on industrial relations. • To give the public information and advice about industrial relations.
The WRC also offer the following services to employers and employees.
Mediation: during this voluntary process, both sides to a dispute agree to work towards a solution with the help of a third party called a Mediation Officer. Mediation is carried out during telephone conferences or face-to-face meetings. When a dispute is resolved, the Mediation Officer records the terms of the resolution in writing and the parties are asked to sign the record.
Conciliation: this voluntary process helps employers and employees to settle disputes that they have not been able to resolve during earlier negotiations. An Industrial Relations Officer of the WRC acts as a chairperson. The majority of conciliation cases are settled, but if no agreement is reached, the case can then be referred to the Labour Court.