Sources of Conflict in the Organization

Unfair treatment of workers Unfair dismissal Discrimination

Health related issues The need for protective clothing Poor ventilation Harmful fumes from chemicals

Wages and fringe benefits Nonpayment of allowances Underpayment

Conflict Resolution Strategies & Methods to gain upper-hand in periods of conflict

Trade Union If you are being underpaid and is working in a poor condition, your trade union, if your join one, will lobby on your behalf.

Trade Union Trade union is an organization with members who are usually workers or employees.

Trade Union It looks after their interests at work by doing things like: negotiating agreements with employers on pay and conditions discussing big changes like large scale redundancy discussing members’ concerns with employers going with members to disciplinary and grievance meetings

Types of Trade Union and Employment Associations Craft Unions – Unions in which all members, irrespective of the industry, and follow the same occupation work or practice same craft. E.g Designers Industrial Unions – Union in which all members are employed in the same industry. E.g Oil or bauxite General unions – members are of many trades and employed in

Types of Trade Union and Employment Associations Staff Unions – members are all white collar workers (clerks and office staff) Employers’ Association – unions organized by industry E.g. Jamaica Teachers’ Association

Grievance Procedure A grievance is a complaint of a worker.  A worker will have a complaint when: he is treated unfairly. (e.g. cases of discrimination) his health or safety is threatened  (e.g. chemicals and dust at work etc) there is a violation of the collective agreement or work rules. (e.g. if employers have not abided by the agreement between management and the trade union.)

Grievance Procedure The grievance procedure is a set of steps which employees can use to solve any grievance that may arise. STEP 1  -   The employee discusses the complaint with his or her supervisor.  If the complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with by the supervisor the employee may take the matter further. STEP 2  -   The employee will discuss the matter with the head of department.

Grievance Procedure STEP 3  -   The employee, along with the union delegate, will discuss the matter with top management. This is called negotiation. STEP 4 -    If the grievance still exists, the union official will seek conciliation or mediation from the Ministry of Labour or any independent body, i.e. the friendly intervention of these bodies into the dispute for the purpose of adjusting the differences. Mediator find wasy to continue the negotiation process

Grievance Procedure STEP 5 -   The matter is sent to arbitration, i.e. before the court where the judge will make the final decision.  Therefore both parties; employer and employee must accept the judge’s decision.

Grievance Procedure The grievance procedure is a set of steps which employees can use to solve any grievance that may arise. STEP 1  -   The employee discusses the complaint with his or her supervisor.  If the complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with by the supervisor the employee may take the matter further. STEP 2  -   The employee will discuss the matter with the head of department.

Conflict Resolution Strategies Negotiation - The employee, along with the union delegate, will discuss the matter with top management of the firm Mediation – A neutral third party, that is agreeable to both the union an employers, attempts to find ways to continue the negation process. E.g. The Ministry of Labour Arbitration – The matter is dealt with at the arbitration court. The judge makes the final decision that both parties must adhere to.

Methods of gaining upper-hand during periods of conflict Once negotiations breakdown, the trade union may encourage its members to take industrial actions. Industrial action is a method of putting pressure on the employers, by negatively affecting the level of production, productivity and profitability of the firm

Industrial Actions by Employers Lock outs Scab labour Union busting

Industrial Actions by Employees Go Slow Overtime ban Work-to-rule Picketing Sick out Strike action

Terms Scabs - Workers who go to their work in defiance of a legitimate Wild cat strike – Strike without the trade union’s permission

Question What is strike action seen as the last alternative? Give full details