1. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
CHAPTER 10

2. INTRODUCTION
One model of industrial relations recommends that employers and employees’ unions should work towards developing an harmonious relationship in which both parties respect the rights and role of the other

3. TRADE UNIONS
Workers join unions because they realize that collectively they will be in a position to push for higher wages and better terms of employment
Unions take steps to protect their members’ rights

4. UNION INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYER Improving workers’ terms and condition
Protecting members from
unfair treatment
NATIONAL ISSUES
Recommending protective
legislation for workers
Discussing with government
and employers
current issues
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
Representing members
with grievances
Providing benefits
to members

5. TYPES OF TRADE UNION National and regional unions
recruit members from workers in different companies in the same industry or workers in the same trade or occupations
Example:
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP)

6. TYPES OF TRADE UNION In-house Unions
are formed by workers in a company or organization whereby membership is confined to employees in that particular company
Example:
National Union of Gold Storage Employees

7. TYPES OF TRADE UNION Employers’ Association
In those industries where a well-organized employees’ union exist, the employers are more likely to form an association of their own.
Example:
Malayan Commercial Banks Association (MCBA)

8. THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PROCESS
The process whereby employers and employees negotiate over the terms and conditions of employment.
Before a union can start to negotiate with an employer on behalf of the workers in a company, the union is required by law to gain formal recognition from the employer

9. RECOGNITION
When an employer recognizes a trade union, the employer gives the union certain rights, the most important of which is the right to represent his workers

10. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
As soon as a trade union gets recognition from an employer, it can begin the process of bargaining with that employer to improve the terms and conditions of service of the workers in the company

11. COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
A written agreement between an employer and a trade union relating to terms and conditions of employment
Most agreements include clauses on wages, working hours, holidays, allowances and any other benefits to be given to the workers

12. THE PICKET
Workers who belong to a trade union and who have a trade dispute with their employer have the right to picket at or near their place of work, providing:
They do not obstruct the exits and entrances
They do not intimidate anyone
Their activities are peaceful

13. THE STRIKE Only members of a registered trade union may strike
They must have an unsettled trade dispute with their employer
Political and sympathy strikes are illegal

14. THE STRIKE Types of strikes are generally illegal: General strike
A strike involving wide variety of workers from different industries, as many as possible, initiated for political reasons, aimed at harming the government in power

15. THE STRIKE Wildcard strike
A strike which does not follow the prescribed procedures.
Sympathy strike
A strike by a group of workers who do not have any dispute with their employer but who wish to show their support for another group of workers who are embroiled in a dispute

16. THE STRIKE Sit-down or sit-in strike
A strike where employees enter the workplace but refuse to work

17. SETTLEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Conciliation
a process whereby the Department of Industrial Relations helps to settle disputes between employers and employees
The majority of disputes are settled by using the conciliation machinery

18. SETTLEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Arbitration
The settlement of a dispute between an employer and his employees by a neutral third party
Under the Industrial Relation Act, the Industrial Court is empowered to settle trade disputes