1. Concepts and Perspectives
Chapter 1
Concepts and Perspectives

2. Employment Relations Relationship between managers & employees
among people at workplace
exists in all organisations (unionised or un-unionised)

3. Industrial Relations More legalistic Subset of employment relations
Involves management and unions

4. Dunlop’s Model Workers & union Management & representatives
Government & agencies
Relationship linked by:
- ideology
- common
- objectives

5. Tripartism in Singapore Characteristics
Strong communication network
Dominance of government
Strong union movement
Symbiotic: government & union
Non-adversarial problem-solving

6. Developing Good ER Several phases
Antagonistic: rejection & blockage
Adversarial: confront & compete
Mutually tolerant: passive, reactive
Cooperative: acceptance & teamwork
Creative: proactive, innovative

7. Maintain Good ER Structure
Law and procedures
Role of government, union and management
Shared values

8. Singapore’s National Shared Values
Nation before community, society above self
Family as the basic unit of society
Community support and respect for individual
Consensus not conflict
Racial and religious harmony

9. Good ER: Overcoming obstacles
Management commitment
Attitude of managers
Importance of supervisor
Union leader
Workers’ attitude

10. Fostering Good ER Labour management committee QC circles
Shop-floor discussion
Newsletter
Grievance handling
Suggestion scheme
Recreation committee
Safety committee
Productivity sharing

11. Example: Tripartism Affected many companies
2003 SARS outbreak
Affected many companies
Tripartite Guidelines: affected employees given special leave during house quarantine