Labour relations

The current industrial relations framework – the Fair Work Act 2009 – attempts to rebalance the shift of power previously swung in the employers favour by the former system – the Workplace (Work Choices) Relations Amendment Act 2005. When examining the intentions of the Fair Work Act it is important to consider its predecessors. For the majority of the twentieth century Australia’s industrial relations system was one of conciliation and arbitration; until the 1980’s when there was call for a…

Certain state benefits e.g. statutory sick pay available to Ee. Irreducible minimum: The courts have developed various tests to see employee/self employed. Irreducible minimum: A contractual relationship between the Claimants and the Def; Mutuality of obligation; Personal service and control. Dacas V Brook Street Bureau [2004] Mrs Dacas was no longer need as a cleaner in the hostel (own by council) and she sue the council and the agency for a claim in unfair dismissal. Held: She was not employed…

laws and enacted the Bangladesh Labour Act of 2006. Legislative changes included increased union activity and allowing worker committees in EPZs. The Act was next updated in response to the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013. The Bangladesh Labour Act 2013 included changes in union registration, required worker welfare funds and increased attention to occupational safety and health. Although the 2013 Act made some crucial changes, it had several shortcomings. The 2013 Labour Act is discussed in more…

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) has reigned as the primary labor federation to which the overwhelming majority of labor unions in the United States have historically belonged to, but this has not been without frequent contestation. Compare and contrast the AFL and 3 different competing labor organizations that we have discussed in class, including a discussion on leadership, policies, and organizing strategies (such as business unionism vs. social unionism). Use specific examples and cite…

Faced with poor working conditions, unionizing was a way to gain something together. Workers felt the need to protect their common interests; better wages, reasonable hours, safer working conditions, and health benefits for families, and some died trying to change America (Falcon, 2003). Unfortunately, employers often fought back with power and money against the union through lawsuits and legislation, but sometimes with an armed mob of mercenaries (Grabianowski). Interestingly, The Pinkerton…

Walter Gordon Merritt highly favored the “open shop” because he believed it allowed for union members and non-union members the opportunity to be employed. They had the chance if they were non-union members to join the union once employed as well. There was no discrimination against either unionist or non-unionist at “open shops” which was the great thing about them. Merritt believed closed shops “means closing the doors of industry to all but union men and closing transportation and the markets…

pay, workers compensation, unemployment insurance, and minimum wage. Unions play a crucial role in protecting unionized workers safety rights. There are multiple labor laws and regulations that help protect the workers such as the National Labor Relations Act…

The Pros of Labor Unions The right to self-organization is the right of every employee in the workforce, free of any troubles from the employer to form, join or assist in the formation of any legitimate worker's organization or union of his or her own choice. The reason for granting this right is based on the essential unfairness in the bargaining situation between an employer and the employees. As the problem of employment bargaining increases, there is no doubt that the employer has the…

During a union campaign, XYZ are permitted to engage in activities that will not interfere with an employee’s ability to make a free choice in a union election. If threats of reprisal, promises of benefits, or other actions would serve to coerce employees. All management should be extremely watchful about what they tell employees and representatives amid a union sorting out battle. Indeed, even one proclamation that goes too far can put everything else that was said in a more terrible light and…

Negotiations between an employer and employees to determine wages and conditions are referred as collective bargaining. Public employees are usually represented by unions or other labor groups in order to get fair agreements. Collective bargaining is endangered in some states and states such as North Carolina and Virginia even have ban on it. This brings up controversies. Some people believe it is a right to bargain for improvement in their working conditions and wages, some people think that…