Chapter 3 : Industrial Relations

Question 1

define industrial relations

Answer 1

refer to the quality of the relations that exist between the managers and employers in an organisation

Question 2

causes of industrial disputes

Answer 2

pay
working hours, holidays, conditions
conflict over tech introduction
redundancies

Question 3

how to promote good industrial relations

Answer 3

good wages
good conditions
building up trust
clear grievance procedure

Question 4

ICTU

Answer 4

body that speaks and acts for all unions in the ROI

Question 5

discuss the procedure that must take place before a strike

Answer 5

1. secret ballot
2. 1 weeks notice
3. inform ICTU

Question 6

under the Unfair Dismisals Act 1977-2007 what dismissals are deemed to be fair

Answer 6

employee was incompetent
conduct was unacceptable
job had become redundant
employee can prove a fair procedure was followed

Question 7

what dismissals are deemed unfair

Answer 7

employer did not follow proper procedures
can’t prove that employee was incompetent
employer engaged in constructive dismissal
race/gender/maternity leave etc

Question 8

what does the employment equality act 1998 say

Answer 8

that it is illegal to discriminate against anyone at work on the basis of 
gender
marital status
family status 
age 
disability
race
sexual orientation 
religious belief
being a traveller

Question 9

legislative ways of dealing with discrimination in the workplace

Answer 9

the workplace relations commission investigates serious cases and provides an arbitration service, for less serious cases the WRC provide a conciliation service

Question 10

what is the industrial relation act 1990

Answer 10

according to this law, disputes must be legitimate, unions must hold a secret ballot, one weeks notice must be given to employer, immunity

Question 11

4 types of unions

Answer 11

general
craft
industrial
white collar

Question 12

3 types of pay claims

Answer 12

cost of living
productivity
relativity claim

Question 13

how to legally form a union

Answer 13

1000 members
18 months notice
lodge 10000 in court

Question 14

define trade dispute

Answer 14

any dispute between employers and workers which is connected to the employment or non employment or the terms of employment of any person

Question 15

explain official strike

Answer 15

this is one which involves workers picketing outside the workplace. they have held a secret ballot, given one week notice and received union approval

Question 16

explain work to rule

Answer 16

where employees do their work as per what is in their contract and nothing else. go slow is when they do their job as per contract but so slow that it infuriates the employer

Question 17

what is discrimmination

Answer 17

treating someone ‘less favourably’

Question 18

primary picketing

Answer 18

according to the industrial relations act 1990 it is lawful for a walker to walk up and down with placards at a place where their employer works as long as the picketing is for peacefully communicating info

Question 19

secondary picketing

Answer 19

the act provides that secondary picketing (picketing of an employer other than the primary employer) is lawful only when it is reasonable to assume that the second employer was acting to frustrate the industrial action directly assisting their employer

Question 20

2 functions of the labour relations commission

Answer 20

rights commissioners can only deal with disputes about unfair dismissal, suspension, maternity leave and disciplinary procedures + conciliation service ( neutral third party assists in resolving differences )

Question 21

constructive dismissal

Answer 21

arise when you the employee terminate our contract of employment, with or without prior notice, due to the conduct of your employer
it is up to the employee to prove that the resignation was justified

Question 22

arbitration

Answer 22

where the settlement of a dispute is sent before a group of independent persons for adjudication, the parties agree in advance that they will agree to the decision.

Question 23

adjudication

Answer 23

a service where the dispute is investigated by the adjudication officer, they hear both sides of the story and then give a written decision in relation to the complaint

Question 24

mediation

Answer 24

the mediation officer investigates the dispute and empowers the parties to negotiate their own agreement on a clear and informed basis. they are free to terminate it at any stage

Question 25

concilliation

Answer 25

a voluntary process where a wro helps both sides to discuss the issue and come to a consensus. it may be terminated at any stage

Question 26

evaluate the small claims procedure

Answer 26

it is inexpensive, fee is 25 which you send to the small claims registrar, you can only use the small claims procedure if your claim is 2000 or less. no solicitor is required and it dosnt deal with cases such as debts, personal injuries.
consumers in ireland can make cross border claims of up to 5000 agaisnts business in other eu countries(except Denmark) through the european small claims procedure