UNDERSTANDING

LABOUR RELATIONS
&
HEALTH AND
SAFETY
 Objectives of Labour relation

• To protect the interest of workers and management

through mutual understanding and relationship
• To avoid industrial disputes so as to develop a healthy
work environment
• To improve quality of work life of workers
• To increase performance through reducing labour
turnover and frequent absenteeism
• To provide constructive criticism of the management.
• To protect the workers against harmful effect on heir
health, safety through enactment of different legislation.

In the broader perspective, labour laws aim at

maintaining social equity, International uniformity,
and help in advancing the economic growth of the
country.
 Phases of
Labor Relations

Union organizing

Collective bargaining

Grievance Management
 Union:
Organization of workers, acting collectively,
seeking to protect and promote their mutual
interest through collective bargaining.
OR
Organization formed for purpose of
representing members’ interests in dealing
with employers
 Unions Defined

 Organization of workers
 Acting collectively
 Seeking mutual interest
– Protection
– Promotion
 Through collective bargaining
Why Employee Join Union
Why Employee Join Union

o Higher wages and Benefits.

o Greater Job Security.
o Influence over Work Rules.
o Compulsory Membership.
o Upsets with management.
Union Organizing process

Unorganized

NO
Authorization card campaign :did union get & or more

NO
Petition NLRB for election: Are authorization cards in order
No union vote for
one year
NO
Vote taken: Did union receive a majority vote

Certification Bargaining Unit

 Authorization Card
A card signed by prospective union members
indicating that they are interested in having a
union election held at their work site.
Representative Certification (RC)
The election process whereby union members
vote IN a union as their representative.

Representative decertification (RD)

The election process whereby union members
vote OUT a union as their representative.
 Collective
Bargaining
Collective Bargaining

The negotiation, administration, and

interpretation of a written agreement
between two parties, at least one of
which represents a group that is acting
collectively, that covers a specific
period of time
 Collective
Bargaining
Steps or
Process
 Preparation for
negotiation

Contract
negotiation

No
Agreement

Yes

No
Union Ratification

Yes

Contract
administration
 Failure
to reach
Agreement
 Some Important Terms
• Complaint
– Indication of employee dissatisfaction
• Grievance
– A complaint formally stated in writing
• Grievance Procedures
– Formal channels used to resolve grievances.
• Grievance Arbitration
– The means by which a third party settles
disputes arising from different interpretations
of a labor contract.
 Employee communication
• One of the most effective way used for
employee communication is Employee
Handbook that serves as a permanent
reference guide
– Employee handbook is a booklet describing
important aspects of employment an
employee needs to know
 Health and Safety
• Health
– A general state of physical, mental and
emotional well being
• Safety & Security
– Condition in which the physical well being of
people is protected
– Protection of employers and organizational
facilities
 Responsibilities
regarding
Health and Safety
 Responsibilities and Rights of
Employers
• Responsibilities of • Rights of
Employers Employers
• Compliance with acts • Seek advice and
and regulations consultation
• Provision of a hazard
free workplace
• Recording and
reporting
• Safety training
• Due diligence
 Duties of workers
• Comply with acts and regulations
• Report hazards
• Follow employer H & S rules
• Right to refuse unsafe work
• Responsible for their own safety.
• Responsible for the safety of others who may be
affected by their work.
• Co-operate with their employer in matters relating to
health & safety.