Employment Relation Notes

Business Studies

Topic 4

Employment Relations

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• Union
o An organisation, consisting predominantly of employees, the principle activities of which include the negotiation of rates of pay and conditions of employment for its members

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• Industrial Tribunal
  A formal, independent body that assists employers and employees to resolve industrial disputes

Chapter 11 – Background to Employment Relations

11.1 The nature of employment relations

    • Stakeholders in employment relations

        o Employees and Employers

              ▪ Employees arrive at the workplace only with the potential to work. It is the role of the employers to maximise this potential through planning, organising, controlling, directing and motivating employees

        o Unions

              ▪ Peak Union Body – Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)

        o Employee Associations

              ▪ Peak Employer Association – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

              ▪ Aim to defend their members’ interests

              ▪ Includes negotiating with unions, lobbying the government for changes to legislation, informing members of developments in new employment relations and providing advice about how to deal with these changes

        o Government

              ▪ By intervening in employment relations, the government can minimise industrial conflict and achieve important economic and social goals

              ▪ Can influence in THREE main ways:

                    • Can affect general economic conditions, which will influence wage outcomes

                    • Is a major employer

                    • Can make laws to influence employment relations

              ▪ Federal Government

                    • Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC)

                          o Facilitate... [continues]

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