HR or trade unions?
Solving disputes in employment relations
Formal dispute resolution procedures usually exist in large companies
They usually involve several steps:
A dispute is declared in writing and submitted to management
A dispute meeting is held
Third party involvement may occur e.g. ACAS (see below)
If the dispute cannot be resolved at this stage then industrial action (which can be
prepared while a dispute is live) may be launched
Third party involvement may involve: advice, conciliation, mediation, or arbitration
Provided by Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in UK
Conclusions
Conflict is an important aspect of work and includes behaviour that can manifest itself in a
variety of ways
Strikes are one only type of workplace conflict – the incidence of economic strikes has
declined in Western Europe in recent decade
Strike activity has risen again since the GFC and COVID19 – this phenomenon has been
global – still not at levels of 1960s and 1970s, however
The absence of strikes does not necessarily mean ‘good’ industrial relations
Third party mechanisms for resolving conflict exist – advice, mediation, conciliation,
arbitration
Employment Tribunals are a site where workers can seek justice and material compensation
from their employer
Solving disputes in employment relations
Formal dispute resolution procedures usually exist in large companies
They usually involve several steps:
A dispute is declared in writing and submitted to management
A dispute meeting is held
Third party involvement may occur e.g. ACAS (see below)
If the dispute cannot be resolved at this stage then industrial action (which can be
prepared while a dispute is live) may be launched
Third party involvement may involve: advice, conciliation, mediation, or arbitration
Provided by Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) in UK
Conclusions
Conflict is an important aspect of work and includes behaviour that can manifest itself in a
variety of ways
Strikes are one only type of workplace conflict – the incidence of economic strikes has
declined in Western Europe in recent decade
Strike activity has risen again since the GFC and COVID19 – this phenomenon has been
global – still not at levels of 1960s and 1970s, however
The absence of strikes does not necessarily mean ‘good’ industrial relations
Third party mechanisms for resolving conflict exist – advice, mediation, conciliation,
arbitration
Employment Tribunals are a site where workers can seek justice and material compensation
from their employer
