Chapter 1

Concepts and Perspectives

Employment Relations

Relationship- between managers &

employees- among people at workplaceexists in all organisations

(unionised or un-unionised)

Industrial Relations

• More legalistic

• Subset of employment relations

• Involves management and unions

Dunlop’s Model

• Workers & union

• Management & representatives

• Government & agencies

• Relationship linked by:

- ideology

- common

- objectives

Tripartism in SingaporeCharacteristics

• Strong communication network

• Dominance of government

• Strong union movement

• Symbiotic: government & union

• Non-adversarial problem-solving

Developing Good ERSeveral phases

• Antagonistic: rejection & blockage

• Adversarial: confront & compete

• Mutually tolerant: passive, reactive

• Cooperative: acceptance & teamwork

• Creative: proactive, innovative

Maintain Good ERStructure

• Law and procedures• Role of government, union and management• Shared values

Singapore’s

National Shared Values• Nation before community, society above self

• Family as the basic unit of society

• Community support and respect for individual

• Consensus not conflict

• Racial and religious harmony

Good ER:Overcoming obstacles

• Management commitment• Attitude of managers• Importance of supervisor• Union leader• Workers’ attitude

Fostering Good ER

• Labour management committee

• QC circles

• Shop-floor discussion

• Newsletter

• Grievance handling

• Suggestion scheme

• Recreation committee

• Safety committee

• Productivity sharing

Example: Tripartism

2003 SARS outbreak

–Affected many companies

–Tripartite Guidelines: affected employees given special leave during house quarantine