People working in Industrial Relations love to use jargon.
To succeed in this module, you must be able to “speak the language” of IR. This week, we focused on the Glossary of Industrial Relations Terms, moving beyond textbook definitions to understand how these concepts operate in the real world of SIPTU and the Irish workplace.
1. The Core “Power” Terms
Understanding these terms is essential for understanding how unions function:
-
Collective Bargaining: The process of negotiations between unions and employers regarding terms and conditions of employment.
-
Union Density: The percentage of total workers in a specific workplace or industry who are members of a trade union. High density usually equals high bargaining power.
-
Recognition: When an employer formally agrees to negotiate with a specific trade union. Without recognition, a union cannot engage in collective bargaining.
2. Legal and State Frameworks
Ireland’s “Voluntarist” system relies on specific institutions to resolve conflict:
-
WRC (Workplace Relations Commission): The “first stop” for industrial disputes. It provides conciliation services where a neutral third party helps the union and employer reach an agreement.
-
The Labour Court: The “court of last resort” in industrial relations. While its recommendations are generally not legally binding, they carry huge moral and social weight.
-
Industrial Relations Act 1990: The primary piece of legislation that governs strikes and picketing in Ireland.
3. Sector-Wide Agreements
While many negotiations happen locally, some terms are set at a national or sectoral level:
-
JLC (Joint Labour Committee): Bodies used to set minimum pay and conditions in sectors where workers are vulnerable (e.g., contract cleaning or security).
-
ERO (Employment Regulation Order): The legally binding document that results from a JLC, setting out the minimum rates of pay for that sector.
-
SEO (Sectoral Employment Order): A legally binding agreement for an entire economic sector (like Construction) that sets pay, pensions, and sick pay for every worker in that industry.
4. Conflict and Resolution
When negotiations fail, the glossary defines the different types of action:
-
Industrial Action: Any action taken by workers (strikes, work-to-rule, go-slow) to put pressure on an employer.
-
Official Dispute: A dispute that has been formally sanctioned by the union’s National Executive and follows the legal rules of a secret ballot.
-
Peace Clause: A common term in agreements where the union agrees not to take industrial action for the duration of the deal, provided the employer sticks to the terms.
5. Procedural Terms
-
Grievance Procedure: The agreed “internal ladder” for dealing with an individual worker’s complaint.
-
Disciplinary Procedure: The steps an employer must follow if they believe a worker has performed poorly or committed misconduct.
Activity: “The Glossary Challenge”
As you review the full glossary, pick five terms you were previously unfamiliar with. We will dicuss these in our next class.
Full Glossary: https://siptulearn.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/GlossaryofIndustrialRelationsTerms.pdf