21702 Industrial Relations

Faculty of Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Postgraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 21720 Human Resource Management OR 21866 Human Resource Management: Concepts and Applications
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject provides an in-depth knowledge of the institutions, processes and forces in Australian industrial relations. The contemporary pressures upon industrial relations and the major legislation affecting the workplace are discussed and analysed. The practical skills required to effectively handle industrial relations are also covered, particularly those relating to grievance procedures, negotiations and advocacy. A number of overseas industrial relations systems are also critically analysed.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

Understand contemporary Australian industrial relations, the forces giving rise to the current structures and processes and how these relate to government and organisational policies
Understand and be able to explain the various methods available in the Australian context for handling industrial relations conflicts and setting employment conditions, rights and obligations
Understand the industrial relations strategic planning process, including issues concerning types of staffing relationships and the role of needed procedures (e.g. grievance procedures).

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject exposes students to the ever increasingly important area of industrial relations. Students learn to appreciate the intricacies of the Australian system, including contemporary issues such as enterprise bargaining; and undertake a comparative analysis of the Australian and overseas industrial relations systems, including a study of the relevant legislation. The subject allows students to gain an insight into the need for comprehensive industrial relations planning processes and thus participants learn strategies that may be executed when certain problems/issues arise in an organisation. By learning practical skills such as negotiation techniques and advocacy, students become equipped to apply their knowledge to conflict situations that may be faced in the workplace.

Teaching and learning strategies

The material for this subject will be presented through lectures, discussion and exercises. Students will develop their industrial relations skills in advocacy and negotiation simulations and their analytical and problem solving skills through their contribution to the analysis of contemporary industrial relations issues.

Content

Overview of the Australian industrial relations system and the pressures for reform
Current and changing form and function of employer and employee organisations
Nature and role of the industrial relations tribunals as well as other relevant regulatory bodies e.g. EEO and OHS
The devolution of industrial relations responsibility and the changing role of management in industrial relations
Key aspects of Federal and State industrial relations legislation
Incidence and causes of industrial conflict and stoppages
Trends in joint consultation at the workplace
Problem solving: analysing a problem and identifying options
Negotiations: the steps, strategies, tactics, limits
Advocacy: process, approach, strategy, research
Management's Strategic Choice.

Assessment

Report (Individual)	50%
Students are required to analyse the industrial relations pressures evident at either an industry or organisational level and develop a comprehensive strategic plan for addressing these issues in the context of specific management goals. Students are required to explain their proposals in the context of changing Australian industrial relations law and approaches. Addresses objectives 1-3.
Negotiation Exercise (Group)	25%
In groups of no more than five, students are required to develop a log of claims for a new enterprise agreement or individual contracts. In addition to negotiating the proposals, background supporting evidence must be provided. Addresses objectives 1-3.
Advocacy Exercise (Individual)	25%
Students are required to individually develop and present an advocacy case before an independent third party arbitrator. Submissions must demonstrate an understanding of the legal and other influences upon industrial relations cases before the Industrial Relations Commissions. Addresses objectives 1-3.

Recommended text(s)

CCH (2003), Australian Master Human Resource Guide 2003, CCH Australia Ltd, Sydney.

Deery, S, Plowman, D., Walsh, J. and Brown, M. (2001), (2nd Ed) Industrial Relations: A Contemporary Analysis, Irwin/McGraw Hill, Sydney.

Indicative references

Alexander, R. and Lewer, J. (1996), Understanding Australian Industrial Relations, Harcourt Brace, Sydney, 4th Edition

Australia Reconstructed, Report of the ACTU/TDC Mission to Western Europe.

Australia at work, ACIRRT, Prentice Hall, Sydney 1999.

Burgess, J. and Macdonald, D. (2003), Developments in Enterprise Bargaining in Australia, Tertiary Press, Croydon Victoria.

Dabscheck, B. (1995), The Struggle for Australian Industrial Relations Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Easson, M. and Shaw, J. (1990), Transforming Industrial Relations, Lloyd Ross Forum, Labour Council of NSW, Plutto Press, Leichardt NSW.

Gardner, M. and Palmer, G. (1997), Employment Relations: Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management in Australia, 2nd Ed, Macmillan, Melbourne.

Holdsworth, W.J, (1983), Advocacy and Negotiation in Industrial Relations, The Law Book Co. Ltd., Sydney.

International Employment Relations Review, Vol 5, No2, 1999 (Concerned with analysis of the Australian Waterfront Dispute)

Keenoy, Tom and Kelly, Di (1996), The Employment Relationship in Australia, Harcourt Brace, Sydney.

Mortimer, D, Leece, P and Morris, R, (eds),(1998)(revised edition), Readings in Contemporary Employment Relations, Harcourt Brace and Company, Sydney, Chapters 28-32

Niland, J. and Spooner, K. (1992), " Structural Change and Industrial Relations : Australia", in Gladestone, A. et al (eds), Labour Relations in a Changing Environment, A publication of the International Industrial Relations Association, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.

Sheldon, P and Thornthwaite, L (1999), (Eds) Employer Associations and Industrial Relations Change: Catalysts or Captives?, Allen and Unwin, Australia.