May/June 2017
CRITICALLY DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE THREE MAIN PLAYERS, NAMELY, THE STATE,
MANAGEMENT AND THE TRADE UNIONS IN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS (25)
DISCUSS AND DIFFERENTIATE THE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES IN THE FIELD OF LABOUR
RELATIONS (25)
Differentiate between the various perspectives on LR
There are four prominent perspectives that exist on labour relations as outlined below:
1. The Pluralist Perspective
Views the organisation as a combined force of individuals with diverse objectives, values and perspectives
The underlying assumption of this perspective is that individuals within the organisation combine into
various distinct groups with their own interests, objectives and leadership – these groups can either be formal
or informal.
, These groups are competitive in terms of leadership, authority and loyalty
2. The Unitarist Perspective
Views the organisation as an homogeneous group of people with a unified authority structure that has
common values, interests and purpose.
Conflict is regarded as unnecessary and employees are expected to be loyal to their management and
organisations
The underlying assumption is that conflict is undesirable and mainly the result of communication
problems
Trade unions are regarded as unnecessary
3. The Radical Perspective
Gets its roots in traditions related to Marxist thinking
The underlying assumption is that workers are oppressed due to capitalist interests
Trade unions play an important role from this viewpoint as they enhance the power of the working class
4. Corporatism
Seen as an extension of pluralism
The underlying assumption is that business and labour are no longer viewed as interacting on a purely
competitive basis
Conflict and common ground are blended and are seen as mutually gainful
DISCUSS THE VARIOUS TYPES OF STRIKES AND REASONS FOR STRIKES THAT ARE EVIDENT IN
THE LABOUR RELATIONS CONTEXT (25)
Discuss the nature of strikes in SA (5)
"strike" means the partial or complete concerted refusal to work, or the retardation or obstruction of work, by
persons who are or have been employed by the same employer or by different employers, for the purpose of
remedying a grievance or resolving a dispute in respect of any matter of mutual interest between employer and
employee, and every reference to "work" in this definition includes overtime work, whether it is voluntary or
compulsory;
The definition of a strike consists of three elements, namely:
A refusal to work
Concerted or collective action
A specific purpose relating to a matter of mutual interest between the employee and employer
Discuss the various types of strikes that are evident in the labour relations context environment (10)- PAGE
327
Economic – demands related to wages, fringe benefits or any other issues of an economic nature
Grievance – when the trade union does not agree with the way in which management handles day to day
problems
Secondary or Sympathy – workers strike in support of trade union members who are striking in a different
workplace
Solidarity Strike – stoppage of work by employees in sympathy with one or more of their colleagues
General or political strike – a general strike is the worst form and frequently starts from a sympathy strike.
Can lead to a revolution aimed at overthrowing govt.
Wildcat – without warning no negations take place, illegal
Sit in – do not leave premises to stop other from doing their work
So slow
Work stoppage – collective refusal to work
Intermittent strike – employees introduce short stoppages of work each day or during shifts
Strategic strike
Rotating strike
Overtime ban
CRITICALLY DISCUSS THE ROLE OF THE THREE MAIN PLAYERS, NAMELY, THE STATE,
MANAGEMENT AND THE TRADE UNIONS IN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS (25)
DISCUSS AND DIFFERENTIATE THE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES IN THE FIELD OF LABOUR
RELATIONS (25)
Differentiate between the various perspectives on LR
There are four prominent perspectives that exist on labour relations as outlined below:
1. The Pluralist Perspective
Views the organisation as a combined force of individuals with diverse objectives, values and perspectives
The underlying assumption of this perspective is that individuals within the organisation combine into
various distinct groups with their own interests, objectives and leadership – these groups can either be formal
or informal.
, These groups are competitive in terms of leadership, authority and loyalty
2. The Unitarist Perspective
Views the organisation as an homogeneous group of people with a unified authority structure that has
common values, interests and purpose.
Conflict is regarded as unnecessary and employees are expected to be loyal to their management and
organisations
The underlying assumption is that conflict is undesirable and mainly the result of communication
problems
Trade unions are regarded as unnecessary
3. The Radical Perspective
Gets its roots in traditions related to Marxist thinking
The underlying assumption is that workers are oppressed due to capitalist interests
Trade unions play an important role from this viewpoint as they enhance the power of the working class
4. Corporatism
Seen as an extension of pluralism
The underlying assumption is that business and labour are no longer viewed as interacting on a purely
competitive basis
Conflict and common ground are blended and are seen as mutually gainful
DISCUSS THE VARIOUS TYPES OF STRIKES AND REASONS FOR STRIKES THAT ARE EVIDENT IN
THE LABOUR RELATIONS CONTEXT (25)
Discuss the nature of strikes in SA (5)
"strike" means the partial or complete concerted refusal to work, or the retardation or obstruction of work, by
persons who are or have been employed by the same employer or by different employers, for the purpose of
remedying a grievance or resolving a dispute in respect of any matter of mutual interest between employer and
employee, and every reference to "work" in this definition includes overtime work, whether it is voluntary or
compulsory;
The definition of a strike consists of three elements, namely:
A refusal to work
Concerted or collective action
A specific purpose relating to a matter of mutual interest between the employee and employer
Discuss the various types of strikes that are evident in the labour relations context environment (10)- PAGE
327
Economic – demands related to wages, fringe benefits or any other issues of an economic nature
Grievance – when the trade union does not agree with the way in which management handles day to day
problems
Secondary or Sympathy – workers strike in support of trade union members who are striking in a different
workplace
Solidarity Strike – stoppage of work by employees in sympathy with one or more of their colleagues
General or political strike – a general strike is the worst form and frequently starts from a sympathy strike.
Can lead to a revolution aimed at overthrowing govt.
Wildcat – without warning no negations take place, illegal
Sit in – do not leave premises to stop other from doing their work
So slow
Work stoppage – collective refusal to work
Intermittent strike – employees introduce short stoppages of work each day or during shifts
Strategic strike
Rotating strike
Overtime ban
