Employee relations

[mc1234]

Just a quick question, how in depth (if at all) do we have to know about the roles of trade unions/employer associations/FWA in employee relations? I was told that we had to have a basic understanding (definition/who they represent), but noticed on the 2013 Compak exam that there was a 4-mark question on the effectiveness of trade unions in the decentralised system. Is it likely or even possible that a question like this would be asked in a VCAA exam?

Thanks!

[Geetee]

For me, i know I'n depth the role of fair work australia... how they replaced the AIRC, make minimum wage order, determine unfair dismissal claims, attempt to resolve disputes... and importantly how they review modern awards every 4 years under the current decentralised system. With trade unions, maybe no a couple of ads and dis of them becoming involved during the establishment of collective agreements.. and no that employees must be informed of there right to be represented by trade unions - also they are organisations formed to represent the rights of workers in a particular industry - and that in recent years they have amalgamated as a number of super unions. This should get you through, i have find with compak exams, they are highly specialised questions, that don't really seem to appear on the end of year exams. Hope this helps

[mc1234]

Yeah that sounds about right, thanks for the help!

[TomMCDozz]

Hi MC1234, I have a few answers for you hopefully they help. Employee relations is the method of framework by which staff, departments, divisions and regions work together and interact with each other. Fairwork Australia is not needed in this situation, after the two practice exams I've done so far there hasn't been anything on it, so it's the best bet it won't be on the exam...so don't study it! 
Hope this helps!!

[KickassAsian]

I am currently doing that Compak Practice Exam too and I have done every question on the practice exam except for this. I just don't know how to approach this question and I am hoping someone would assist me please. 

The question is:
"Evaluate the effectiveness of trade unions in terms of their ability to bring about a resolution to disputes in light of the current state of Australian employee relations."

[Geetee]

The question is:
"Evaluate the effectiveness of trade unions in terms of their ability to bring about a resolution to disputes in light of the current state of Australian employee relations."


How i would tackle this questions is firstly by knowing that trade unions are organisations formed to represent the rights of workers in a particular industry. Effectiveness would refer to how well these trade unions are achieving their stated objectives, trade unions objectives is to establish fair wages and working conditions for workers in the particular industry. Thirdly the current state of australian employee relations is that we operate under a decentralised system, where wages and working conditions are negotiated and established between the employer and employee at the workplace level.. with this information you could answer the question

step 1: define trade unions and explain the current state of australian employee relation
Step 2: advantages of trade unions e.g employees that lack industrial strength or muscle will not be disadvantaged during enterprise bargaining, and how this relates to the objectives of trade unions - also mention something about disputes and how there will be less likely chance of disputes as trade unions will most likely be able to establish agreements for those who lack muscle
Step 3: Disadvantages the involvement of trade unions in establishment of enterprise agreements can be time consuming
Step 4: Evaluate questions need to give your own opinion on weather you believe they are successful under australias current system

Hope this helps