CHAPTER 6

Question 1

Employee Relations

Answer 1

Refers to the total interaction that occurs between an employer and the employee in regard to the establishment of conditions of employment

Question 2

Employer

Answer 2

For legal purposes exercises control over employees, has responsibility for payment of wages and holds the power to dismiss employees

Question 3

Employee

Answer 3

Is a worker under an employer’s control

Question 4

Trade Unions

Answer 4

Organisations formed by employees in an industry, trade or occupation to represent them in efforts to improve wages and the working conditions of their members

Question 5

Employer Associations

Answer 5

Organisations that represent and assist employer groups

Question 6

Log of Claims

Answer 6

A list of demands made by workers against their employees

Question 7

Awards

Answer 7

A legally binding agreement that sets out minimum wages and conditions for a group of employees

Question 8

Collective Bargaining

Answer 8

Involves determining the terms and conditions of employment through direct negotiation between unions and employers

Question 9

Wage Indexation

Answer 9

A process whereby wage increases are given by a tribunal in national wage cases, in line with increases in the cost of living

Question 10

Enterprise Bargaining

Answer 10

The process of directly negotiating wages and employment conditions between employers and employees at the enterprise level

Question 11

Conciliation

Answer 11

Occurs when a third party participates in the resolution of a dispute and attempts to help resolve the differences through discussion

Question 12

Arbitration

Answer 12

Occurs when a ‘judge’ or a panel of ‘judges’ hears both arguments in a dispute in a more formal court-like setting and determines the outcome

Question 13

Collective Enterprise Agreement

Answer 13

A negotiated agreement between an employer and a union or a group of employees

Question 14

Common law individual contract

Answer 14

Covers those employees who are not under any award or collective enterprise agreement

Question 15

Conflict

Answer 15

Refers to disputes, disagreements or dissatisfaction between individuals and groups

Question 16

Strike

Answer 16

Occurs when employees withdraw their labour for a period of time in pursuit of improvements in their employment conditions

Question 17

Lockout

Answer 17

Occurs when employers close the workplace for a period of time as a means of applying pressure to employees during a period of industrial conflict

Question 18

Green Bars

Answer 18

Are bans imposed by trade unions on any development that is considered harmful to the environment or an area of historical significance

Question 19

Protected Industrial Action

Answer 19

Refers to the action taken by either party to a dispute that has been approved by the Fair Work Commission

Question 20

Unprotected Industrial Action

Answer 20

Refers to action that has not been approved by the Fair Work Commission

Question 21

Negotiation

Answer 21

Is a method of resolving disputes whereby discussions between the parties result in a compromise and a formal or informal agreement about a dispute

Question 22

Mediation

Answer 22

Is the confidential discussion of issues in a non-threatening environment, in the presence of a neutral, objective third party

Question 23

Grievance Procedures

Answer 23

Provides an orderly system whereby the employee and employer can resolve matters relating to complaints about wages, hours, working condition or disciplinary action