Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject students should be able to describe the main institutional features and key developments in the Australian industrial relations system; extend their knowledge of employee relations via the undirected study of books and articles dealing with theory policy and contemporary issues in this area; draw on their knowledge to critically evaluate proposals to change the Australian system of industrial relations; appreciate the impact of policy programs on workplace employee relations; build on previous knowledge in areas of change and human resource management.
Synopsis Industrial relations systems theory; the environment; the external influences; the role of the parties in an industrial relations system - employees, trade unions, employers, employer associations, government and tribunals; industrial conflict and change; processes of conflict resolution: negotiations/mediations, conciliation and arbitration, collective bargaining and enterprise bargaining. Outcomes: awards, certified agreements, enterprise flexibility agreements. Current issues with special reference to Australia: labour market reforms, decentralisation/deregulation of the industrial relations system.
Assessment Case study (1500 words): 15% + Media portfolio (2500 words): 25% + Class work: 10% + Examination (3 hours): 50%