labour relations
Labour relations are discussed at the meeting between management and union representatives.
- Noun (plural):
- The relationships and interactions between employers, employees, and their representatives (such as trade unions), especially regarding working conditions, wages, and dispute resolution.
- The field of study or practice concerned with managing these relationships, often involving collective bargaining, labour law, and conflict management.
- (The interactions between management and workers are managed well.)
- (The specialist works to resolve conflicts and improve communication between employers and employees.)
- (The rules and practices that control employer-employee interactions are formally defined.)
"labour relations board": a government agency or tribunal that oversees disputes and enforces labour laws.
- The labour relations board ruled in favour of the union's request for safer working conditions. (The official body made a decision about the conflict between the company and workers.)
"labour relations climate": the overall atmosphere or tone of interactions between management and workers.
- A positive labour relations climate can reduce turnover and increase productivity. (The general quality of employer-employee interactions is favourable.)
Industrial relations (n): a synonym often used in contexts involving manufacturing or large-scale industry, focusing on collective bargaining and union-management interactions.
- The course on industrial relations covers topics like wage negotiations and grievance procedures. (The academic subject deals with the same concepts as labour relations.)
Employee relations (n): a narrower term focusing on individual interactions between an employer and employees, rather than collective groups.
- Employee relations policies include performance reviews and personal grievance handling. (The practices deal with individual worker concerns.)
- Industrial relations: the collective relationship between management and workers, especially in large-scale industries.
- Workplace relations: the interactions and dynamics within a work environment.
- Management-union relations: the specific interactions between company leaders and trade unions.
Negotiate with: to discuss terms with workers or unions to reach an agreement.
- The company must negotiate with the union over the new contract. (They must discuss and bargain with the workers' representatives.)
Arbitrate between: to act as a neutral third party to resolve a dispute between employers and employees.
- A mediator was called to arbitrate between the factory owners and the striking workers. (The mediator helps settle the disagreement.)
Come to the bargaining table: to begin formal negotiations between employers and workers.
- After months of protests, both sides finally came to the bargaining table. (They started official discussions to resolve the conflict.)
Work to rule: to follow workplace regulations exactly, often as a form of protest, without doing any extra tasks.
- The employees decided to work to rule to pressure management to improve safety conditions. (They performed only the minimum required duties as a protest.)