Industrial Relations Expert says "expect more strikes"

Online, June 7, 2010 (Newswire.com) - A summer of discontent could be on the cards for the new Government as it squares up for the inevitable show down with unions. Unrest is developing steadily in anticipation of major public sector job cuts. Andy Cook, Chief Executive of Industrial Relations Experts Marshall-James warns employers that some unions will try to co-ordinate action to bring about as much disruption as possible.

"There is no doubt that some within the Trades Union movement are looking to co-ordinate action with a view to attempting a national strike, particularly in the public and transport sectors" says Cook. This then causes employers a big problem, as it becomes a political issue, rather than anything that can be solved at a local level". As government spending cuts begin to bite into areas such as education, local government and the civil service, there will be serious amounts of industrial action breaking out", continues Cook.

"However, there is no doubt that the landscape of Industrial Relations in the UK is changing and the pace of change is more rapid than some unions care to acknowledge. Employers seem far more willing to tough out Industrial Action, using the courts to overturn strikes wherever possible. It remains to be seen if public sector employers will adopt the same approach. However, the Government may have no choice but to take a tough stance as they won't be able to spend their way out of issues by awarding pay increases. The next few years are going to be very turbulent".

The British Airways situation could well be landmark; a heavily unionised company prepared to stand up to considerable pressure from Unite may provide the lead for other employers, specifically to see if by holding out the strike breaks and if the tough stance will wrestle away power from a group of its employees. Employers may become less frightened by strikes.

There are currently a number of disputes which are ongoing, including:

 British Airways and Unite
 British Telecom and the CWU
 Further and Higher Education Employers and the UCU
 Civil Service and PCS
 Transport for London/Tube Lines and the RMT

It is really important for Employers to be pragmatic when working with unions. However, in some cases, that is not possible and so in those circumstances, Employers must appeal to the hearts and minds of employees if there is any chance of influencing their views when it comes to choosing whether to strike, or not.

Ends

If you would like to speak with Andy Cook for expert commentary on the industrial action announced by the unions in British Airways, British Telecom, Tubelines or the issues surrounding employee relations in the UK, please call Parm Evans on 07501 462045 or email [email protected].

Andy Cook - Biography (Photography available)
Andy Cook has over 10 years experience in senior human resources positions in heavily unionised work places, including the airline and transport industries. He founded and runs Marshall-James, a specialist Employee Relations Advisory firm that works with many large employers from both the public and private sectors. His career has included roles as HR Director at the British Library, Head of Human Resources and Employee Relations with Transport for London and as HR Director, UK and Ireland, with Gate Gourmet. Andy and his team have grown Marshall-James into one of the foremost experts in Industrial and Employee Relations. He continues to advise clients personally as well as speaking at conferences and writing regular articles for both the HR community and the wider business audience and is often called upon as an expert commentator on industrial disputes and HR issues in the press and media.

Notes to Editors
Marshall-James is a specialist Employee Relations Advisory firm based in the UK that specialises in all aspects working with Employers who face issues and challenges with Trade Union Relations and Collective Employee Issues. Marshall-James works with household name employers both inside and outside the UK.