International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Nerine Khan
Important to share common issues and common problems, share issues, have discussions and debate
Important role of dispute resolution agencies in a time of economic down-swing
Key Issues Highlighted 1

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
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Judge R Zondo
The importance of looking at the resolution of labour disputes in different jurisdictions
Different jurisdictions to share their experiences
Look at issues to see where we are going wrong and where we would like to be
“Forum shopping” (choosing the forum that you think you might be most successful in)
Key Issues Highlighted 2

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Judge R Zondo
Labour Relations Act of 1995
Provide for an agency where people are well trained in Mediation and Arbitration
Such agency to provide for the expeditious resolution of labour disputes
Key Issues Highlighted 3

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
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Judge R Zondo
• Chirwa case (forum shopping), Constitutional Court found that the High Court did not have jurisdiction and that the dispute should have followed the mechanisms set out in the Labour Relations Act
Other recent cases have tended to uphold the Chirwa finding (Fredericks)
There should be no confusion that could lead to
'forum shopping' (This could take up to 20 years!)
Key Issues Highlighted 4

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Prof Haroon Bhora
(An economist at a lawyers conference)
Unemployment in South Africa, Descriptors &
Determinants
The lens that economists use when trying to understand the labour market
The key labour market challenge is
UNEMPLOYMENT!
South Africa's unemployment rate is more than
5
'developed' world

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
Prof Haroon Bhorat
• The disparity in unemployment rates in terms of race and gender
• 34% of people between 15 & 24 unemployed, youth unemployment is a predictor for the future
• Youth unemployment is a concern globally, but far more pronounced in SA
• Highest growth in unemployment for the more highly educated, are the right graduates being produced?
Key Issues Highlighted 6

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
Prof Haroon Bhorat
• Differentiating between the unemployed and the unemployable
• Legacy of Apartheid Schooling, disadvantage still located within traditional African Schooling
• Possible causes: Output & Employment, Growth,
Wages & Employment, Trade Unions & Bargaining
Councils
• Looking ahead: Pro-Poor Growth? Growth has not been Pro-Poor
Key Issues Highlighted 7

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
Prof Haroon Bhorat
• The gains from growth have not been shared equally, the “Second Economy”
• Dispute resolution systems and processes should be seen within the wider context of the labour market, one of which is the scale of unemployment, this latter factor, especially amongst the 15-24 year old work seekers is a major challenge for dispute resolution
Key Issues Highlighted 8

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Australia
A discussion of the major recent changes in the workplace relations system in Australia & the present
Government ’s legislative programme – including an analysis of likely developments in relation to minimum conditions of employment, bargaining & dispute settlement.
Key Issues Highlighted 9

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
Australia: Justice Geoff Giudice
• A number of major reforms in Industrial Relations systems in Australia in last 15 years
• Previously compulsory Conciliation and Arbitration,
Arbitration now only available in relation to disputes that threaten the economy or an important part of it or which threaten the health and welfare of a significant part of the population
• Protected action may not be taken without a ballot and an order of the Australian Industrial Relations
Commission Key Issues Highlighted 10

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
Australia: Justice Geoff Giudice
• Statutory protection against unfair termination of employment
• Commission can assist Collective Bargaining disputes through Conciliation and Mediation
• “The value of good labour relations cannot be underestimated ”
Key Issues Highlighted 11

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Northern Ireland: Bill Patterson
The state of dispute resolution, collective bargaining trends, effects of the global economic down-swing.
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Impact of the changing nature of work .
Key Issues Highlighted 12

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Northern Ireland: Bill Patterson
Government review of Dispute Resolution
Revised legislation expected 2009-2010
Abolish fixed periods for conciliation
Introduce comprehensive LRA Guidelines
Expand LRA dispute resolution services to a full menu of mediation processes
Key Issues Highlighted 13

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
A specific focus on Alternative Dispute Resolution
Agencies ’ role in educating and promoting workplace best practice and good employment relations
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“Good employment relations are the new competitive advantage ”
Key Issues Highlighted 14

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
ACAS, created by employers and unions coming together, “mutuality of purpose,” completely impartial
Prevent or resolve disputes between employers and their workforces
An organisation for the workplace, not simply an organisation dealing with conflict, encourage people to work together more effectively
Key Issues Highlighted 15

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
How do you balance out employee rights with employer desire for a flexible market?
Key Issues Highlighted 16

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International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
ACAS Aim: “Improve organisations and working life through better employment relations ”
Perceptions of job insecurity fuelled by outsourcing, off-shoring and employment fragmentation
Changing workforce pattern – gender, age, nationality
Changing working patterns (24/7 society)
Growing influence of ICT
Key Issues Highlighted 17

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
Growing income inequalities, concern over vulnerable workers, but minimum wage effective
Emergence of super-unions – UNITE etc
Future Business Challenges: Managing 'Diversity',
Managing continuous change, Making the most of the work-force's potential – 'Human Capital'
Key Issues Highlighted 18

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
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ACAS' role going forward:
Greater focus on ADR
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New code of practice on discipline and grievance
Expansion of pre-claim conciliation
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Greater focus on mediation services
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Boost professionalism of collective conciliation
• “Voluntarism, based on the credibility and professionalism of the dispute resolution agency ”
Key Issues Highlighted 19

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United Kingdom: John Taylor
2000 + “The Age of Resolving Issues and Maintaining
Relationships ” Win-Win
Key Issues Highlighted 20

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
South Africa: Nerine Kahn
The state of dispute resolution, collective bargaining trends, effects of the global economic down-swing.
Impact of the changing nature of work.
A specific focus on the challenges of migrant labour in South Africa
Key Issues Highlighted 21

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Republic of Ireland: Kieran Mulvey & Maurice Cashell
The state of dispute resolution, collective bargaining trends, effects of the global economic down-swing.
Impact of the changing nature of work.
A specific focus on increased diversification of the workforce, including migrant labour.
Key Issues Highlighted 22

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Republic of Ireland: Kieran Mulvey & Maurice Cashell
Rights Commissioner Service: Focus on a nonadversarial, solution seeking approach to resolving labour conflicts
Rights Commissioners are independent of the
Commission and are chosen from a list put forward by trade unions and employers
70% of decisions by Rights Commissioners are made in favour of the claimants
High number of claims by migrant labourers
Key Issues Highlighted 23

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Republic of Ireland: Kieran Mulvey & Maurice Cashell
Labour Relations Commission
Codes of Good Practice
The Irish Social Model 1987-2008: The Irish Process of Social Partnership. (Move from adversarialism to consultation, negotiation, bargaining, problem solving)
Agreement towards 2016 (Traditional agreement to meet the economic crisis)
The Bargaining Agenda-National / Enterprise Level
Key Issues Highlighted 24

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
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Republic of Ireland: Kieran Mulvey & Maurice Cashell
New Migrant Workforce – Ireland
The Challenge of Integration: The concerns of the unions (replacement workers, unrepresented workers); Ensuring Statutory Protection; Access to
Dispute Resolution Services
“Living in difficult times, there are great possibilities for change, we work for people and with people!
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Key Issues Highlighted 25

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Canada: Guy Baron
Supreme Court of Canada decision in British Columbia
Health Services
Constitutional Protection extended to the right to free collective bargaining
Right includes duty to bargain in good faith
Canadian adherence to international agreements (ILO
Conventions) further supports right
Key Issues Highlighted 26

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
Canada: Guy Baron
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service:
Proactive in Building and Rebuilding Relationship
Collective Bargaining: Conciliation/Strike or Arbitration
Grievances; Mediation, Adjudication
The Canada Labour Code: Federal Jurisdiction for the
Proactive Facilitation of Disputes
Key Issues Highlighted 27

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United States of America
The state of dispute resolution, collective bargaining trends, effects of the global economic down-swing.
Impact of the changing nature of work.
A specific focus on developing mediation capacity & skills in ADR Institutions & in Workplaces
Key Issues Highlighted 28

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United States of America
Unionised workforce perceived to be more costly than non-unionised
Intensification of labour-management tension, management and unions negotiating as economic adversaries rather than collaborative problemsolvers
Increase in labour-management tension
Job security becoming key bargaining issue with health care and pensions
Key Issues Highlighted 29

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United States of America
Persistent attitude that accepting mediation in a dispute is a sign of weakness
Lack of labour-relations training at business schools
Fewer labour-relations professionals, lack of experience on both sides
FMCS program, teaching the value and benefits of mediation
Key Issues Highlighted 30

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
United States of America
“Real challenge in conflict management is people choosing how they are going to deal with that conflict!
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“We need to look for ways to accommodate oneanother ”
Need for Relationship Development and Training
Need to keep Renewing Relationships
Key Issues Highlighted 31

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
New Zealand: James Wilson
The state of dispute resolution, collective bargaining trends, effects of the global economic down-swing.
Impact of the changing nature of work.
A specific focus on dispute prevention initiatives & outreach programme; migrant labour & newly introduced arrangements with Pacific Nations.
Key Issues Highlighted 32

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
New Zealand: James Wilson
Employment Relations Act 2000 introduced good faith bargaining and increased union rights
Act's overall objective: “To build productive employment relationships through the promotion of mutual trust and confidence in all aspects of the employment relationship ”
In terms of Act 'Good Faith Obligation' underlies employment relationships.
Employers & employees encouraged to talk & listen
Key Issues Highlighted to each other.
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International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
New Zealand: James Wilson
Focus is on solving problems at earliest stage
Mediation is free, fast and flexible
Bargaining process agreements and mediation are seen as positive
More important than legislation is the willingness of the union and the employer to work constructively together
Key Issues Highlighted 34

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
New Zealand: James Wilson
Mediators need to be involved before bargaining reaches a point of breakdown
Mediators are useful for parties in negotiation
Mediation improves the quality of negotiation
Mediation helps parties get a better understanding of each others positions
“There needs to be a clearer connection between workplace practices and productivity ”
Key Issues Highlighted 35

International Perspectives:
Workplace Dispute Resolution Conference
Cape Town, 22 – 23 October 2008
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Key Issues Highlighted
New Zealand: James Wilson
Emotional commitment is four times as valuable as rational commitment in producing discretionary effort
The search for a high-performing workforce is synonymous with the search for emotional commitment
“What's good for business is good for people, and what's good for people is good for business!
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Key Issues Highlighted 36