MANAGING LABOUR RELATIONS

Preface
Dear Readers,
Most of the literature available on industrial relations today focus on the legal provisions and solutions based on judicial principles. The solutions and approaches based on people management, practical experience, and human behaviour are scarce. It is not that the experience and knowledge are not available. Some experts and professionals have used and tested principles and solutions based on management principles. However, the experience is not getting shared through writing as expected. One may find a few articles and blogs here and there, but it is not sufficient. An organized and committed effort is still to start on this subject. This book is a sincere effort to share the learnings with professionals, students, and the academic community.
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The current industrial relations situation, the generation dynamics, and the requirements of the readers are critically scanned before the content is prepared. I have tried to cover most of the topics related to industrial relations based on my practical exposure, ideas, thoughts, and visions. The legal framework in brief on industrial relations (IR) is included in the beginning to give a proper understanding and background. The appropriate legal provisions with relevant case laws are included wherever the subject is called for. The crux of the book lies in the chapters related to basics, strategies, and techniques, use of collective bargaining, the role of different stakeholders in IR, preparedness and contingency plan, managing troubled intervals, the real and current challenges faced in the IR environment, and the approaches adopted to solve such problems.   

It all started a year before when my article was published on this topic. The feedback from the readers was highly motivating and encouraging. The subsequent articles have also received encouraging feedback. Many of the fellow professionals have advised me to write a detailed book to help professionals at large. Many forums where I gave presentations on this subject have provided similar feedback. The journey in the preparation of this book took almost a year.  

I came across many stressful situations and issues while dealing with workers and unions. I always wondered and thought there are better ways to handle and be successful. I had the privilege and occasions to interact with expert HR professionals and advocates who deal with industrial law and could come out with workable and amicable solutions for several difficult situations, which further enriched my knowledge and experience. The learnings out of these interactions and expertise are part of this book. 

The contents of the book are sequenced to give an appropriate flow to the readers. The approaches explained are purely based on my experience, thoughts, ideas, and vision and do not represent any company or individuals. The examples used in the book are derived from own experience and interactions with fellow professionals and expert legal advisors in the field. I have tried my best to include many topics that one needs to know in IR to achieve better relations and partner the growth of industry even in the presence of strong unions in the industry. I have specifically tried not to go into the theory and history as this can be found in the available literature.

My family is my inspiration, and they provided all the time which I needed to spend on the preparation of this book. The pictures used in the book are created by my wife Prema Govindaraju. I am fortunate to have them in my life. I am greatly indebted to Mr.MRC Ravi, senior partner, and advocate, ILPM consultants for extending the guidance, reviewing my book and shaping the thoughts in the right direction. The HR Team of Kern-Liebers have extended their support and Mr.Bharath GM, member in the HR team extended his assistance in the preparation of this book wherever I needed. I thank all of them. The Managing Director, Mr.Uwe Georg Fischer, and senior management team have extended their support wherever needed in addition to the inputs on my book. My sincere thanks to all of them. 

The book initially went through many reviews by my professional friends, and their critical feedback and ideas helped me to shape the book appropriately. In particular, Mr.S.Patil, Director, M/s. Spraying Systems, Mr. P.R. Basavaraju, Chairman, NIPM, Karnataka Chapter, Mr.Anthony Joseph Prakash, Managing Director, M/s.Sartorius India, Mr.Shashiprakasha LS, Business Unit Head, M/s.Kern-Liebers India, Mr.Nagaraj DB, Head – Human Resources, M/s.Weir Minerals India, Mr.Shekhar GN, General Manager-Human Resources & IR, M/s. Biesse India, and Mrs.Bhanu Shivakumar, General Manager – Human Resources, M/s.Sutures India. I am indebted to all of them. I am also thankful to Mr.K.Rama Sastry (Mysore) who reviewed and corrected the English language. Some useful articles available on the internet and texts referred to during the process of this book preparation are listed in the reference section.

The efforts of Niruta Publications are commendable in bringing this book to right shape in the best possible time. I am thankful to the Niruta Publications & their team.

I will be delighted and contended if the book is of help to professionals. I will also be happy to receive feedback from the readers for the future improvements. The feedback can be sent to [email protected]. I wish all the readers an exciting and energetic reading.

Govindaraju NS

Contents

1. Preliminary
2. Legal Frame Work for Industrial Relations
3. Collective Bargaining & Settlement Process
4. Basics for Better Industrial Relations
5. Strategies and Techniques for Better Industrial Relations
6. Suit for Injunction as an Employer Strategy
7. External Union Leaders and Industrial Relations
8. Legal Advisors and Industrial Relations
9. Shop floor Managers and Industrial Relations
10. Mediation and Conciliation in Industrial Relations
11. Preparedness and Contingency Plan
12. Managing Troubled Intervals
13. IR Challenges in Multi Union Workplace
14. Labour Disputes and Industrial Relations
15. Contract Labour & Industrial  Relations 176
16. Workforce Models which have averted the Union Formation ​
17. Human Factors & Industrial Relations
18. Disciplinary Procedure and Domestic Enquiry
19. IR Problems & Solutions
20. The Final Thought
21. References
22. First Impressions (The views of first readers of the book)
23.  Appendix