lOMoAR cPSD| 42147428
IDRL 215 INTRODUCTION TO
LABOUR UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
, lOMoAR cPSD| 42147428
IDRL 215 Study Guide
Unit 1
Questions:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The state is a neutral party in
labour relations with
no stake in its outcomes.” Why or why not?
States can attempt to shape the values and beliefs of the parties and provide various forms
of support in order to facilitate “positive” labour relations. The state shapes the employment
relation itself, as it is responsible for broader economic and social policies that structure the
economic context within which labour and management interact. The state takes on many
roles, such as a regulative role, employer role, facilitative role, structural role, and
constitutive role. However, the stance that each government takes on labour relations will
change how they fulfill these roles. In the employer role of the govt, they are likely to take
interest in enacting laws and setting policies biased in its favor in the public sector, where a
majority of labor relations occurs.
Identify the key regulative actions the state takes. How do these actions restrict or
expand the scope of the
labour relations system?
The state regulates labour law, employment law, human rights legislation, harassment, pay
and employment equity legislation, health and safety legislation, unjust dismissal law. Labour
laws are those pertaining to the right of workers to join a union and engage in collective
bargaining. Ideally, these laws enable workers to confront their employers as equals and
hence to negotiate decent terms and conditions of work. Employment law legislation has
had limited coverage of union, meaning that the labour force are left to rely on legislated
standards. Human rights legislation covers everybody equally. 10. What are some examples
of the state fulfilling its role to increase the power of workers in labour
relations? What are some examples of it increasing the power of employers?
IDRL 215 INTRODUCTION TO
LABOUR UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
, lOMoAR cPSD| 42147428
IDRL 215 Study Guide
Unit 1
Questions:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The state is a neutral party in
labour relations with
no stake in its outcomes.” Why or why not?
States can attempt to shape the values and beliefs of the parties and provide various forms
of support in order to facilitate “positive” labour relations. The state shapes the employment
relation itself, as it is responsible for broader economic and social policies that structure the
economic context within which labour and management interact. The state takes on many
roles, such as a regulative role, employer role, facilitative role, structural role, and
constitutive role. However, the stance that each government takes on labour relations will
change how they fulfill these roles. In the employer role of the govt, they are likely to take
interest in enacting laws and setting policies biased in its favor in the public sector, where a
majority of labor relations occurs.
Identify the key regulative actions the state takes. How do these actions restrict or
expand the scope of the
labour relations system?
The state regulates labour law, employment law, human rights legislation, harassment, pay
and employment equity legislation, health and safety legislation, unjust dismissal law. Labour
laws are those pertaining to the right of workers to join a union and engage in collective
bargaining. Ideally, these laws enable workers to confront their employers as equals and
hence to negotiate decent terms and conditions of work. Employment law legislation has
had limited coverage of union, meaning that the labour force are left to rely on legislated
standards. Human rights legislation covers everybody equally. 10. What are some examples
of the state fulfilling its role to increase the power of workers in labour
relations? What are some examples of it increasing the power of employers?
