LRM3702
Assignment 6
2024 - DUE 4
November
2024
[Type the document subtitle]
[Pick the date]
[Type the company name]
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Labour Relations in a Changing Environment
LRM3702 Assignment 6 (COMPLETE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS) Semester
2 2024 - DUE 4 November 2024 ;100 % TRUSTED workings, Expert Solved,
Explanations and Solutions
RELATIONS GONE BAD Makelotsomoney is a medium-sized retail company
with a few stores in the rural areas of the Western Cape, including Wellington,
Calendon, Swellendam and Montagu, Bredasdorp and Prince Albert. The
managers of each store meet every Monday via a call to share sales updates
and ideas, as they do not meet physically due to the cost of fuel. The
company upgraded its technology in its stores a few months ago because it
wanted to achieve greater efficiency. Joe, the chief shop steward of the Retail
Workers’ Union (RWU) (which has been recognised for collective bargaining
purposes for a few years) and Frank, an active union member, both based at
the company’s main store in Paarl, have been employed by the company for
many years as packers and general labourers. Both are quite ambitious and,
although it was not their job to operate computer terminals, they slowly taught
themselves how to operate the terminals in the store as they were keen to
improve their skills and educational level. They did so well that after a few
months, they had mastered the computer in the store and were performing the
jobs of computer operators by voluntarily helping out as and when needed, as
the company was short-staffed. They felt that they should receive some
recognition and perhaps some additional remuneration for their efforts and
willingness to learn. Joe then approached the store supervisor and asked that
the company regrade him and Frank upwards as he maintained that they were
now performing work of a higher grade. The store’s supervisor, having been
able to rely on Joe and Frank’s skills, had not himself mastered the terminal.
He feared that Joe and Frank were trying to replace him, so he said he would
look into the matter but, despite numerous reminders to him, he did nothing.
Joe and Frank then approached the factory manager and demanded that he
immediately regrade them upwards as they were now performing the job of
computer operators. He said that he would consider their demand and come
back to them. He was willing to recognise their efforts but was worried about
the cost of doing this. He then spoke to the company’s general manager. His
attitude was that recognition might have been due to Frank and Joe, but that
job grading was a management prerogative. He feared that if they talked to
Joe, as senior shop steward, about job grading, this would set a dangerous
