Decline in strike activity - 2475 Words

Decline in strike activity (Essay Sample) Content: Decline in Strike Activities Name: Course: Professor Name: (January 10, 2014) Decline in Strike Activities Strikes are characterized by temporarily halting work in enforcing a particular demand or in expressing grievances. Strike activities have been declining with time in the Europe and also in the United States, and few employees are joining trade unions as compared to earlier decades. Surveys indicated that strike activity is characterized with the numerical measure of the activities related with strikes. In the Ireland, strike activity data are gathered by the Central Statistic Office and the Department of Enterprise and Employment Monitoring Unit. Different jurisdictions have bodies that gather data relating to strike activities. It has been noted that the strike activities are characterized with workers involved in strikes, the overall number of strikes in a particular period and on the number of days that are lost as a result of the s trike. Reduction in strike activities does not necessarily indicate that the conflict between employers and employees are no longer in place, it depends on context. Measure of workers involved in the strike activity is critical in defining the trends and impact of the strikes to either diminishing or increasing (Reid, 2005: 302). In most surveys, it has been noted that strikes lasting for only a day are not included in the computations of the strike activities, a model that affects the accuracy of the data compiled. In most cases, strikes are considered if they last for at least ten days. Record keeping depends on the trade unions, employers and other stakeholders in reporting the strikes to the relevant authorities (Fletcher, 2012: 110). There are chances that some strikes that happen in Europe and in the United States go unreported, hence not counted. Analyst of the strike activity argues that organizations of the twenty first century value the contributions of the human capit al to the organization (Berman et al, 2012: 299). Some organizations support the argument that human capital is one of the most important resources within the firm. The majority of organizations are sensitive on human capital and make sure that employees are motivated and valued, which is part of building a competitive edge. The improved relationship between employees and the employers is ever increasing, hence alleviating conflicts that result to strike activities (Reid, 2005: 54). Most strikes are related to pay issues, many governments have formulated policies that foster a level playground for employees and employers, a model that reduces days lost through strikes and in reducing the overall number of strikes (Kelly it recorded the lowest union membership in the history (Kelly it is argued that changing labour legislations, changing employment composition and changing macroeconomic conditions explain on reducing strike activities. Employers over centuries have been resisting t rade unions, leading to incentives discouraging employees in joining trade unions. Decline in the trade union membership is attached to shift in prices, shift in unemployment and changes in wages (Dray, 2011: 555). It is also argued that shifting from manufacturing sectors to private sector services in many ways discouraged employees from joining trade unions, a factor that contributed to the weaknesses of the trade unions. In the 1970s, an average of one point six million workers took part in the strike activities. In 1980s, there were roughly one million workers taking part in strike activities and in the 1990s, there were less than eight hundred workers involved in the strike activities in the United Kingdom (Fernie a model that led to reduced bargaining powers on trade unions (Fernie & Metcalf, 2005: 145). The reforms affected productivity in technological change and in manufacturing. Globalization and socialization resulted to changing business trends in service industry tak ing shape with time. In 1980s and ...