The Changing Face of Employee / Employer Relations in the UK

The state of employee / employer relations in the UK was highlighted by the recent industrial dispute at the Grangemouth oil refinery. The Unite trade union was forced to back down in a dispute over pay and conditions. If the Grangemouth dispute is typical, then it looks like the balance of power between unions and employers has shifted decisively towards the employer.This excellent FT video looks at how Britain's trade unions are having to adapt to a changing labour market structure and employee enthusiasm for joining a trade union.Employers don't have it all their own way, however. For example, the growing use of outsourcing has meant that employers have to pay much more attention to potential industrial disputes throughout their supply chain rather than just with their own employees.