>> Bad industrial relations is essentially a management failure. Management has one job, which is to keep the organisation operating (pun intended).
It takes two to tango. It is also in the interest of the unions to keep the "enterprise" operating, without which there are no jobs or pay.
Management seek to maximise their value for money. Unions seek job preservation, and maximising members incomes. Both may act with political intent. Either or both may or may not be competent, effective and fair.
There is little to differentiate their behaviours. If disputes are extended, at least one is placing self interest above resolution and agreement.
The Japanese approach used to be (may still be) for both sides to put forward to arbitration what they each regarded as a fair settlement. The outcome would favour that closest to "reasonable and fair".
It would be an interesting speculation to apply this to the doctor and rail disputes - would an independent arbitrator come down in favour of the union or government position?
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