Industrial Dispute Tribunal
Composition, Role and function of the Industrial Dispute Tribunal.
Composition
The Industrial Dispute Tribunal was conceptualized as an established permanent body for easier access to arbitration, an alternative to industrial action, and as an avenue for economic growth through its dispute settlement and income policy potential. According to George Phillip in his book A-Z of Industrial Relations Practice at the work place “Dispute may be defined as a quarrel between a worker and an employer or between a trade union and employer or between groups of unions and employers, relating to terms and condition of employment”.
Industrial relations had its roots in the industrial revolution which created the modern employment relationship by initiating free labor markets and large-scale industrial organizations with thousands of wage workers. As society wrestled with these massive economic and social changes, labor problems arose. Low wages, long working hours, monotonous and dangerous work, and abusive supervisory practices led to high employee turnover, violent strikes, and the threat of social instability.
In Jamaica 1938 the frustration of the working class which had built up over the years, became explosive. A wave of industrial unrest swept the country, with workers on the waterfront, in the sugar industry, transportation sector and the government service taking industrial action. Between January and June of 1938, there were several outbreaks of disturbances, beginning with a strike by cane cutters on the Serge Island Sugar Estate in St. Thomas. Other riots included the general strikes on the Kingston waterfront on May 21st and the strike by street cleaners on May 23rd. There were also other general strikes by dock and transport workers, municipal employees, as well as food and tobacco workers.
However, one of the major industrial action that took place during this time was the Frome Riot of 1938. This riot had left six dead, fifty wounded and 89 charged with
Composition
The Industrial Dispute Tribunal was conceptualized as an established permanent body for easier access to arbitration, an alternative to industrial action, and as an avenue for economic growth through its dispute settlement and income policy potential. According to George Phillip in his book A-Z of Industrial Relations Practice at the work place “Dispute may be defined as a quarrel between a worker and an employer or between a trade union and employer or between groups of unions and employers, relating to terms and condition of employment”.
Industrial relations had its roots in the industrial revolution which created the modern employment relationship by initiating free labor markets and large-scale industrial organizations with thousands of wage workers. As society wrestled with these massive economic and social changes, labor problems arose. Low wages, long working hours, monotonous and dangerous work, and abusive supervisory practices led to high employee turnover, violent strikes, and the threat of social instability.
In Jamaica 1938 the frustration of the working class which had built up over the years, became explosive. A wave of industrial unrest swept the country, with workers on the waterfront, in the sugar industry, transportation sector and the government service taking industrial action. Between January and June of 1938, there were several outbreaks of disturbances, beginning with a strike by cane cutters on the Serge Island Sugar Estate in St. Thomas. Other riots included the general strikes on the Kingston waterfront on May 21st and the strike by street cleaners on May 23rd. There were also other general strikes by dock and transport workers, municipal employees, as well as food and tobacco workers.
However, one of the major industrial action that took place during this time was the Frome Riot of 1938. This riot had left six dead, fifty wounded and 89 charged with
References: Abbott K.R & Pendlebury N (1993). Business Law Sixth Edition. Green G.D (1991) Industrial Relation third Edition. Grell .E.H.A & Kirkaldy S.G, CD (2007) Summary of Labour Laws, Employment Guide. Kirkaldy G (1998) Industrial Relations Law and Practice in Jamaica. Phillip, G.J, PHD. (1992) A-Z of Industrial Relations Practices at the work place. http://www.moj.gov.jm/laws/statutes http://www.mlss.gov.jm/pub/index.