The security managers role in labor disputes: Before, During and After

            Labor disputes are an unfortunate part of business and as a Security Manager one will have to deal with these issues. In normal circumstances, the employees would be responsible for handling and resolving conventional threats, that is threats from outside the company. Labor disputes on the other hand are threats instigated and driven by people inside the organization. It’s when friend turns foe that the relationship between employer and employee is balanced on the edge of a knife. If not resolved satisfactorily and quickly, these disputes will be detrimental to the company as a whole.

           There are a couple of policies or methods one should use in order to limit the impact of disputes as well as to ensure the swift resolution of any problems. Management has certain responsibilities in terms of labor disputes and they can roughly be divided into three categories, which roughly consist of before, during and after the dispute.

Before

            Preventing labour disputes is definitely one of managements key responsibilities because they can be costly, scar your reputation and damage the trust and working relationship between the employer and its employees. It is thus of the utmost importance to aim to prevent labor disputes.

            Firstly, management should make sure that during training employees understand that labor disputes can have damaging long-term effects not only for the company but also for the employees themselves. Training should ensure that employees don’t let their emotions get the better of them during disputes and that they shouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize their future working relationship.

            Secondly, management should make sure that they have plans in place to deal with labor disputes to ensure that their company is not caught by surprise. The planning process should be open as opposed to secretive. This open planning by management shows strength and union officials will realise that it will be harder to discredit, disrupt or damage you company financially.

Zielinski Security Solutions provide a detailed list of pre-strike planning recommendations:

• ·  List supervisors together with their phone numbers and responsibilities during a strike in order to establish a chain of command.
• ·   Create channels of communication that will be used during the strike whether it is between management or between management and the media and other stakeholders.
• ·  Transportation needs to be arranged as well as the various routes and parking spaces that will be utilized.
• ·   Make sure boundaries are established to make sure that strikers will know where they can and can’t move during a strike.
• ·   Make sure existing security procedures and policies such as fire safety are up to date
• ·  Inform authorities about possible strike actions and ask them for added inspections to your facility as well as assistance during a strike.
• ·  Inform suppliers and clients about the possibility of a strike.

During

            Management has definite responsibilities and tasks to perform in the event that a strike does occur. In terms of legal matters, management has to observe all actions taken by the striking employees and unions in order to determine whether they are conducting themselves legally. Management also has to ensure that their company keep their side clean during the dispute in order to avoid legal action.

            Management should keep a detailed incident log and keep track of non-union workers that don’t come to work and their reasons for being absent. The incident log is extremely important because it can sway public opinion and assist in instances where legal action must be taken. Evidence of misconduct can be critical in persuading the courts to take action and render the strike illegal. Some text advises management to make use of strike observers from a recognized security company due to their experience and expertise. In South Africa, violence and public disorder during a strike is common and are well documented by the media. This ensures that courts frequently issues injunctions in order to avoid damage to public property and the public are generally on the side of the employers especially in cases where public servants strike.

            Most resources also emphasize the importance of communication by management during a strike. Communications consist of informing the various parties and stakeholders about the strike. It also includes the reassurance of concerned parties, reminding people about their responsibilities and gathering reports about the conduct of striking employee’s actions and conduct.

After

            After a dispute, there are certain steps management can take in order to put the issues behind them and to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

            Firstly, on the day that the strike ends, management should review their plans and how well they handled the dispute. A review of the various policies and procedures should be conducted in order to be better prepared for future strikes. What worked? What didn’t work? What should we change? These are the type of questions that management should ask in order to better prepare for future strikes.

            Secondly, management should aim to restore the relationship and trust between employees and the company. Experts on the matter feel that the lingering bitterness between the parties should be resolved and advise that focussing on business usually get everyone back to normal.

JJ Gericke