Explain any three weapons that can be used by a trade union and any two weapons that can be used by an Employers’ Association during a trade dispute.
Explanation
(a)Weapons that can be used by a trade union during a trade dispute are:
(i) Collective bargaining: Representatives of the union and employers will meet to deliberate on issues affecting the workers.
(ii) Work to rule: The rate of work will be slowed down by the workers.
(iii) Picket lines: The workers will stay at the entrance of the factory and will not work.
(iv) Strike: The workers will stay away completely from work. This is the ultimate weapon.
(v) Threat to strike: The workers union gives ultimatum to the employer that they will embark on strike if their demands are not met on time.
(b) Weapons that can be employed by an Employers' Association include:
(i) Collective bargaining: Both parties will meet to discuss the workers' demand.
(ii) Strike breakers: The employer will use some workers to operate the plant during the period of strike.
(iii) Black list: All workers that participate in strike action will be dismissed.
(iv) Lock-out: This is the closing down of the factory until the dispute is resolved.