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Unit 7: Industrial Relations

The PMAS had a poor record since 2005-06. It is learnt that parties to a dispute prefer direct Notes
negotiations (collective bargaining) to conciliation.

Prepare a report file on current industrial relations issues.

Damodar Electric Supply Corporation

he main business of Damodar Electric Supply Corporation is to supply electric
energy to the entire district. The Corporation has a work for, Mazdoors etc.
TGeneral Manager is the Chief Executive, having full authority on all matters of
administration. During the last two years, the Corporation has come into financial
problems due to economic recession. As such, to bring control on the expenses the
General Manager, has issued an unconditional order forbidding supervisory foremen to
authorise over-time work under any circumstances.
One day, a cable-laying workman was working inside a wet manhole, in the marshy area
near a river. About an hour before closing time he realised that he could not finish the
job within the regular working hours. He estimated that the work would be over within
four hours more. The foreman having no authority to grant over-time telephoned the
Section Officer at the Head Office. Section Officer, unwilling to breach the rule, contacted
the Superintendent who in turn asked the Section Officer, to use his discretion. Section
Officer conveyed the same message to the foreman. The Foreman, however, was still
afraid of the consequences of over-time order. He therefore told the cable lay-man to
wrap the cable securely and leave the work, to be finished the next day.
During the night, the river went on flood. Water entered the main-hole by the river-side
and the ‘cabling’ was damaged. The damage to the cable was corrected after many days,
involving a great expenditure.
Questions:
1. Was the Corporation’s over-time policy wrong?

2. Does the ‘Management-by-rule’ restrict the initiative of the staff and suppress
innovativeness?

Self Assessment

Multiple choice questions:
4. Well managed enterprises see supervisors as ........... to labour.
(a) simple (b) parallel
(c) serial (d) critical
5. Quality of Work Life programmes aim is ............
(a) combating worker alienation
(b) integrating workers

(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these

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