Context and Concepts in Contemporary Collective Employment Relations

The practice of employment relations is inevitably shaped by the political, economic and social context. The nature and conduct of employment relations within developed economies has changed radically over the past five decades. We have witnessed the decline in trade union membership and organisation, the erosion of collective bargaining, reductions in the incidence of industrial action and the rise of Human Resource Management (HRM). This chapter examines this new terrain and introduces key concepts which help the reader to understand the contemporary employment relations environment and the profound challenges this has created for management and unions. The chapter provides a foundation for the rest of the book and a rationale for a strategic approach to the management of employment relations which foregrounds collective voice.