A Walk On The Wild Side - Managing employee relations in global and millennial times ... 10 minutes at a time Alan Wild

Wild Side Episode 10 explores international trade unions, their identity, and current priorities. Employee relations professionals often engage with them for expertise in European Works Councils or as targets of global corporate campaigns. These trade unions influence policy through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UN systems, primarily via ITUC, ETUC, UniGlobal, and IndustriALL. Their focus includes International Framework Agreements and capacity building for the movement.
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
What organisations make up the ILO, and what is their collective objective? [1:03]
 
The ITUC is the global coordinating body of National Trade Union Federations. [3:34]
 
The two most active and well-known Global Union Federations (GUFs) and their objectives. [5:02]
 
International Framework Agreements and the conventions they commit to. [9:13]
 
LabourStart.org is an extensive network and resource of trade union information. [12:17]



Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
LabourStart
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey
HR Policy Upcoming Events

This is the second of the Wild Side podcasts’ addressing the impact of social networks on employee relations. In this episode, Host Alan Wild looks at non-traditional forms of collective action such as protests and disputes organized not through trade unions, but by employees orchestrating collective voice by leveraging social media tools. It also explores cases where employees have joined together to overturn agreements reached by untrusted trade unions. Are union-free companies immune to protests or strikes? This episode challenges outdated assumptions that haven't stood the test of time.
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
Examples of successful socially-driven protests that affected tech giants Google and Amazon. [1:34]
 
Why is socially driven collective action significant? [4:08]
 
Employee voice now has multiple channels. [7:07]
 
How companies can adapt to the new world of employee voice and employee listening. [11:18]



Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey
HR Policy Upcoming Events
 

This new episode of The Wild Side podcast deals with Activist Capture. Host Alan Wild describes the two forms of activist capture and shares regional examples of how it might play out. The first is where low voting in Works Council ballots results in the election of members who put their own interests before those of the people they represent. A similar issue is faced where thresholds for trade union representation are very low, and militant unions secure bargaining rights for the workforce despite having few members. The phenomenon is observed in rights-based employee relations systems and is a growing issue for Tech companies with no history of works council organization or trade union membership. The second form of activist capture is where internal company issues are hijacked by militant activists for their purposes, explode out of control in social and mainstream media, and are judged in the court of public opinion.
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
The two distinct forms of activist capture. [1:40]
 
A recap of power-based countries and rights-based countries. [2:56]
 
All European employees have a say in who represents them in elections. [4:21]
 
Rights of Trade Union Committees in Nordic and Central and Eastern European countries. [7:37]
 
Activist capture in the Tech industry in Europe. [9:28]
 
Examples of socially-driven activist capture in the United States. [11:41]
 
Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey
HR Policy Upcoming Events
 

The seventh episode in the “Wild Side '' focuses on works councils. Information and consultation bodies exist in many countries in some form, this episode concentrates on works councils or trade union committees with information and consultation rights in Europe. We discuss why establishing constructive relationships with bodies that represent employee interests is fundamental to European employee relations. A short example of managing a restructuring exercise across Europe sets out information and consultation and the penalties that can apply if the company gets it wrong. 
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
The history of works councils in Europe. [:12]
 
Common misconceptions about works councils and the common threads that bind them. [2:10]
 
Membership guidelines for works councils. [5:14]
 
Power and penalties of works councils. [8:10]
 
An example of how works councils and trade unions can affect workplace restructuring. [9:44]



Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org 
HR Policy Upcoming Events

This episode of the Wild Side podcast delves into the intricacies of Mexico, shedding light on its trade unions, labor codes, and recent developments impacting employee relations. In a staggering shift, more than 90% of Mexico's industrial companies were under collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) before May 2023. However, by June 1st, this figure plummeted to less than 20%. Reuters reports that a staggering 139,000 CBAs dissolved in May 2023 alone. Leaving companies used to years of so-called “Protection Agreements” or sweetheart deals with “white“ unions, union-free. Starting in the auto sector, and aided by US colleagues and the USMCA treaty, Mexico’s more militant unions are on the organizing trail. Host Alan Wild unravels the events leading to this significant change, offers insights into the future of trade unions, and explores the considerations companies may be contemplating.
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
A data snippet of Mexico’s economy and demographics. [1:51]
 
Current events impacting Mexico’s trade unions. [4:30]
 
Mexican labor codes and regulations. [6:43]
 
A brief history of Mexican trade unions. [9:18]
 
Pertinent information for companies with employees in Mexico. [12:38]



Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey
HR Policy Upcoming Events

The fifth episode in the “Wild Side” deals with European Works Councils or EWCs. European Works Councils have become a familiar part of the employee relations infrastructure in Europe over the last 25 years. This podcast describes the evolution of EWC law and practice up to the current proposals from the European Commission for a major revision. Despite employer fears when the laws were passed, most companies reached voluntary agreements prior to the law taking effect. Companies have adapted well and describe most EWCs today as constructive. That assessment may be revised when the laws are likely to be revised during 2024.
 
Key Takeaways: 
 
The European Works Council Directive. [1:30]
 
National laws must comply with the European Union Directive. [4:57]
 
Requirements for establishing an EWC Directive in a company. [6:13]
 
Definitions within the EWC environment. [9:40]
 
Important elements of EWC agreements. [12:02]
 
Transnational events and Select committees. [13:52]



Resources: 
 
HR Policy Association
Alan Wild on Linkedin
awild@hrpolicy.org — Request the 2023 HR Policy Survey
HR Policy Upcoming Events