Collective Employment Relations

“This is a very welcome and timely book, which makes a compelling case for a more strategic approach to the development of high-trust employment relations and for engaging constructively with trade unions. Drawing on a wealth of case studies and written in an engaging and accessible style, it will be a superb resource for under-graduate students, those taking CIPD-accredited courses, as well as for managers and trade union representatives.”

- Chris Rees, Professor of Employment Relations, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK

In an era of rapid technological, economic and political change, there is a growing awareness of the challenges of income inequality, employment insecurity and workplace conflict. In this context, positive relationships between management and trade unions offer an opportunity to negotiate change and create fairer and more productive workplaces. Part of the Palgrave Executive Essentials series, this engaging text is the only dedicated resource for executive learners, professionals and students of human resources and labour relations, providing a strategic management guide to employment relations in the unionised workplace. Combining theory with practical examples and tools, this book is a one-stop-shop for students, instructors and practitioners looking to supplement their understanding of employment relations with hands-on knowledge of this vitally important context. It includes case studies, reflective questions, suggested resources and further reading for additional learning.

Debbie Sanders is an employment relations specialist with over 30 years’ experience. She has led ER teams, been a union official, researcher, writer and lecturer in this field. Today she runs Make Work Better, an employment relations consultancy, where she delivers an executive education programme for some of the UK’s largest unionised organisations, helping to build capability in collective employment relations.

Joseph Perry has extensive collective employment relations experience in unionised organisations in transport, law enforcement, utilities and politics. He has led HR and ER functions and has supported organisations in the UK and internationally. Joseph co-delivers the UKs only executive education programme for employment relations with Debbie Sanders. He studied Industrial Relations at    the University of Keele.

Richard Saundry is a leading authority on the management of discipline, grievance and workplace conflict. He has held senior posts at the Universities of Westminster, Sheffield, Central Lancashire and Plymouth. His work has been published in a wide range of leading international academic journals and he played a major role in developing the Skilled Managers research programme.