A lack of engagement with employee representatives will lead to further strike action, say experts

A tight labour market combined with a cost of living crisis and falling wages is the perfect storm for fuelling further industrial action.

This is according to the CIPD, which is urging employers to engage with their recognised employee representatives and trade unions to avoid issues escalating to strike action.

The latest CIPD research revealed that more than twice as many employers agree than disagree that employers can expect to face increasing levels of industrial action over the next 12 months (42% agree versus just 20% disagree).

Rachel Suff, senior employee relations adviser for the CIPD, commented on their findings, “Collective employee voice and working with representatives can make a real contribution to an organisation’s climate and performance.

“We are seeing collective unrest bubbling up and pressures like the cost-of-living crisis and the challenging labour market are a recipe for conflict. But there is also a real opportunity to work together and make a positive change to working lives.

“Trade unions are still a legitimate influence in workplaces today and organisations need to take them seriously and engage constructively with all forms of employee representation. Our research shows that despite rumbling tensions between unions and employers, most employers recognise the importance of unions and are open to working together to tackle the big issues. At the end of the day, nobody wants industrial action, and it can hopefully be avoided in most cases where there is genuine consultation and a constructive approach to negotiations.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.