Take Home Final Exam: Industrial Sociology

Industrial Sociology 1

Take Home Final Exam : Industrial Sociology

When it is said that Europeans , particularly Germans , have a voice inside the firm , the reference may very well be to the concept of Works Councils that dominate industrial relations in Germany . As a form of representative body for the employee in an establishment , the council has proven to be very effective for labor relations in this European country . This system differs from that of the U .S . in that it collaborates rather than being in constant confrontation with management whenever an

employee issue arises . The council is a form of co-determination method being used in Germany today

This representative body may have in its membership one person for an establishment of 5-20 employees and up to 35 , for an establishment of 15 ,000 employees (Rogers Streeck , n .d . The important thing is that the works council has numerous and effective participation rights in the running of the company . In a typical scenario , the Council is obligated to co-operate with management in a spirit of mutual trust for the benefit of the company and employees (Works Constitution Act , Section 2 (1 . Additionally , the council is expected to negotiate with a serious desire to reach agreement

This is of course different from the U .S , where the trade unions only negotiate to win , and will resort to industrial action , for example , a labor strike , in to achieve its ends . These Unions are seen to be arrogant and dominant . In many cases...