Decision-making – Labour relations and strike notice Statement: The employees’ union of the Municipal Corporation has decided to strike work for an indefinite period to protest the management’s refusal to grant bonus. Courses of Action: I. The government should immediately pay an ex-gratia grant to the Municipal Corporation so it can grant bonus to its employees. II. The striking employees should be persuaded to defer the strike notice.
-
AOnly I follows
-
BOnly II follows
-
CEither I or II follows
-
DNeither I nor II follows
-
EBoth I and II follow
Answer
Correct Answer: Only II follows
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Industrial relations problems call for negotiation, conciliation, and structured dialogue. The central question is which action logically follows from the situation and is institutionally appropriate.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Employees plan an indefinite strike over bonus refusal.
- Municipal finances and policy frameworks govern bonus decisions.
- Government ex-gratia support is not implied by the statement.
Concept / Approach:Valid courses of action should encourage resolution through talks, mediation, or statutory mechanisms (conciliation, arbitration) rather than fiscal bailouts that may set poor precedents and distort local accountability.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Assess I: Direct government ex-gratia to fund a specific bonus is not a necessary or indicated step here; it presumes capacity, policy alignment, and precedent without evidence. Hence I does not follow.Assess II: Persuading employees to defer the strike allows time for negotiation and reduces disruption of civic services. This is a standard first response and follows.Verification / Alternative check:Labour disputes are often handled by dialogue, fact-finding, and phased escalation protocols. Immediate subsidies are rare and problematic.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- I follows / Either / Both: I is not warranted by the given statement.
- Neither: Ignores the pragmatic step of de-escalation and dialogue.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming higher-level government will or should finance local HR obligations; ignoring standard conciliation steps.
Final Answer:Only II follows