Bosses must seize their chance'
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.URE to face up to the challenge of employee involvement may had a large influence in the growth of excessive union power. is the view of Employment Secretary David Waddington.
; explained to a Confederaof British Industry Confere in London that union rers had often hindered gencommunication between )loyers and their employees, .tting the future career of ;e concerned.
Vlanagements have been enraged to abandon comely their responsibility for inling employees about the ncial position of the unaking and the changes reed to make it prosperous." ley have relied entirely on p stewards and unelected )fl officials for communicatwith the workforce, he Ited out. "In some enteres it is still the union alone decides what information uld be passed on and what Iheld. Management shrugs its responsibilities to emtees and ignores the chaljes in favour of a quiet life." he struggle that British friary has undergone has ught about a well-needed nge in attitude, he said. Pay lotiations are now more reac, productivity is improving I the harm in overmanning and restrictive practices is becoming more recognised.
Now that the dole queues are receding, it is up to the management to seize the opportunity to make the changes that were pointed out in last year's CBI survey on employee involvement.
The Government has made clear its view that employee involvement was best developed voluntarily without the imposition of rigid levels systems which could disrupt and interfere with many longstanding arrangements, Mr Waddington said.
He emphasised the strength of feeling that now exists in the European Community over the need to ensure statutory rights about information and consultation for employees.
"These days employees believe they have a right to share in decisions which affect their working lives. In the 19805 we live in a less deferential society which will not tolerate an authoritarian and paternalistic approach, even if it is done for the best reasons," Mr Waddington told the conference.
"The implication of a democratic society cannot be stopped at the factory gate either by management or by Government, and we both ignore such pressure at our peril," he said.