Case study

This case revolves around proposed changes to the federal public service employees$$ sick leave. Issues here consider emotional nature of conflict, power and politics. The federal government rather than the federal unions has been given the power to decide whether individual disputes are solved by arbitration or conciliation. The unions are concerned that the government can force them into conciliation and a possible strike even if their members would prefer arbitration. The new rules for collective bargaining

have decreased the power of unions. The government has also placed limits on the factors that arbitrators and conciliation boards can consider when they provide decisions on disputes. These limits seem to favour the federal government.

At issue is the $2014$ announcement that the federal government would revamp the public service$$s sick leave policy. Under the existing policy, public servants receive $15$ days of paid sick leave per year and unused days can be carried over. The government$$s point of view is that the existing policy creates significant liabilities on the government balance sheet, and there is no guarantee that the workers actually use the days for sick leave. Another issue quoted by the government centres around eq$1$uity as long$-$term employees have a much better safety net under the banking provision than junior employees.

The government has begun negotiations with insurance providers before finalizing the new policy with the federal public service unions. As a result the unions have signed a pledge not to surrender their current sick leave benefits. This sets the stage for conflict as many of the unions will be renegotiating new contracts in $2015.$

CASE ANALYSIS MODEL

The following represent the steps that you should take in working through your case. You will

not necessarily submit the evidence from each step in your report, but the analysis done at each

step will provide the necessary foundation upon which to write your report.

Step $1$: Inventory of Facts

Brief listing of key facts $($people$,$ places, events, dates, results, etc.$)$ in case.

Step $2$: Statement of Problem$($s$)$

$$ Concise statement of major problem$($s$)$ in case.

$$ Problems stated as things to be corrected or resolved.

$$ Group related problems together.

Step $3$: Analysis of Causes

Identification and analysis of all possible causes of the problem$($s$)$ in the case.

Step $4$: Theory Application I

Identification of all theories or models that might apply to these problems.

Step $5$: List of Possible Solutions

Identification of possible solutions to each problem as stated. What objectives

are achieved with each solution?

Step $6$: Justification of Preferred Solution

Presentation of a recommended solution and a justification for this choice. You should

not present every possibility; rather you should limit yourself to presenting the most

convincing, cohesive solution.

Step $7$: Evaluation of Preferred Solution

What are the implications $($positive and negative consequences$)$ of your decision?

Step $8$: Theory Application II

Which theories are most applicable in this situation? Why? Use the theory

to help you justify your choice of solution.

Step $9$: Implementation

How would you carry out your solution? Provide concrete action plans for short$-$ and

long$-$term.