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Instructions

Individual Assignment $(15\%)-$ due Friday February $9$ at $11$:$59$ EST

Purpose:

The purpose of the assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of the impact of environmental factors as it relates to Labour Relations and the connection to a personal real$-$life situation and self awareness. More importantly it will demonstrate how you understand and follow instructions, read, analyze and write.

Minimum of $2$ pages, excluding reference and cover page. Submissions must be in WORD or PDF and only $1$ upload is permitted. I will accept single OR double line spacing. Provide a comprehensive$/$detailed answer inserting examples$/$scenarios based on your personal experience. Reference the course textbook, course materials; NO other external sources are to be used.

Before starting the assignment, read all instructions carefully including 'The Assignment Guidelines$/$Resources$\text{'},$ #$5$ for specifics on 'First Person Point of View' writing style.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Read Chapter $3$ of the text Industrial Relations in Canada. $4$th Edition by Hebdon, R$.,$ & Brown, T$.$ C$.,$ Walsworth, S$.$ then answer the following $2$ part question, using the 'First Person Point Of View' writing style. The assignment must be written in the same order below.

According to the text, the work environment and labour relations are affected by five $(5)$ environmental factors $-$ see list below.

Part $1.$ Think about your current challenges and$/$or opportunities as a student at Algoma University and choose any two $(2)$ of the factors below to describe HOW both factors are impacting you NOW, state whether positive or negative.

Part $2.$ Then project HOW you think these same two $(2)$ factors will impact your future employee experience$/$prospect$/$opportunities in the next $2$ to $5$ years $($after graduation$).$ State your reasoning in detail using supporting facts.

The five $(5)$ Environmental Factors in Chapter $3$

Economic Environment$$refers to the economy of the nation and the competitive position of an organization in a particular industry. For example, if there is an increase in inflation or new competitors in an industry, the union and the employer will be affected when considering pay rates for bargaining unit members.

Technological Environment$$refers to developments in knowledge that lead to new products and services that could influence, for example, methods of production. Technological developments can also affect union and employer objectives in a number of areas, including job security, training and health and safety.

Social Environment$$refers to the values and beliefs of Canadians relating to work, unions and employers. These values and beliefs may make communities more or less inclined to join or support unions. This is seen in variations in union density across provincial jurisdictions in Canada.

Political Environment$$refers to the Canadian political system and the effect it has on labour relations. The political system directly affects the legislation that regulates unions and employers. In November $2017,$ the Ontario government passed back$-$to$-$work legislation ending a five$-$week strike by community college faculty, librarians and counsellors. Public pressure on the Liberal government to end the strike, affecting some $500,000$ students, contributed to this action.

Legal Environment$$refers to all of the law that affects employees, unions and employers. Unions and employers are heavily regulated by labour relations legislation, which governs matters such as how a union organizes employees and how employers are allowed to respond. Human rights legislation is playing an important role in the administration of collective agreements. For example, addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disability under human rights legislation, requiring employers to reasonably accommodate employees in such circumstances.