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Gold Fish Company Ltd in Pacific.

Gold Fish company is fishing company and it is owned by an overseas MNC Corporation with minor shares of government. The company catches fish in Pacific Island countries and does canning in the factory. It has been operating over the last 40 years. The production system, industrial and employment relations at the factory have been changing in the few decades three decades.

Between the decade 1970-1980, there were 400 workers (mostly women) working in the factory. Working hours were 8.30 am - 4.30 pm. The production in the factory was designed similar to Frederick Taylors moving assembly lines and the assembly lines moved at a pace of 5 minutes and workers had 5 minutes to complete the tasks at their workstations. An independent trade union was present in the company and 300 workers were members of the trade union. Management consulted the trade union officials regarding production rates, OHS issues, wages and working conditions. Collective bargaining process took place between the management and trade union officials. The government intervened and helped the workers when there was a dispute. The management also played a key role in making strategic decisions and bringing about peace and no disputes in the organisation.

In the decade 1981-1990, there were 350 workers in the factory. Working hours were 8 am-5.00 pm. The production in the factory was designed similar to Frederick Taylors moving assembly lines and the assembly lines moved at a pace of 4.5 minutes and workers had 4.5 minutes to complete the tasks at their workstations. The trade union was still present in the company and with 200 workers as trade union members. The management discouraged the 200 workers not to join the existing trade union. The trade union disagreed with new production rate but could not persuade the management. Workers were required to do overtime work after 5pm.

In the decade 1991-2000, there was stiff global competition in fish canning and the company lost some markets and had to increase productivity to survive. Due to cost cutting the workforce was downsized to 250 workers working in the factory. Production targets had to be met by workers and labour process was intensified. The production in the factory was designed similar to Frederick Taylors moving assembly lines and the assembly lines moved at a pace of 4.0 minutes and workers had 4.0 minutes to complete the tasks at their workstations. No trade union were allowed. Collective bargaining process was removed and individual contracts was preferred by the management.

In the decade 2001-2010, there was global competition increased as more Asian countries increased their production in fish canning and the company lost more markets and had to increase productivity to survive. The production in the factory was designed similar to Frederick Taylors moving assembly lines and the assembly lines moved at a pace of 4.5 minutes and workers had 4.5 minutes to complete the tasks at their workstations. Due to cost cutting the workforce was downsized to 250 workers working in the factory. Production targets had to be met by workers and labour process was intensified. No trade union were allowed.

In the decade 2011-2020, there was global competition increased as more Latin American countries ( eg Brazil, Chile) increased their production in fish canning and the company lost more markets and had to increase productivity to survive. The production in the factory was designed similar to Frederick Taylors moving assembly lines and the assembly lines moved at a pace of 3.5 minutes and workers had 3.5 minutes to complete the tasks at their workstations. Due to cost cutting the workforce was downsized to 200 workers working in the factory. Production targets had to be met by workers and there was work intensification. No trade union were allowed. The workers were exploited. There is a two classes present (one class were the senior management and owners of the factory, and the employees were see as working class. The workers rebelled through a big strike and the company owners left and workers and govern began to operate the factory. The workers were owners of factory not like before.

(Source: Case study created by Dr Anand Chand, 2020).

Answer all 5 questions. Give justifications for each of your answers. (5 marks each). Write 1-2 paragraphs

1. In the decade: 1970-1980, which types of industrial relations theory or theories that are able to explain industrial and employment relations situation in the Gold Fish company. Give reasons and examples to justify your answer (5 marks).

2. In the decade: 1981-1990, which types of industrial relations theory or theories that are able to explain industrial and employment relations situation in the Gold Fish company. Give reasons and examples to justify your answer (5 marks).

3. In the decade: 1991-2000, which types of industrial relations theory or theories that are able to explain industrial and employment relations situation in the Gold Fish company. Give reasons and examples to justify your answer (5 marks).

4. In the decade: 2001-2010, which types of industrial relations theory or theories that are able to explain industrial and employment relations situation in the Gold Fish company. Give reasons and examples to justify your answer (5 marks).

5. In the decade: 2011-2020, which types of industrial relations theory or theories that are able to explain industrial and employment relations situation in the Gold Fish company. Give reasons and examples to justify your answer (5 marks).