Christopher J. Bruce

First published in 1991, Rethinking Labour-Management Relations explores how the contemporary system of industrial relations developed and outlines proposals for a better alternative. The book examines the positives and negatives of three systems of industrial relations: a freely operating market for labour where workers bargain individually with employers; a strike-based system of collective bargaining; and, a compulsory arbitration system. It discusses how the strike replaced individual bargaining, highlighting the deficiencies in these respective systems and presenting arbitration as the more efficient and effective way of settling disputes. In doing so, the book emphasises the role of the parties involved in finding solutions and considers how government intervention could be kept to a minimum. Exploring a wealth of literature relating to compulsory arbitration systems around the world and formulating a set of criteria for establishing the best possible form of arbitration, Rethinking Labour-Management Relations will appeal to those with an interest in the history of trade union theory, public policy, and labour law.

First published in 1991, Rethinking Labour-Management Relations explores how the contemporary system of industrial relations developed and outlines proposals for a better alternative. The book examines the positives and negatives of three systems of industrial relations: a freely operating market for labour where workers bargain individually with employers; a strike-based system of collective bargaining; and, a compulsory arbitration system. It discusses how the strike replaced individual bargaining, highlighting the deficiencies in these respective systems and presenting arbitration as the more efficient and effective way of settling disputes. In doing so, the book emphasises the role of the parties involved in finding solutions and considers how government intervention could be kept to a minimum. Exploring a wealth of literature relating to compulsory arbitration systems around the world and formulating a set of criteria for establishing the best possible form of arbitration, Rethinking Labour-Management Relations will appeal to those with an interest in the history of trade union theory, public policy, and labour law.

Chris Bruce was born in England and educated in South Africa. After a long career in the construction industry in South Africa, Namibia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Oman and the United Arab Emirates and a spell setting up and operating a fresh and processed sausage factory in Bangkok, Chris finally retired to Hua Hin in Thailand. Not being Thai, unable to speak the language, no longer a part of the construction "EXPAT NETWORK", it was not long before he became somewhat bored with life. One way to alleviate the boredom was to write. Chris decided to use his knowledge of the sausage industry to write a book of sausage making methods and recipes. This was followed by a book of liqueur making methods and recipes. Chris realizing that people do not have much time to read a little humor encouraged friends from around the world to send him jokes and anecdotes by email. This led to eight humorous books with jokes and anecdotes under the banner of the TAKE ME TO THE TOILET series. These were followed by Sausage: 91 Ideas for Making a Meal of It and Meat Loaves and Hamburger Patties. His latest book, Autobiography of an Unknown Man, is the story of his life from his birth in war torn England, his emigration to Namibia and his childhood there, school and university in South Africa, his successes and failures in the construction industry including building throughout the South African/Angolan Border War, his broken marriages and his moves to the Far East and Middle East before retiring.