CASE STUDY:- MORHEAD'S BISCUIT COMPANY AND COVID-19 Morhead Biscuit Company is internationally renowned for its success in recruiting the best Customer Service Agents, administrative and managerial staff in the industry due to its sound Industrial Relations Programmes that caters to the needs of the employees. As a unionized, employer of choice, the staff were able to benefit from various IER programmes and benefits. On June 29, 2020, 80 staff members in Jamaica, when leaving work, were issued with letters by their Supervisors that the company was experiencing financial constraints and their positions were no longer needed and their posts would be made redundant. Twenty persons who were on Vacation leave and Maternity leave were sent emails informing them of their positions being made redundant. The staff members were also informed to returned the following date to meet with Mr. Shane Daly, Head of Human Resource the following day as he was in a meeting with the Board of Directors discussing their redundancy. Staff members grew angry and notified their Trade Union. The union reported the matter to the government ministry and their staff had launched an investigation into the matter and requested that the Managing Director of Morhead Biscuit Company provided a report on the matter within 24 hours. The union also wrote to the Managing Director of Morhead Bisuit Company, Mr. Merrick Lloud, complaining about the matter and they could not ensure normalcy within the work place. The anger grew even further and the following day, staff members at the Kingston location protested outside the gates of the company. Staff and union representatives bore placards that called for the boycotting of Morhead's Biscuit products. The government officials ordered the company to withdraw the redundant exercise. Employees of Morhead Biscuit Company were experiencing a high increase in exposure to persons who tested positive and were sent home on Leave of Absence. The unavailability of staff was further compounded by the staff members using their Sick leave due to their scare of being exposed to the virus. A committee was organized, involving the staff members, to develop the strategies and decide on the best options with management's approval. The committee was tasked with the matter of recommending which position could be changed from contract of service to contract for service and vice versa. For Morhead Biscuit Company and its employees, the situation has become a matter of economic survival for however long the COVID-19 pandemic will last.

ATTEMPT ALL QUESTION

1. Analyze the roles, functions, and responsibilities of each "actor" identified in the case, in establishing industrial harmony at Morehead Biscuit Company.

2. Justify your choice on the Industrial Relations perspective/theory that you would recommend Morhead Biscuit Company adopt. Include relevant facts and references to support your views.

3. Given your knowledge of the Jamaican Legislation, discuss the labour laws that may protect the workers in this case and determine whether the actions of the management team breached the laws or not. Provide examples and the related clauses to support your decision.