Inequalities and employment relations

Abstract

This chapter addresses the challenges posed by multiple inequalities for employment relations as a practice and as an academic discipline. It explores how trade unions could respond to the challenges posed by the need to address multiple inequalities and makes the case that this could provide a basis for longer term trade union renewal. The chapter traces the development of different approaches to multiple inequalities, focusing primarily on gender and race equality, from equal opportunities to diversity management, to gender mainstreaming and intersectionality. The liberal approach is predicated on the principle of sameness between men and women and focuses on implementing employment policies and procedures that apply equally to everyone. The radical approach has a strong political and ethical foundation predicated on the need for concrete actions, such as quotas and positive discrimination to re-balance the historical employment inequality experienced by minority groups.