Tuesday, July 22, 2003

‘Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.

(Sample IELTS Essays)

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Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.


Talk about this task with a partner. What would you say in the essay?

Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.

Below is a sample essay. It is missing a thesis statement, the topic sentences for each body paragraph, and a conclusion. Your teacher will give you 5 sentences. See if you can match the sentences to the blanks

The issue of industrial action has attracted a lot of media attention recently. For example, a strike by workers from the Bonds Clothing Company made the headlines in Australia last month.(1) _________
________________________________________________________________________________

(2)__________________________________________________________________. In the case of unfair treatment of staff, for example, going on strike may be the only way that employees can effect a change in management policy. Of course, this should not be the first step –the workers should try to negotiate with their employers initially- but if these negotiations break down, there may be no alternative action for the workers to take. Going on strike is also an effective tool for making the general community aware of the workers’ plight. The workers from the Bonds factory stopped work as a protest against the company’s plans to retrench staff. This action was widely reported and the workers received considerable support from the general public. The public reaction led to a change of heart from the management and these workers kept their jobs. The company, in turn, won a lot of support from consumers. So, the strike had a positive effect on both the workers and the company.

(3)_________________________________________________________________. In Australia, the ETU (Electrical Trades Union) has traditionally been a very powerful union because they control the supply of electricity into people’s homes. Despite the fact that the members of this union are well-paid, these workers often go on strike in order to get even higher wages. This, of course, is a misuse of power. Additionally, it could be argued that workers involved in essential services should not resort to striking as a way of resolving industrial disputes. It would be disastrous if doctors or nurses, for instance, were to take industrial action.

(4)____________________________________________________________________________. (5)___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Cut up strips and shuffle and have students match the sentences to paragraphs in groups
In conclusion, going on strike can be an effective way of settling disputes between employers and employees.



There are several reasons why withholding labour can be justified.



However, this power should not be misused and workers involved in essential services should find other means of resolving their grievances.



Some people believe that such action is justified, while others feel that employees should not be able to go on strike.




On the other hand, unions sometimes misuse their right to strike.






Cut up strips and shuffle and have students match the sentences to paragraphs in groups
In conclusion, going on strike can be an effective way of settling disputes between employers and employees.



There are several reasons why withholding labour can be justified.



However, this power should not be misused and workers involved in essential services should find other means of resolving their grievances.



Some people believe that such action is justified, while others feel that employees should not be able to go on strike.




On the other hand, unions sometimes misuse their right to strike.




Task 2 Writing


Going on strike’ is commonly used as a catalyst to resolve industrial disputes. Many conservative governments are strongly opposed to this mechanism for bringing about change. Discuss the pros and cons of this action in resolving disputes.



Paragraph 1:
Background

2 sides:
Justified / not OK




Paragraph 2:
Pros:
  • right to withhold labour

  • effective way of resolving disputes













Paragraph 3:
Cons:
  • misuse of power
  • essential services shouldn’t strike







Conclusion:
Repeat P.2 & P.3


The issue of industrial action has attracted a lot of media attention recently. For example, a strike by workers from the Bonds Clothing Company made the headlines in Australia last month. Some people believe that such action is justified, while others feel that employees should not be able to go on strike.




There are several reasons why withholding labour can be justified. In the case of unfair treatment of staff, for example, going on strike may be the only way that employees can effect a change in management policy. Of course, this should not be the first step –the workers should try to negotiate with their employers initially- but if these negotiations break down, there may be no alternative action for the workers to take. Going on strike is also an effective tool for making the general community aware of the workers’ plight. The workers from the Bonds factory stopped work as a protest against the company’s plans to retrench staff. This action was widely reported and the workers received considerable support from the general public. The public reaction led to a change of heart from the management and these workers kept their jobs. The company, in turn, won a lot of support from consumers. So, the strike had a positive effect on both the workers and the company.










On the other hand, unions sometimes misuse their right to strike. In Australia, the ETU (Electrical Trades Union) has traditionally been a very powerful union because they control the supply of electricity into people’s homes. Despite the fact that the members of this union are well-paid, these workers often go on strike in order to get even higher wages. This, of course, is a misuse of power. Additionally, it could be argued that workers involved in essential services should not resort to striking as a way of resolving industrial disputes. It would be disastrous if doctors or nurses, for instance, were to take industrial action.






In conclusion, going on strike can be an effective way of settling disputes between employers and employees. However, this power should not be misused and workers involved in essential services should find other means of resolving their grievances.




Word Count: 362

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