The definition of a Trade Dispute is a dispute between a group of workers and their employer, or between workers and workers, which relates wholly or mainly to one of a number of issues as detailed in the Trade Disputes Act 1985. This commonly relates to pay, terms and conditions of employment and Trade Union recognition.
Case law has decided that a Trade Dispute can exist where there is a mere difference between the employer and the employees, or between the parties but, taking a pragmatic view, not every minor difference or disagreement is a Trade Dispute and the MIRS works to try and avoid disputes arising.
Collective conciliation is the term used where the MIRS offers parties assistance through facilitated or assisted negotiations to try to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their collective disputes. This usually happens once the parties have exhausted all the normal internal methods of dispute resolution. The role of the MIRS in collective matters is to remain independent and impartial, and often the involvement of the MIRS gives parties another opportunity to find a mutually agreed resolution.