Possibilities for remote participation in trade unions: mobilising women activists

This paper argues that trade union activism within the new era of information and communication technologies (ICTs) offers the potential for unions to become more inclusive of under‐represented groups. Traditional conceptions of activism, participation and democracy within trade unions require physical presence at meetings at times and in spaces incompatible with caring responsibilities and atypical hours of work. This restricts the participation of women and other ‘atypical’ workers in trade unions. The paper explores the complexities of electronic forms of union activism in practice, indicating that while some positive features are experienced, there are also a range of obstacles, barriers and possible negative consequences.     

The dynamics of positive action in UK trade unions: the case of women and black members

This paper considers positive action strategies amongst UK trade unions, aimed at increasing membership and levels of participation and representation among women and black workers. It provides an overview of women’s, black members’ and race structures within large Trades Union Congress unions and a detailed case study of one large UK trade union. We find that there are salient differences in the way that unions approach issues of gender equality, compared with the approach adopted towards race equality. The paper explores possible explanations, justifications and implications of these differences.     

The diffusion of HR practices in unions

Unions, like other service industry and/or nonprofit employers, are uniquely dependent upon the performance of their human resources to ensure organizational success. Consequently, unions have much to gain from adopting a more strategic focus in the management of their vital human talent. While some unions are moving toward greater sophistication in their internal HR practices (Clark and Gray, 2005), as a whole unions have been slow to embrace a strategic outlook on human resources and adopt HR practices that could improve union effectiveness and rejuvenate the union movement. In this paper, I identify and discuss internal organizational characteristics and external environmental factors that may influence the adoption of more sophisticated HR practices by labor unions. It is hoped that the framework that is suggested here can be used to launch research directed at understanding and improving the diffusion of good HR practices among unions that could subsequently improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of unions as institutions.     

The significance of trade unions in China*

Against the background of the rise (and fall) of Solidarity in Poland this article examines the nature of communist trade unions, focusing on their development in China and emphasising the need to use a different approach from that appropriate to capitalist societies.     

Trade unions and HRM

Here the author reviews the stated positions and responses of unions towards employer initiated human resource management developments. The information reviewed is drawn from Canada, Britain and the USA, with some differences being apparent between countries.     

The effect of unions on the innovative behaviour of firms in Canada

Survey data on a sample of Canadian establishments are used to examine the influence of unions on technological change. The analysis indicates that unionism is not a significant determinant of the rate of technological change. However, union presence does appear to affect the way in which innovation takes place.     

The impact of self governing trusts on trades unions and staff associations in the NHS

The creation of NHS trusts has the potential to fundamentally affect the role and influence of staff organisations in the NHS. The authors examine the extent to which this has occurred in some of the NHS trusts and the responses by staff organisations at national and local level.     

British trade unions in Ireland

This article examines various influences on the organisation of British trade unions in Ireland. The constitution of the ICTU is considered in the context of the drive towards an Irish-based and controlled trade union movement. The organisational response of British-based unions to these nationalist pressures is assessed using union rule books and interviews with trade union officials.     

White collar unions in Switzerland

Swiss trade unionism differs from that of other countries: lower strike incidence, lower trade union density and organisational segregation of blue and white collar employees. The author reviews and explains these differences and reports on the attitudes towards trade unionism of the German-speaking members of Switzerland's biggest white collar trade union organisation.     

Democracy and trade unions*

In the context of the current debate over the Government's proposals to regulate by statute the internal democratic arrangements of trade unions, this article examines the origins of the debate, the case for legislative intervention, the actual proposals and their wider implications.     

Where are miners’ unions going? trade unions in Vorkuta,Russia

The emergence of alternative unions in the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, suggested that new forms of unionism were developing. However, in the coalfields, the Independent Miners’ Union was unable to realise its initial promise, while the successors of the official unions began a complicated process of union renewal. This has laid the foundation for some form of reunification between the two types of unions.     

The impact of economic reform on the role of trade unions in Chinese enterprises

The movement of the Chinese economy towards a market orientation has been characterized by high levels of foreign direct investment, the diversification of forms of public ownership and the growing economic significance of the private sector as the PRC joins the global economy. These changes have clearly had a significant impact over time on the Chinese labour-force. This study, based on a geographically dispersed sample of sixty-two enterprises, both state-owned and joint venture, examines the effect of these economic reforms on industrial and labour relations, and in particular on the role of trade unions at plant level.     

The influences of society on suicide

Two recent critiques of sociological research into suicide have claimed that sociologists have not demonstrated the influence ofsociety on suicide. Evidence is presented from factoranalytic studies that a societal effect can be demonstrated.     

Employment flexibility,unions and companies in France

Employment flexibility–eg in relation to easier dismissal and the removal of most restrictions on temporary work–has grown in France during the eighties. This article traces and discusses its consequences for labour relations, collective bargaining and the labour movement.     

German trade unions and company information

British trade unions are not alone in needing to develop sophisticated and effective responses to rapid change – the theme of an earlier article by Tony Lane in Vol 17 No 4. Here the authors explore the problems of German trade unions in absorbing and evaluating detailed company information.     

Industrial and occupational change and trade unions

Report of an international trade union seminar for delegates from the UK, USA and USSR held at Nottingham University and Northern College, Barnsley, 4–15 April 1987     

The decollectivisation of trade unions? Ballots and collective bargaining in the 1980s

Balloting has been held to undermine collective decision making within unions. This article, based upon analysis of the rule books of all TUC affiliated unions and case study material, outlines the law on balloting and collective bargaining, and examines the response to legislative changes. The authors argue that although legislation has led to greater formalisation and centralisation in decision-making on collective action, decision-making remains collective.     

Employers,trade unions and environmental problems in Europe

This article reports the results of a comparative EU study, showing that there is evidence that the social partners in some countries have begun to discuss environmental protection as part of their industrial relations agenda, but such discussions are limited in scope and are restricted to a small number of countries, particularly Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.