Diversity in trade union membership: a typology based on the study of a Spanish trade union

While existing literature on the changing nature of trade union membership concentrates on unidimensional differences between members, this article proposes a multidimensional typology, which considers demographic characteristics as well as labour market position and length of union membership. Our results allow the identification of different member profiles; these are significantly associated to differences in employment conditions, work participation, job satisfaction and union activism. In the last section of the article, we discuss the practical implications that these different member profiles may have for union policy and organisation.     

Transforming union women: the role of women trade union officials in union renewal

The article investigates the nature of the increasing involvement of women in the decision-making structures of the fifth largest UK union through a study of senior women union officials. It is argued that senior union women, operating within a feminist paradigm, balance both transformational and status quo objectives in working towards union survival and renewal.     

Job regulation and the managerial challenge to trade unions: evidence from two union membership surveys

Data from a survey of union activists in twelve unions, and from a survey of members of the Communication Workers Union, are used to argue that changes in labour management and work organisation do not provide scope for social partnership at work, but do represent new difficulties for collective representation.     

Rookes v. Barnard and the trade union question in British politics

In the 1950s, given the scope of the Trade Disputes Act 1906 that had granted immunity against specific torts (civil wrongs) to organisers of industrial action, the courts had little role in industrial relations. Hence, the importance of the House of Lords decision in 1964 that, in threatening to strike to secure Douglas Rookes's removal from the Heathrow design office of the British Overseas Aircraft Corporation after his resignation from the union, Alfred Barnard and others had used unlawful means because a threat to break a contract of employment came within the tort of intimidation that was unprotected by the Trade Disputes Act's statutory immunities, and thus, they were liable to pay damages to Rookes. The legal arguments deployed are analysed within growing unease in the Conservative Party and among employers at the emergence of workplace union organisation and national strikes. Despite being partially neutralised by the Trade Disputes Act 1965, Rookes was a harbinger of a new judicial activism that outflanked trade unions' tort immunities by creating novel common law liabilities. This in turn laid the political basis for subsequent Conservative legislation to restrict and regulate trade unions and industrial action, a project that is ongoing.     

Health and safety and trade union workplace organization—a case study in the printing industry

Here the author looks at the implementation of the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations in the printing industry. In discussing the relationship between trade union organisation and the joint regulation of health and safety at work, he concludes that leaving health and safety to joint regulation was based on an assumption of trade union power. Wim this power diminished the Regulations have had only limited effect.     

New technology: a survey of trade union response in Britain*

In this article, which is a version of a much larger report, the authors assess how the major trade unions, at conference and executive committee level, are responding in their policies and attitudes to the new technology.     

Size and effectiveness: a case study of a small union

This article challenges the conventional wisdom that increasing size is the key to effective trade union representation. We draw on case study research at the National Union of Lock and Metal Workers (NULMW), which has allowed certain assumptions about small and independent unions to be challenged and suggests some possible alternatives to concentration strategies as a response to a hostile environment     

A trade union model with endogenous militancy: interpreting the French case

This paper aims to provide a simple trade union model which highlights some of the distinctive institutional features of French unionism. The model focuses on the determinants of militancy and membership in a frictionless economy. It brings into the picture three types of agents and their specific behaviour: firms accept to pay a premium in order to avoid strikes, individuals participate in the union in order to maximise their expected income and union leadership seeks to maximise his/her net personal gain. By adapting militancy—broadly defined as hard stance during the annual wage bargaining—the union leader may achieve a unionisation rate consistent with his/her own objectives. It is shown that a non-Walrasian labour market equilibrium exists wherein real wages, employment, union size and militancy are jointly determined. In comparative statics, the model predicts a negative relationship between militancy and membership; recent evolutions of the main French union confederations tend to support this conclusion.     

The importance of national institutional arrangements: the case of trade union membership and unemployment

In some EU countries the trade unions are centrally involved in the administration and distribution of unemployment benefits. This institutional relationship is held to play an important role in accounting for the relatively high level of union density in the countries concerned. However, there has been very little systematic, empirical research designed to demonstrate this alleged effect. This paper analyses a large-scale body of survey data for all the EU countries in 1993 to test for this effect, with the results strongly confirming the role and strength of this institutional relationship.     

Management buyouts and trade unions: dispelling the myths*

The transfer of ownership of companies to their management has become a prevalent feature of British industry over the last five years. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that this has often provided the opportunity for the removal of trade unions from the workplace. The results of this comprehensive survey of management-buyouts suggests that this view is misplaced.     

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.     

Sources of variation in trade union membership across the UK: the case of Wales

This article deals with issues relating to trade union density and the fact that while over the past 30 years, union densities have followed a declining path in all regions, this retreat was not uniform across space. Analysis of the Labour Force Survey reveals that Wales exhibits among the highest levels of union density in the UK. The reasons for this are examined through statistical analysis, historical analysis and interview data. These analyses reveal that there appear to be intrinsic differences in the nature of workplace representation in Wales; one linked to a particular style of trade unionism supported by the authority of a devolved state that continue to contribute to higher levels of membership.     

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 role of trade unions in supporting victims of domestic violence in the workplace

This article explores the effects that domestic violence has on victims in their workplace and how trade unions respond. Focussing on the experiences of union representatives, the research highlights the support offered to victims, the barriers representatives face and the under‐acknowledged personal impact that these cases can have upon representatives.     

Lay officers in the German chemical workers' union: a case study

Much is heard in Britain of the success of the West German economy, with special attention being drawn to the structure and policies of its trade union movement. In this case study of workplace industrial relations, David Ebsworth examines the role of lay officers of the third largest West German trade union, the Chemical Workers' Union, in a high technology industry.     

The adjustment process of Spanish repatriates: a case study

Little empirical research has focused on the repatriation process of international employees despite the increasing number of expatriations that take place and the consequences of its failure. Based on a ten cases study, this research provides an in-depth analysis of the adjustment difficulties repatriates face when they come back from international assignments. Findings suggest that these adjustment problems could lead to turnover intentions. The study also shows that work adjustment difficulties can be caused by differences between the host and the domestic organizational culture and it can be moderated by some organizational practices. Implications and recommendations for human resources practitioners and researchers are discussed.     

Civil servant and trade union member: a conflict of loyalties?

Here the author looks at the dual role of senior civil servant and trade union member and the conflicts of loyalty which may arise now that their union, the FDA, has taken strike action and become involved in campaigns against government policies for the first time.     

Trade union growth,the employer and the hotel and restaurant industry: a case study

The author discusses the prospects for trade union growth in this industry in the light of a case study of the development of a branch of the Transport and General Workers’ Union within the EMI-owned Angus Steak House chain.