Women's collectivism in context: women's groups in UK trade unions

This research examines the relationship between the establishment and development of women's groups (WGs) in UK unions, and their wider union and environmental settings. Its timeliness is underscored by unions' ongoing search for sturdy bases for revival and greater representation of their various constituent groups, including via special representative mechanisms such as WGs. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of survey and interview data highlighted links between similar union and wider environmental conditions and WG establishment and development, as well as more complex relationships.     

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 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.     

Partnership with and without trade unions in the UK financial services: filling or fuelling the representation gap?

Partnership theory proposes that an appropriate integration of direct and indirect employee participation mutually benefits the workers and the company. This study explores the putative employee voice gains and the risks for union effectiveness by comparing employees' evaluation of partnership practices at two financial service companies with non‐union and union employee representation, respectively.     

New communication systems and trade union politics: a case study of Spanish trade unions and the role of the internet

This article shows how engagement with the internet and aspects of the new economy/society require an appreciation of union difference and politics. It shows how union responses vary due to four factors: communication strategies, union identity, forms of internal democracy and a range of organisational and social contingencies. The article will study the phenomena of the internet in the context of one national case study, Spain. It is a country that allows us to view the political dimensions of the internet, and the way they link to communication strategies, due to the manner in which the labour movement has transformed and modernised itself. It is also of interest because methods of communication have been at the heart of the way in which unions have developed and differentiated themselves. This article will argue that a greater sensitivity is required in terms of union history, politics and identity if the impact and use of new forms of communication are to be fully appreciated. It also points to the need to appreciate tensions between different forms of communication.     

French trade unions: crisis in the 1980s

France has had a Socialist President since 1981, and yet support for French trade unions has declined markedly. This article assesses the nature of this decline and examines the role of government, changes in the labour market, employer policies and trade union strategies, in order to explain this apparent paradox.     

Financial reporting and disclosure requirements for trade unions: a comparison of UK and US public policy

The underlying policy objectives and the degree to which they are served by current trade union financial reporting and disclosure regimes in the US and the UK are examined in this article, along with a detailed comparison of the government oversight agencies, annual disclosure forms and member access to union financial records.     

European trade unions and the flexible workforce

Unions’ attitude to flexible labour contracts tend to be defensive. The author argues that these contracts are inevitable anyway and that trade unions should adopt part-time work as an alternative to insecure forms of work and as a policy organise the new entrants in the labour market. Some policy proposals are put forward.     

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.     

Economic Democracy: are the trade unions equipped?

Recent policy statements from the TUC and the Labour Party announce an ambitious and radical programme for democratising economic life—but do the trade unions have the organisational competence and the motivation to carry this through?     

Black trade unions and the wage gap in South Africa

This paper puts forward a model of real wage determination for black workers in South Africa. The model is fitted to data for mining and manufacturing for the post-war period. It is found that since 1980 the rise of black trade unions has been a major factor underlying wage increases in manufacturing. In the 1970s, rising gold prices and reduced foreign labour supplies were favourable for mining labour, and in both industries pass law limitations on mobility are found to have lowered balck wages.     

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.     

After unification: trade unions and industrial relations in eastern Germany

Following unification the West German unions quickly established themselves in the former East. The system of Works Councils and Co-determination was also imposed on the new Länder. This article examines the experience of unions in the east and considers the impact on industrial relations of the unification process.     

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.     

Post‐socialist trade unions: China and Russia

This paper identifies the constraints and opportunities facing trade unions in post‐socialist societies through a comparison of the Russian and Chinese cases. The paper charts the changing role of trade unions in the integration of state‐socialist economies into global capitalism and argues that this presents the trade unions with a dilemma: whether to reconstitute their traditional role through collaboration with management and the state apparatus, or whether to develop their ability to defend the rights and interests of workers. While the former offers the line of least resistance, there are progressive elements pushing for change in both trade union movements.     

The influences on women joining and participating in unions

This article brings gender to the centre of concepts used to explore union joining and participation, demonstrating that a gender‐sensitive analysis adds to our understanding. Using qualitative data from a study of women in two large male‐dominated UK trade unions, the article explores four key influences on women's union joining and participation—family, union, work and feminism. While prior beliefs and values played a role in promoting joining and participation, gendered experiences of unions and the workplace had a more profound influence. Feminism affected the nature of participation in that self‐identified feminists were more critical of the masculine character of trade unionism.     

Women's attitudes towards trade unions in the UK: a consideration of the distinction between full‐ and part‐time workers

This article considers the attitudes and experiences of female full‐ and part‐time workers towards trade unions. Expanding upon previous research it suggests that while the attitudes of full‐ and part‐time workers towards trade unions are similar, experiences of trade unions are not: they depend upon the employment context and work history. A life course perspective is advanced, which examines women's employment contexts and transitions between full‐ and part‐time work in order to further explain female part‐timers’ lower likelihood of unionising.     

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.     

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.