An uncertain future for the unions

Article Abstract:

The debate concerning steps necessary to increase membership, standing, and effectiveness of trade unions is linked to, but overshadowed by the argument concerning 'new style' single-union-no-strike agreements. The Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Trades Union (EETPU) is the key advocate and principal beneficiary of the new-style agreements, and faces expulsion from Trades Union Congress (TUC) membership over the issue. New-style agreements include such elements as single-union recognition, single status, and strong emphasis on training and retraining. These appeal to the 'new realists', who consider them critical to reappraisal of trade union strategy in light of prevailing and industrial attitudes, but have little appeal to unions with traditionalist left political cultures. The EETPU has failed to comply with TUC's 'Bridlington' rules governing inter-union

Contracts, Collective bargaining, Trades Union Congress, Great Britain, Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunication and Plumbing Union

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UK employment practices after the social charter

Article Abstract:

The European Community (EC) Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers, or social charter, has become the primary vehicle for EC social and employment strategy, and will have a great influence on industrial relations in Great Britain in the 1990s despite the opposition of the British government. The 12 basic social and employment rights guaranteed by the social charter include: freedom of movement of workers, freedom of association and collective bargaining, and equal treatment for women. In November 1989, the European Commission proposed 47 new initiatives related to the charter, including directives on wages, working conditions, and the protection for pregnant women and young workers. The European Parliament currently is considering draft legislation, the European Company Statute, that would facilitate worker participation in management.

Laws, regulations and rules, Economic policy, European Union, European Union. European Commission, European Union. European Parliament

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Unions in the '90s - fewer but fitter?

Article Abstract:

Mergers of UK unions have increased during the 1980s, often for political reasons rather than as a consequence of industrial logic. The moves are motivated to a degree by substantial declines in trade union membership. Trade union leaders are likely to be cautious and proceed slowly on such merger-related organizational matters as rewriting rulebooks and reallocating responsibilities. Sharper competition for membership could result in more emphasis on women's issues as a means of recruiting women workers. Because unions are becoming more broadly based and find themselves with wider membership profiles due to mergers, they will be better positioned to offer 'across the board' representation and to compete more effectively for a place in the bargaining structures of the future.

Human capital

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