The Nature of Some Recent Trade Union Modernization Policies in the UK

Abstract

This article draws on recent research to present findings concerning the nature of some recent trade union modernization policies in the UK. In response to decline, it can be seen that the unions have increasingly been encouraged to represent and service members more as individuals than as part of a collective. This appears to be consonant with the frequently expressed view that greater individualism, both in employment and in society more generally, has largely been responsible for recent union weaknesses, and that if they are to endure the unions should adapt to it. Using data generated from interviews with fulltime officers from a number of unions and from a case study of Unison organization within a local authority, the paper identifies two crucial problems with such an approach. First, it is argued that the substantial difficulties that the unions have experienced recently have been caused by a process of decollectivization in employment relations, and not one of individualization. Second, an indication of the complexity of the relationship between individualism and collectivism within trade unionism is given, something that is entirely ignored by proponents of the thesis that unions should concentrate solely on appealing to individuals.

Exchange or Covenant? The Nature of the Member‐Union Relationship

“…Many have called on unions to place greater emphasis on individual services (Bassett and Cave 1993) because it has become more difficult to demonstrate significant gains at the collective level and also because the workforce is allegedly becoming more individualistic (Williams 1997). However, while individual services may be attractive to some members, there is a concern that such a reemphasis may come at the expense of collective representation and risk undermining unions’ traditional appeal (Waddington and Whitston 1997).…”

Globalisation contested

“…However, the changing practices of the unions themselves reveal much about the character of contemporary change in the workplace. UK and US trade unions have responded to challenges by becoming individual service providers for their 'consumers' , thus reinforcing individualisation and excluding contingent and non-standard workers (Williams, 1997). Stabilising and protecting core workers has the effect of further destabilising the already precarious contract workforce.…”

Usages et conceptions des organisations syndicales chez les enseignants du second degré : une comparaison France-Angleterre

“…Le faible développement du syndicalisme de service, où pour bénéficier d'un service un individu doit être membre, s'inscrit en contraste avec une version universelle du syndicat et contribuerait à expliquer la faiblesse des taux de syndicalisation en France. La redéfinition des adhérents comme consommateurs d'un service offert par le syndicat à ses membres, comme on l'observe dans le servicing model, pose cependant le problème du « participation paradox » : malgré des taux de syndicalisation élevés, la participation reste souvent faible (Bassett et Cave, 1993 ;Edwards, 2007 ;Williams, 1997). Comme on l'a vu, cette figure du consommateur de services ou « simple membre » en demande de conseil juridique est d'ailleurs revendiquée par les enseignants anglais, qui mettent à distance tout engagement syndical ou militantisme, en contraste avec leurs homologues français davantage susceptibles d'adhérer à une conception politique du syndicat (y compris lorsqu'ils ne sont pas adhérents).…”