Trade union research: for what purpose?

Hofmann, Julia

doi:10.1007/s11614-017-0259-5

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The research method used in our study did not allow to answer the above-mentioned question directly, but we tried to give some hypothetical explanations. Firstly, the age distribution of trade union members is not representative to the general population and even less to the age distribution of teleworkers [31]. In general, in case if telework is voluntary (which was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic), teleworkers are reported to be younger than their office-based colleagues, but trade unions are having problems attracting younger people already for years [15,31].…”

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D a U T H O R P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Firstly, the age distribution of trade union members is not representative to the general population and even less to the age distribution of teleworkers [31]. In general, in case if telework is voluntary (which was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic), teleworkers are reported to be younger than their office-based colleagues, but trade unions are having problems attracting younger people already for years [15,31]. The proportion of elderly people involved in trade unions is higher than in the average working population and, therefore, members do not longer represent the average workers [31].…”

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D a U T H O R P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, in case if telework is voluntary (which was the case before the COVID-19 pandemic), teleworkers are reported to be younger than their office-based colleagues, but trade unions are having problems attracting younger people already for years [15,31]. The proportion of elderly people involved in trade unions is higher than in the average working population and, therefore, members do not longer represent the average workers [31]. The results of the worker survey carried out in Latvia in 2018 within the national study "Work conditions and risks in Latvia" show that the prevalence of having trade unions in their company increases along with the increase of the age of the respondents (workers) [32].…”

Section: U N C O R R E C T E D a U T H O R P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transition to the forced telework – a challenge for trade unions identified by the study on working life with COVID-19 in Latvia

Matisāne

Paegle

Vanadziņš

et al. 2022

WOR

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BACKGROUND: In general, companies with trade unions perform better in occupational health and safety, therefore, we assume that these companies should have performed better in transition to healthy and safe telework if compared with other companies. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the role of company trade unions on the implementation of telework arrangements in Latvia during the 1st emergency state in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A web-based survey based on snowball sampling method and social media advertisements was used to gather information from teleworkers. After data cleaning, answers from 422 teleworkers reporting having (wTU) or not having trade unions (nTU) in their companies were included in the analysis. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher percentage of workers with teleworking experience in companies with no trade unions (37.4% nTU versus 18.1% wTU). More respondents from companies with trade unions reported buying a new computer and headphones which means that more persons had to invest their finances to be able to perform their work. Workers from companies with no trade unions were more often advised on home office ergonomics (21.2% wTU versus 28.1% nTU). The odds of all analyzed health problems (pain, sore eyes, and anxiety) were increased in workers who reported having trade unions. CONCLUSION: Companies with trade unions were less ready for the forced transition to teleworking. These results contradict the traditional understanding of trade unions as a promoting factor for a healthy and safe working environment.

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Section: U N C O R R E C T E D a U T H O R P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%