Workers and the Demand for Trade Unions in Europe: Still a Relevant Social Force?

Abstract

In many European countries since the 1980s there has been a considerable decline in union density. Using the European Social Survey, this article examines whether declining union density reflects declining worker demand for the protective and enabling functions traditionally provided by union membership. Results indicate that a substantial majority of respondents believe that employees need the protection of strong unions. Irrespective of the respondent's occupational level, the extent of job autonomy, gender, age or political orientation, positive attitudes towards unions are consistently in the majority. The results show not only the persistence of a strong belief in the necessity for trade unions but a strengthening of this conviction among employees since the early 1980s.

Do European trade unions foster social solidarity? Evidence from multilevel data in 18 countries

“…However, they fail to account for the second face of unions, as a ‘sword of justice’ (Flanders, ), which played a central role in early union growth and development, and continue to be the basis for their representative legitimacy and institutional support. Ignoring the role of unions as social agents also fails to address why popular support for unions remains high and has increased in recent decades (D'Art and Turner, ). PRT, in turn, recognises unions as agents of social justice, but it does not offer a satisfactory explanation for trends of labour market dualism.…”

Union responses to the rise of precarious youth employment in Greece

“…Many scholars have argued that young workers are not less predisposed towards unions than their older counterparts (Bearfield, 2003; D' Art and Turner, 2008; Freeman and Diamond, 2003; Gomez et al ., 2002; Hart Research Associates Inc., 1999; Haynes et al ., 2005; Madland and Logan, 2008; Pollert and Tailby, 2009; Waddington and Kerr, 2002). Hence, it has been postulated that low youth trade union density is not an attitudinal issue.…”

Negotiating alone or through the union? Swedish employees’ attitudes in 1997 and 2006

“…However, the perceived need for the union was still high in 2006 -six out of 10 employees agreed that unions are needed for successful negotiations with the employer. Other contemporary studies also support these results (see Bengtsson, 2008;D'Art and Turner, 2008). In 2006, 37 percent agreed that they prefer to take care of negotiations individually.…”

“…Neither in 1997 nor in 2006 are they less inclined to agree that the union is needed in negotiations. This is supported by European survey data -employees below 25 years are actually the most supportive of the statement that strong trade unions are needed to protect their working conditions and wages (D'Art and Turner, 2008). And, in the light of the analyses of the 2006 data, the higher proportion of temporary contracts among the young seems to make them more assertive of the need for union support in negotiations with the employer rather than having an individualizing effect on their attitudes.…”