3.4 - trade unions

Question 1

trade union definition

Answer 1

an association that represents the interests of the members, aiming to improve their pay and working conditions

- formed by workers of either a company or a type of job to protect the rights of their members
- protects the interest of its members, who have to pay to join

Question 2

types of trade union (4)

Answer 2

• craft union
  
  • represents workers with particular skills
• general union
  
  • includes workers with a range of skills from a range of industries
• industrial union
  
  • represents all workers in a particular industry
• white-collar unions
  
  • represents particular professions

Question 3

role of a trade union (4)

Answer 3

• negotiates on behalf of members on jobs, job security, working hours and working conditions
• tries to protect + improve workers’ rights
• provide information on a range of issues for their members

Question 4

factors affecting the strength of a TU (5)

Answer 4

• high level of economic activity
• a large number of members
• a high level of skilled members
• a consistent demand for the product produced by the workers
• favourable gov legislation

Question 5

industrial action

definition + types (4)

Answer 5

when workers disrupt production to put pressure on employers to agree to their demands

- strike
- work to rule
- go slow
- sit in

Question 6

strike

Answer 6

group of workers stop working to put pressure on employers to agree to their demands
official strike: approved + organised by the TU
strength of strike enhanced by:
- number of strikes
- number of workers involved
- number of working days lost
gov tries to prevent strikes: encourages talks between TU and employers

Question 7

effects of strike

for company and worker

Answer 7

company
    - lose revenue
    - lose productivity
    - lose public image
individual
    - personal cost: stress/pressure
    - poor relationship w employer
    - less sense of belonging to the company

Question 8

work to rule

Answer 8

employees do no more than the bare minimum, reducing output and efficiency

Question 9

go slow

Answer 9

work or progress is deliberately delayed or slowed down

Question 10

sit in

Answer 10

employees occupy an area for a protest

Question 11

advantages of a TU for a worker

Answer 11

• better basic pay
• TU has more power than an individual worker
  
  • can use threat of strike
  • can influence gov
• provides advice if workers feel unfairly treated
  
  • legal advice
• better working conditions
• benefits e.g. training

Question 12

disadvantages of a TU for a worker

Answer 12

• members must pay a fee
• TU may force them to strike
• long strike action can cause firm to go out of business
• TU may be linked to an opposing political party
• not all TUs are powerful