Chapter 3: The right to representation Flashcards
Trade unions
Trade unions are legally recognised groups of workers of those in the same profession who have joined together in order to:
- Protect their rights
- Have an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to rights in the workplace
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to pay and what?
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to:
- Pay
- Conditions
What do most trade unions in the UK date from?
Most trade unions in the UK date from the:
1. End of the 19th century
Or,
2. Early part of the 20th century
Most trade unions in the UK date from the end of the 19th century, or the early part of the 20th century.
Initially, where did the members of trade unions belong to?
Initially, the members of trade unions belonged to specialist skilled trades
Most trade unions in the UK date from the end of the 19th century, or the early part of the 20th century.
Initially, the members of trade unions belonged to specialist skilled trades.
Example
For example, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE)
Trade Union Congress
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is a national body representing most trade unions in the UK to:
1. Discuss
2. Promote
the rights of trade unions
When was the Trade Union Congress (TUC) formed?
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) was formed in 1868
When were trade unions formally legalised?
Trade unions were formally legalised in 1871
An early example of action being taken by a largely female union leadership
An early example of action being taken by a largely female union leadership is the Match Workers’ Strike in 1888
What did the Trades Dispute Act of 1906 do?
The Trades Dispute Act of 1906 exempted trade union funds from being taken in compensation by:
1. Employers
2. Others
,as a result of their union actions
In 1926, what did the Trade Union Congress (TUC) do?
In 1926, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised a General Strike
In 1926, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised a General Strike, calling all unions belonging to the Trade Union Congress to bring their workers out on strike.
More recently, the 1970s was a period of what?
More recently, the 1970s was a period of large-scale:
- Industrial unrest
- Union action
More recently, the 1970s was a period of large-scale industrial unrest and union action.
During the 1970s, how many working days were lost each year to strike action?
During the 1970s, 21.9 million working days were lost each year to strike action
More recently, the 1970s was a period of large-scale industrial unrest and union action.
During the 1970s, 21.9 million working days were lost each year to strike action.
What phrase was used in 1979 to describe the impact of union action?
The phrase ‘Winter of Discontent’ was used in 1979 to describe the impact of union action
During the 1980s, Conservative governments under Margaret Thatcher did what?
During the 1980s, Conservative governments under Margaret Thatcher passed legislation to curb the:
- Power of trade unions
- Impact of their actions
During the 1980s, Conservative governments under Margaret Thatcher passed legislation to curb the power of trade unions and the impact of their actions.
What happened, in 1984?
In 1984:
- A miners’ strike was called
- The government, which owned the coal mines at the time, were determined that the strike would not succeed
In 1984, a miners’ strike was called and the government, which owned the coal mines at the time, were determined that the strike would not succeed.
What happened?
The:
- Government prevailed
- Miners were forced back to work
The trade unions formally did what in 1900?
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900.
What do many trade unions have?
Many trade unions have political funds
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900.
Many trade unions have political funds and donate money to support the Party.
What are the Labour Party’s largest source of income?
The Labour Party’s largest source of income are the trade unions
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900.
Many trade unions have political funds and donate money to support the Party.
The Labour Party’s largest source of income are the trade unions.
For many years, what were the trade unions in the UK?
For many years, the trade unions were a major political force in the UK
When did trade union membership in the UK peak?
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979 at 13 million.
Where does it now stand?
Trade union membership in the UK now stands at just over 7 million
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979 at 13 million.
It now stands at just over 7 million.
What has happened in recent years?
In recent years, the number of trade unions has declined
In recent years, the number of trade unions has declined as many have merged to form larger bodies.
Where do the trade unions have more members?
The trade unions have more members in the public sector than the private sector
In the UK, most trade unions belong to who?
In the UK, most trade unions belong to the Trade Union Congress
In the UK, most trade unions belong to the Trade Union Congress.
There are some trade unions that what?
There are some trade unions that do not belong to the Trade Union Congress
There are some trade unions that do not belong to the Trade Union Congress.
Examples
For example, the:
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
- British Medical Association (BMA)
What regulate the action trade unions can take in support of their members?
Laws regulate the action trade unions can take in support of their members
Laws regulate the action trade unions can take in support of their members.
Example
For example, if they wish to strike, the members must vote for the action in a secret ballot
Laws regulate the action trade unions can take in support of their members.
For example, if they wish to strike, the members must vote for the action in a secret ballot.
What can one group of workers not do?
One group of workers cannot take strike action to support another group of workers already on strike
One group of workers cannot take strike action to support another group of workers already on strike.
What is this called?
This is called secondary action
Secondary action
Secondary action is when a worker not directly involved in a trade dispute takes action to support other workers
Strike
A strike is:
1. The withdrawal of one’s labour
Or,
2. Refusing to work
Why do people join trade unions?
People join trade unions for a variety of reasons
People join trade unions for a variety of reasons.
Why do many people join a trade union?
Many people join a trade union:
- For protection
- To safeguard their rights
- To have someone to turn to and speak on their behalf
People join trade unions for a variety of reasons.
Many people join a trade union for protection, to safeguard their rights and to have someone to turn to and speak on their behalf.
What can trade union membership also give members?
Trade union membership can also give members:
1. Social
2. Financial
benefits
Trade union membership can also give members social and financial benefits.
On joining a trade union, what does a member have to do?
On joining a trade union, a member has to pay a regular subscription
Single Union Agreement
A Single Union Agreement is when at some places of work, the employer has agreed that the workforce can only join one union
What does a Single Union Agreement ensure?
A Single Union Agreement ensures that the employer has only one union with which to negotiate
Most trade unions in the UK date from the end of the 19th century, or the early part of the 20th century.
Initially, the members of trade unions belonged to specialist skilled trades and they could afford to pay a what?
Initially, the members of trade unions:
- Belonged to specialist skilled trades
- Could afford to pay a reasonable membership fee
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to consultation on what?
Trade unions want an organisation to:
1. Speak
2. Negotiate
on their behalf with employers in regard to consultation on major workplace changes
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to consultation on major workplace changes, such as what?
Trade unions want an organisation to:
1. Speak
2. Negotiate
on their behalf with employers in regard to consultation on major workplace changes, such as workers being made redundant
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to their members’ what?
Trade unions want an organisation to:
1. Speak
2. Negotiate
on their behalf with employers in regard to their members’ concerns with employers
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to supporting members in what?
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to supporting members in:
1. Disciplinary
2. Grievance
meetings
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to providing members with what?
Trade unions want an organisation to speak and negotiate on their behalf with employers in regard to providing members with:
1. Legal
2. Financial
advice
Most trade unions in the UK date from the end of the 19th century, or the early part of the 20th century.
Initially, the members of trade unions belonged to specialist skilled trades.
For example, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE), formed in when?
For example, the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE), formed in 1851
Trade unions were formally legalised in 1871, following a Royal Commission that agreed there were what?
Trade unions were formally legalised in 1871, following a Royal Commission that agreed there were advantages to both:
1. Employers
2. Employees
in the existence of trade unions
In 1926, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised a General Strike, calling all unions belonging to the Trade Union Congress to do what?
In 1926, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised a General Strike, calling all unions belonging to the Trade Union Congress to bring their workers out on strike
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900.
Many trade unions have political funds and donate money to do what?
Many trade unions:
- Have political funds
- Donate money to support the Party
The trade unions formally established the Labour Party in 1900.
Many trade unions have political funds and donate money to support the Party.
The Labour Party’s largest source of income are the trade unions.
For many years, the trade unions were a major political force in the UK, but since 1979, what has been in decline?
For many years, the trade unions were a major political force in the UK, but since 1979, their political influence has been in decline
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979 at what?
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979 at 13 million
Trade union membership in the UK peaked in 1979 at 13 million.
It now stands at just over 7 million.
In recent years, the number of trade unions has declined, as many have what?
In recent years, the number of trade unions has declined, as many have merged to form larger bodies
There are some trade unions that do not belong to the Trade Union Congress.
For example, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with how many members, and the British Medical Association (BMA)?
For example, the:
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with over 400,000 members
- British Medical Association (BMA)
There are some trade unions that do not belong to the Trade Union Congress.
For example, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with over 400,000 members and the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents who?
For example, the:
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with over 400,000 members
- British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors
There are some trade unions that do not belong to the Trade Union Congress.
For example, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with over 400,000 members and the British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors and has how many members?
For example, the:
- Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with over 400,000 members
- British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors and has 140,000 members
One group of workers cannot take strike action to support another group of workers already on strike.
This is called secondary action and was outlawed by what?
This:
- Is called secondary action
- Was outlawed by the Employment Act of 1990
