Lecture 9 - Unions

Question 1

How are Unions perceived using Fox’s 3 frames of reference?

Answer 1

1. Unitarians don’t recognise Unions as employees and employers are aligned
2. Pluralists see them as a natural response to the asymmetry in bargaining power and divergent interests
3. Radicalism would want to take it one step further to change society as a whole.

Question 2

Name and define 3 types of union

Answer 2

1. Business - focused on employment conditions
2. Social movements - common within developing countries
3. Corporatist - cooperates with State and Employers to develop policy

Question 3

Name 5 types of union objective

Answer 3

1. Employment security
2. Pay and Conditions
3. Welfare benefits and services
4. Non industrial (civil rights)
5. Membership base

Question 4

Name two types of union strategy

Answer 4

1. Industrial

2. Political

Question 5

Name 4 types of industrial activity by Unions

Answer 5

1. Bargaining
2. Grievance resolution
3. Industrial action
4. Conciliation and arbitration

Question 6

Name five types of political activities by Unions

Answer 6

1. Political affiliation
2. Lobbying
3. Electioneering
4. Public campaigns
5. Working with other pressure groups

Question 7

Name 6 factors of declining union membership

Answer 7

1. Sociological
2. Employment types
3. Political
4. Employer action
5. Unions themselves
6. Economic

Question 8

Name 3 outcomes of declining union density

Answer 8

1. Fewer resources
2. Less legitimacy
3. Less power

Question 9

Name 3 reasons non-SER declines union density

Answer 9

1. Low job security
2. Perception of low return
3. Lower social identity