Topic Five, Part 11 - Trade Unions Flashcards
What are trade unions?
Organisations that represent people at work
What do unions do?
- Negotiation
- Information and advice
- Member services
How are trade unions financed?
A subscription
What is a craft trade union?
To represent skilled workers
What is an industrial trade union?
To represent the members of one particular industry
What is a general trade union?
Recruit workers from all types of industries , with any level or range of skills
What is a white-collar trade union?
Represent office workers
Why is collective bargaining a reason to join a trade union?
- campaign for worker rights
- improve worker and manager
communication
How do members benefit from joining a trade union?
- Job satisfaction
- Improved benefits for unemployed
How does the issues a trade union cover be a reason to join?
- Range of issues covered
- change government policy
What are single union agreements?
Agreement betweenemployerand union that the union represents all workers at a workplace
What are the advantages to employees of single union agreements?
Employees together- greater power
No disagreement- one union
What are the advantages to employers of single union agreements?
One union - discussions clear
Better working relationship
Disputes solved quickly
What issue did trade unions pose to the government in the 70’s?
In 1974 Coal Miners Union strike brought down the Government
After TU legally had to give notice of strikes
How has unionisation of the workforce changed over the last 30 years?
Half of workforce unionised down to 27%
Why has there been a decrease in workforce unionised?
Decline in heavy industries and rise of part-time, self-employment and zero-hour contracts
What are trade unions like today?
Promote partnership between employers and employees to achieve common goals
What is collective bargaining?
When employers that recognise unions will negotiate with it over members conditions
What is a no strike deal?
A union gives up the right to strike
How do no strike deals benefit the union?
- A business wont see the union as hostile
- regular communication
- commitment for regular workforce training
How do no strike deals benefit the managers?
An employee will be expected at work unless ill
What is the Confederation of British Industry?
- The counterpart of the Trade Unions
- Provides information to the government on policy issues affecting businesses.
How can employees obtain shares?
Employees may be rewarded shares
1 share = 1 vote at Annual Meeting
What are quality circles?
Regular short meetings between employees during work
What factors determine if there are harmonious employer/employee relations?
- If consultation is driven from the top and genuine
- Accepting views won’t always be accepted
What is industrial action?
Trade unionsor other organised labour attempt to reduce workplaceproductivity
What are types of industrial action?
Strike
Non-cooperation
Slowdown
What happens during strikes?
Workers select day to not go work.
Workers paid out of trade union’s strike fund or not paid
What are work councils?
Formal meeting between managers and employees to discuss work issues
What is employee participation also known as?
Industrial democracy
What is employee participation?
Employees can participate in decision making
What are the Costs to a business for recognising a union
- Slower Decision making
- Increase short term costs
- Although better long term productivity
What is non-cooperation?
Workers refuse to do anything they do not approve of
What happens during work to rule?
Workers follow rules exactly as the contract states which is inefficient, but isnt breaching the contract
What is go-slow?
Deliberately slow down production, without breaching contract
What is an overtime ban?
No overtime is taken to decrease production
What is primary picketing?
Its illegal. Union members strike outside a firms entrance to persuade other workers not to cross it
What is secondary picketing?
Its legal. Workers on strike try to get workers from other firms to join
What can lead to conflict within a business?
- Poor wages
- working conditions.
- bad management
What is a consultation?
Employees give views which are not taken, but considered.
What is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration service?
Guidelines to avoid manager and employee conflict
What is involved in the Advisory part of ACAS?
Information to all employees and employers
What is involved in the Conciliation part of ACAS?
Talk to both sides to resolve issue nicely
What is involved in the Arbitration part of ACAS?
ACAS arranges for an independent group to make a compromise for business conflict
What is the summarised process of a issue going to ACAS?
- Employees report issue to HR department
- If unresolved ACAS get involved.
- If ACAS not successful - industrial action takes place
