Labour Relations

Trade Unions

The Role of Trade Unions

1. Craft unions represent skilled workers from one occupation
2. General unions representing mainly unskilled workers from many occupations e.g. TGWU (Transport and General Workers' Union).
3. Industrial unions representing mainly workers in one industry. E.g. NUM (miners' union)
4. Professional or white-collar unions representing skilled workers in mainly service industries.E.g. NUT (teachers' union).

The Aim of Trade Unions

The Trades Union Congress (UK)

Made up of over 90 unions representing more than 9 million members
An annual conference decides overall union policy and elects the General Council
The General Secretary of the TUC is the trades union spokesman in any negotiations with the government or employers' organisations.

Disputes & Restrictive Practices

Disputes can arise over pay, working conditions, redundancies etc. Restrictive Practices may then follow such as:

Industrial Action

If negotiations break down Unions can:

Work to rule :do the bare minimum
Impose an overtime ban
Strike and refuse to work altogether
Picketing: ask other members not to enter
‘Blacking’: Refusing to deal with certain employees or suppliers because they have refused to participate in Industrial Action
Employers can operate a lockout and refuse workers entry or they can dismiss striking workers for breach of contract

ACAS (UK)

Arbitration is when employers agree to an independent referee to try to find common ground
Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has been available to help solve disputes
In the 1980s and 1990s there have been an increasing number of single-union agreements where employers negotiate with only one union

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