LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY:TRADE UNIONS

What you will learn:1. The rights and responsibilities of Trade Unions2. Reasons for and against joining a union3. How members participate in unions4. How members are represented in unions5. The role of the Shop Steward6. Representation of women and ethnic minorities in

unions.

What is a Trade Union? Trade unions are organisations that try to

protect the rights of workers. They are specialist PRESSURE GROUPS

that focus on employers and employees.

ACTIVITY: 1. Copy this aim: To understand what Trade Unions are and what they do.2. Read the sheet on the background of Trade Unions and answer thequestions in sentences.

Trade Union “Heads and Tails”!ACTIVITY: Which groups of workers (red) would the following Trade Unions

(yellow) represent?

Educational InstituteOf Scotland

Schools andColleges

UNISON

Transport andGeneral Workers’

Union

Fire Brigade Union

Train drivers

Fire Fighters

Local CouncilWorkers eg.

janitors

Trade Union Structure

STUC / TUCCONFERENCE

GENERALSECRETARY

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE

ANNUAL UNIONCONFERENCE

DISTRICT OR REGIONAL OFFICE (local headquartersof union)

BRANCH(in the workplace)

SHOP STEWARDRepresents workers In the workplace.

MEMBERSIn the workplace

ACTIVITY: Read the sheet“Trade Union Organisation” and answer the questions in

sentences.

Delegatesfrom ALL TradeUnions attend

Agrees theUnion’s

national policies

Sends delegates to National Conference

Pay fees to union inreturn forrepresentation

Elected leaderof the union

EXTENSION: TextbookStudy Figure 4.1 on page 27

And read Trades UnionCongress and TU Membership

On page 28.Then answer Qs 7 to 9 on p27.

Rights and ResponsibilitiesAIM: To understand the rights and responsibilities of trade unions and theirmembers.Draw a grid like the one below:

TRADE UNION RIGHTS TRADE UNIONRESPONSIBILITIES

MEMBERS’ RIGHTS MEMBERS’RESPONSIBILITIES

Now write the following statements into the correct box on your gridRecruit members

Ask about changes inwages and conditions

Take industrial actionto protect workers’

rights eg. strike

Elect the localShop Steward

Have unions representthem in any disputewith management

Take part inIndustrial action

Not put pressure onpeople to join

Not makeunreasonabledemands or

threatsHold a secret ballotfor industrial action

and ensure it is peaceful and lawful

To vote in the electionof the Shop Steward

Report problems tothe Shop Steward

To act within the lawwhen participatingin industrial actionTIP: You should have

three entries in EACH box on your grid.

EXTENSION: Write aShort speech that youwould make to TradeUnion members to tellthem about their rightsand responsibilities asUnion members.

How did you do?TRADE UNION RIGHTS TRADE UNION RESPONSIBILITIES

MEMBERS’ RIGHTS MEMBERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruit members

Ask about changes inwages and conditions

Take industrial actionto protect workers’

rights eg. strike

Elect the local Shop Steward

Have unions represent them in any dispute with management

Take part in Industrial action

Not make unreasonabledemands or threats

Hold a secret ballot for industrial Action and ensure it is peaceful and lawful

To vote in the electionof the Shop Steward

Report problems tothe Shop Steward

To act within the law when Participating in industrial action

Not put pressure on people to join

WHAT CAN TRADE UNIONS DO TO HELP THEIR MEMBERS? Sometimes, employers and employees fall

out with each other, eg over wages or hours of work, safety. This is called an INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE.

The Trade Union would try to NEGOTIATE with the employer to resolve the problem.

If they are unable to find a solution, the union can take INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Types of Industrial Action

STRIKE: workers refuse to work for a period of time.

PICKET (right): A small group of union members can protest outside their place of work

WORK TO CONTRACT: workers carry out no duties other than those in their contract.

OVERTIME BAN: workers agree to work only the number of hours agreed in their contract.

ACTIVITY: Read “Trade Union Action” on p29/31 and Restricting Union Action” on p31 in your textbook

Answer questions 1 to 4 on p31

INDUSTRIAL ACTION – FIRE FIGHTERS STRIKE 2002

The Fire Fighters Strike

In May 2002, the FBU (Fire Brigades Union) began a campaign for a 40% increase in wages.

The employers (local councils) said they could not afford this.

They said a big increase could only be agreed if the Fire Fighters agreed to modernise.

The Fire Fighters disagreed and went on strike, refusing to attend fires and emergencies.

Fire Fighters Strike 2002

The dispute continued for over a year, although the after several strikes these were stopped by the FBU.

After lengthy negotiations, the employers agreed to give a 16% increase in wages over three stages in return for some modernisation of the service.

Who do think came off best in this dispute and why?

ACTIVITY: Industrial Action

Copy this aim: To understand the types of industrial action trade unions can take.

Choose one of the Case Studies on pages 32/33 and answer the appropriate questions on page 33.

When finished – 3 pupils will report back to the class on their case studies, explaining:

WHO was involved in the dispute. WHY there was a dispute. WHAT action the union took. What the RESULT of the dispute was (who won?).

EXTENSION: Choose another Case Study and answer the questions.

Should workers always join a union? Since 1979, the power of Trade Unions has

been greatly reduced by the government. Some workers now feel there is little

advantage in joining a union because they are not as powerful as in the past.

Others believe that they still offer protection for workers against bullying by employers.

We will now look at the arguments FOR and AGAINST joining a Trade Union.

WHY JOIN A TRADE UNION?TASK 1: Look at the following arguments – decide which are FOR and which as AGAINST joining a union. Write your answer as a table.

TASK 2: Read page 30. Then answer Qs 5 and 6 on page 29. For Q 5, choose THREE of the benefits to write about.EXTENSION: Would you join a trade union in the future? Write a paragraph explaining why you would or would not join..

Negotiate (discuss) better pay andconditions with employer

Some people believeunions have too much

power.

Wage rises go to everyone so even nonmembers get advantageswithout joining

Already have good payand conditions so donot need union to negotiate

Being part of a big groupmakes it difficult foremployers to “pick on”their staff.

Legal backing and advice is available

to members

SHOULD WORKERS JOIN A TRADE UNION? FOR AGAINST

Negotiate (discuss) better pay andconditions with employer

Some people believeunions have too much

power.

Wage rises go to everyone so even nonmembers get advantageswithout joining

Already have good payand conditions so donot need union to negotiate

Being part of a big groupmakes it difficult foremployers to “pick on”their staff.

Legal backing and advice is available

to members

What do you think? Would YOU join a trade union?

PARTICIPATION BY UNION MEMBERS

Copy this aim: To understand how trade union members can participate in the work of their union.

Trade Union members can participate in a variety of ways in their Union.

Q: Why is it important as many members as possible participate in the work of a trade union?

These can be on a DAY TO DAY basis, or at times when there is an INDUSTRIAL DISPUTE between the union and the employer.

ACTIVITY: Copy and complete the diagram on the next slide to show how members can participate in their union. Use a full page.

DURINGDISPUTES

DAY TO DAY

PARTICIPATION BY MEMBERS IN TRADE UNIONS

BOTH

Vote for unionofficials eg.

Shop Steward

Vote for secretballot, eg. For

a strike.

Communicate with the media

Take part in industrialaction, eg. strike,

go slow

Attend unionmeetings

Pay membershipfees

EXTENSION: Read page 35 in your textbook and answer questions 1 to 5 on page 36

PARTICIPATION…..?

PARTICIPATION: Test your understanding! Read the story about Craig Brewster’s search

for a new job. See if you can find up to EIGHT examples of

how he PARTICIPATED in his trade union.

REPRESENTATION IN TRADE UNIONS

How do trade unions represent their members?

INDUSTRIALACTION

PROVIDE SERVICES

DEAL WITHGRIEVANCES

TRADE UNIONREPRESENTATION

Provide legal help for members who

are unfairly dismissed

Go on strike to wina compromise pay deal with employers

Take workers concernsto management eg.

over health and safety

WHO REPRESENTS TRADE UNION MEMBERS?

THE ROLE OF THE SHOP STEWARD Copy the heading above and the aim below:

AIM: To understand what how a Shop Steward represents trade union members.

TASK 1: Use the yellow box on page 34 to make a spider diagram on “The qualities of a Shop Steward”. Use coloured pencils.

TASK 2: Read the fact file on Shop Stewards on page 34 and answer Qs 2, 5 and 6 on p35. Q6 is an ENQUIRY SKILLS question.

Increasing female membership in unions. Collect the sheet from your teacher aboutincreasing female membership in trade unions.

Read it carefullyand answer thequestions in sentences.

Percentage of union members and officials by gender - 2004

0 20 40 60 80 100

All members

Shop Steward

FT Regional

FT National

National Executive

General Secretary

Women

Men

What does this chart tell us about women in official positions within trade unions?

Why are women under represented in official positions

in trade unions?

Which of your points are SOCIAL (attitudes, family) and which are ECONOMIC (money, type of job) reasons for the under representation of women?

Under representation of women in official positions Task 1: copy and complete this table SOCIAL REASONS ECONOMIC

REASONS

Family commitmentsprevent some

women giving a lotof time to their

union

Women more likelyto be in low paid

work so might notbe able to afford fees

Sexist men unlikely tovote for a female

shop steward

Women more likely towork part time –less likely to join

A union

Some trade unions are dominated bymen – intimidating

for women

TASK 2: Read page 36 Of your textbook.Answer questions 7 to 9 On the same page.

Reasons for under representation of women SOCIAL ECONOMIC

Sexist men unlikely tovote for a female

shop steward

Some trade unions are dominated bymen – intimidating

for women

Women more likely towork part time –less likely to join

A union

Some trade unions are dominated bymen – intimidating

for women

Family commitmentsprevent some

women giving a lotof time to their

union

Ethnic Minorities and Trade Unions

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

White Asian Chinese

Ethnic Group

Proportion of ethnic minority workers who are members of trade unions - 2004

ENQUIRY SKILLS: Using the chart above, what conclusions can you make aboutthe membership levels of ethnic minorities in trade unions? (Highest and lowest?)

Ethnic Minorities and Trade Unions Percentage of trade union members by ethnic group, UK

2004 White 93.9% Mixed 0.6% Asian or Asian British 2.6% Black to Black British 2.1% Chinese or other 0.8%

ENQUIRY SKILLS: What conclusion can you reach about the representation of ethnic minorities in trade unions using the table above?

Why do you think ethnic minorities are under represented in trade unions?