Topic Five, Part 11 - Trade Unions

Question 1

What are trade unions?

Answer 1

Organisations that represent people at work

Question 2

What do unions do?

Answer 2

• Negotiation
• Information and advice
• Member services

Question 3

How are trade unions financed?

Answer 3

A subscription

Question 4

What is a craft trade union?

Answer 4

To represent skilled workers

Question 5

What is an industrial trade union?

Answer 5

To represent the members of one particular industry

Question 6

What is a general trade union?

Answer 6

Recruit workers from all types of industries , with any level or range of skills

Question 7

What is a white-collar trade union?

Answer 7

Represent office workers

Question 8

Why is collective bargaining a reason to join a trade union?

Answer 8

• campaign for worker rights
• improve worker and manager
  communication

Question 9

How do members benefit from joining a trade union?

Answer 9

• Job satisfaction

- Improved benefits for unemployed

Question 10

How does the issues a trade union cover be a reason to join?

Answer 10

• Range of issues covered

- change government policy

Question 11

What are single union agreements?

Answer 11

Agreement betweenemployerand union that the union represents all workers at a workplace

Question 12

What are the advantages to employees of single union agreements?

Answer 12

Employees together- greater power

No disagreement- one union

Question 13

What are the advantages to employers of single union agreements?

Answer 13

One union - discussions clear
Better working relationship
Disputes solved quickly

Question 14

What issue did trade unions pose to the government in the 70’s?

Answer 14

In 1974 Coal Miners Union strike brought down the Government

After TU legally had to give notice of strikes

Question 15

How has unionisation of the workforce changed over the last 30 years?

Answer 15

Half of workforce unionised down to 27%

Question 16

Why has there been a decrease in workforce unionised?

Answer 16

Decline in heavy industries and rise of part-time, self-employment and zero-hour contracts

Question 17

What are trade unions like today?

Answer 17

Promote partnership between employers and employees to achieve common goals

Question 18

What is collective bargaining?

Answer 18

When employers that recognise unions will negotiate with it over members conditions

Question 19

What is a no strike deal?

Answer 19

A union gives up the right to strike

Question 20

How do no strike deals benefit the union?

Answer 20

• A business wont see the union as hostile
• regular communication
• commitment for regular workforce training

Question 21

How do no strike deals benefit the managers?

Answer 21

An employee will be expected at work unless ill

Question 22

What is the Confederation of British Industry?

Answer 22

• The counterpart of the Trade Unions

- Provides information to the government on policy issues affecting businesses.

Question 23

How can employees obtain shares?

Answer 23

Employees may be rewarded shares

1 share = 1 vote at Annual Meeting

Question 24

What are quality circles?

Answer 24

Regular short meetings between employees during work

Question 25

What factors determine if there are harmonious employer/employee relations?

Answer 25

• If consultation is driven from the top and genuine

- Accepting views won’t always be accepted

Question 26

What is industrial action?

Answer 26

Trade unionsor other organised labour attempt to reduce workplaceproductivity

Question 27

What are types of industrial action?

Answer 27

Strike
Non-cooperation
Slowdown

Question 28

What happens during strikes?

Answer 28

Workers select day to not go work.

Workers paid out of trade union’s strike fund or not paid

Question 29

What are work councils?

Answer 29

Formal meeting between managers and employees to discuss work issues

Question 30

What is employee participation also known as?

Answer 30

Industrial democracy

Question 31

What is employee participation?

Answer 31

Employees can participate in decision making

Question 32

What are the Costs to a business for recognising a union

Answer 32

• Slower Decision making
• Increase short term costs
• Although better long term productivity

Question 33

What is non-cooperation?

Answer 33

Workers refuse to do anything they do not approve of

Question 34

What happens during work to rule?

Answer 34

Workers follow rules exactly as the contract states which is inefficient, but isnt breaching the contract

Question 35

What is go-slow?

Answer 35

Deliberately slow down production, without breaching contract

Question 36

What is an overtime ban?

Answer 36

No overtime is taken to decrease production

Question 37

What is primary picketing?

Answer 37

Its illegal. Union members strike outside a firms entrance to persuade other workers not to cross it

Question 38

What is secondary picketing?

Answer 38

Its legal. Workers on strike try to get workers from other firms to join

Question 39

What can lead to conflict within a business?

Answer 39

• Poor wages
• working conditions.
• bad management

Question 40

What is a consultation?

Answer 40

Employees give views which are not taken, but considered.

Question 41

What is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration service?

Answer 41

Guidelines to avoid manager and employee conflict

Question 42

What is involved in the Advisory part of ACAS?

Answer 42

Information to all employees and employers

Question 43

What is involved in the Conciliation part of ACAS?

Answer 43

Talk to both sides to resolve issue nicely

Question 44

What is involved in the Arbitration part of ACAS?

Answer 44

ACAS arranges for an independent group to make a compromise for business conflict

Question 45

What is the summarised process of a issue going to ACAS?

Answer 45

• Employees report issue to HR department
• If unresolved ACAS get involved.
• If ACAS not successful - industrial action takes place