trade unions

Question 1

What is a trade union?

Answer 1

an organization that utilises collective bargaining to represent workers’ interests and protect worker rights.

Question 2

In which industries are trade unions still powerful?

Answer 2

1) industries with a small number of employers eg manufacturing
2) industries that don’t have pressure to be internationally competitive and thus keep costs low

Question 3

What does trade union power depend on?

Answer 3

trade union density

Question 4

What is trade union density?

Answer 4

refers to the proportion of the workforce that is union members

Question 5

What does ‘assuming closed shop’ mean

Answer 5

The market consists of the monopsony and the trade union only so there is a bilateral monopoly

Question 6

what are the reasons for a fall in trade union power?

Answer 6

1)legislation Trade Unions act 2016
2) increase in flexible labour markets
3) deindustrialisation
4) globalisation

Question 7

How does globalisation lead to a fall in trade union power?

Answer 7

1) reduced bargaining power of workers
2) pressure to keep costs low to maintain international competitiveness

Question 8

What are some of the rules in the Trade Unions Act 2016

Answer 8

1) Unions must now give employers two weeks notice of industrial action instead of one
2) industrial ballots must attract a 50% turnout in order for their results to be legally valid

Question 9

What actions can trade unions take?

Answer 9

working to rule: employees do the miniumum required work
overtime bans
go slows: employees working slowly on purpose