Working for the Union

This book is a study of the relationship between full-time union officers and shop stewards across the whole of British industry (public and private, manufacturing and services) in 1986-91. It is the first major study of union officers for 20 years, and one of the most detailed studies of workplace collective bargaining and union organization following the recession of the early 1980s. In the wake of recession, union decline, industrial restructuring, anti-union legislation, and changes in union policies (towards a 'new realism'), Britain is said by some commentators to be entering 'a new industrial relations'. This book provides a unique body of evidence that throws new light on this claim, and casts serious doubt on its validity. It combines survey, interview, questionnaire and observation data and thus overcomes the well-known limitations of both large-scale surveys and individual case studies.

Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. Introduction: trade unions and industrial relations; 2. Theoretical analyses and empirical studies of trade union officers; Part II. The Parameters of Union Work: 3. Full-time officer organisation; 4. Employment relations; 5. Work relations; Part III. The Full-Time Officer at Work: 6. Organising; 7. Bargaining objectives; 8. The bargaining process; 9. Dealing with managers; Part IV. Conclusions: 10. Working for the union.