EXAM QUESTION

Explain, in detail, why many people decide to join a trade union. (KU4)

Participating in a TU protects the worker’s rights eg if there is a problem with pay and conditions, health and safety etc they can ask the shop steward to speak to management on their behalf.• Being part of a union protects the worker eg insurance against injury.• By joining a union the worker will be able to protest more effectively eg thousands of localcouncil workers got a better pay deal by going on strike. One worker striking would not make any difference.

Homework for Friday

• Find out about a Trade Union (TU). Ask parents/ guardians, relatives, neighbours, etc OR do your own research – internet, books, etc.

• 1. Name of TU ?• 2. How much is subscription?• 3. Why do people join this TU?• 4 What group of workers does this

TU represent?

Trade Union Action

Learning Objective

The different actions Trade Unions can take

Success Criteria Give examples of trade union actionExplain the restrictions placed upon unionsAssess the impact these have made on union activitiesEvaluate the effectiveness of union action

TU Action

2. Collective Bargaining

3. Overtimeban

4. Go slow5. Work to rule

1. Strike

1. Strike action

•This is where workers join together and refuse to work

Wildcat or unofficial strike (illegal)Token strike (1 or 2 days)Official strike (after a secret ballot)

Examples of Strikes

• Teachers striking over pensions • UNISON- biggest strike 25 years

• Picketing is a form of protest in which people (called picketers) gather outside a place of work or location where an event is taking place.

• Often, this is done in an attempt to put off others from going in ("crossing the picket line"), but it can also be done to draw public attention to a cause.

• Picketing is a common tactic used by trade unions during strikes, who will try to prevent members of the union, members of other unions and non-unionised workers from working.

• Those who cross the picket line and work despite the strike are known pejoratively as scabs.

2. Collective Bargaining• Collective bargaining is a process of

negotiations between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions.

• The interests of the employees are commonly presented by representatives of a trade union to which the employees belong.

• The collective agreements reached by these negotiations usually set out wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms, and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs.

• E.g. Scotrail strike avoided• http://news.stv.tv/scotland/206717-scotrail-christ

mas-eve-strike-called-off-after-union-deal-reached/

3. Overtime Ban• Working only the hours specified in their contract

with their employers and refuse overtime

• For example the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) started an overtime ban in 2012 in response to proposed pay freezes and changes to pensions

• Fifth largest union in UK with 270,000 members

• Represent workers in government jobs and other private jobs

• http://www.pcs.org.uk/

4. Go Slow• A protest against an employer

in which the workers work as slowly as possible

• In 2010 Binmen in Sandwell, England started a go slow campaign over changes to their pay scales.

• In 2011, Qantas engineers introduced an unusual slowdown where right-handed engineers used only their left hands to operate essential tools

5. Work to Rule• This is when workers will only do what is

required of them contractually and no more

• For example in 2012, The Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) organised a work to rule where members would only work their contracted 35 hours a week from Monday, May 14 2012.

• http://news.stv.tv/scotland/97568-secondary-school-teachers-vote-for-work-to-rule-over-pension-plan-dispute/

TASKS

1. What is collective bargaining?

2. Name three different types of industrial action.

3.What is a ‘wild cat’ strike?

ACAS

• The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) is a government group that tries to solve disputes between employees (trade unions) and employers.

• ACAS does not side with employees or employers, but helps both to reach a settlement in an industrial dispute.

Exam Question Describe two actions which trade union members can take

to support their union during a strike. (KU4)

The first action that union members can take is to join the protest on the day of the strike. This is very important as it gives the union more support meaning that the government and the media will take notice and it may lead to change within the workplace. For example, UNISON, the public sector union are striking over pensions and if more people support the strike they might well win a better pension.

The second action that they could take is not to cross the picket line and support the strike. If you cross the picket line this means that you go to work rather than striking. It is very controversial to cross the picket line as it shows you are not supporting the strike.

Trade Union Game

• Today you will act as if you are involved in an industrial dispute

• Some of you will be employees and some of you will be employers

• Another group will represent ACAS – a government group which tries to resolve industrial disputes.

Trade Union Game

• Employees will negotiate with employers and try to solve the dispute

• If this negotiation fails, ACAS representatives will try to help you solve the dispute