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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?