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 local
council 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 action
Explain the restrictions placed upon
unions
Assess the impact these have made on
union activities
Evaluate the effectiveness of union action
2. Collective
Bargaining
3. Overtime
ban
1. Strike
TU Action
5. Work to rule
4. Go slow
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-scotrailchristmas-eve-strike-called-off-after-union-dealreached/
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/97568secondary-school-teachers-vote-for-work-torule-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